OTC product suggestions for oily skin?
I keep getting all these whiteheads on my face and my skin is extremely oily. I sometimes use soap or nothing on my face. Is there something that I can use before I go to the dermatologist?
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1212 posts
25 Jun 2009
Hi Skin so oily,
Sadly, I, too, have pretty oily skin. Although I doubt any OTC products will actually decrease your oil production, here's how I handle my skin:
1) I don't dry it out. I thought for awhile that blasting my skin with harsh products and depriving it of moisture would make it less oily. I was wrong. It made my skin oilier, and I started having bad breakouts. Now I use a gentle cleanser twice a day and use a light moisturizer after I wash my face (less lotion on the T-zone).
2) There are cosmetic primer products out there to control shine on your face, but I use these sparingly. If not applied with care, your skin texture can end up looking uneven.
3) I use oil-free, matte foundation. Those "luminous" or "radiant" foundations make oily skin look ridiculously shiny, so stick to something matte.
4) If my face gets too oily throughout the day, I use blotting sheets, primarily on my nose, chin and forehead. A little light pressed powder makeup on the T-zone helps, too.
5) I exfoliate with a good lactic/glycolic acid combo at least once a week to promote healthy cell turnover and keep pimples under control. I spot treat pimples with salicylic acid.
Products I use:
- Olay Gentle Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
- Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin - Body Shop Shine Control Serum - Lola Refine Shine Anti-Shine Gel
- Laura Mercier Oil-free Tinted Moisturizer (instead of regular foundation)
- Ren Skincare Glycolactic Skin Renewal Mask
- Aveda Outer Peace Acne Spot Relief
- Blotting papers (I've used a variety of brands, including Sephora, Victoria's Secret, and Bath & Body Works, all with the same result). In a pinch, I've even used a piece of those tissue toilet seat covers, available in public restrooms near you ;)