Finding balanced skincare for acne-prone skin can be frustrating. If you don't use moisturizer, even oily skin can seem dried out or flaky, especially if you are using topical acne medications. If you moisturize too heavily or too regularly, your skin will feel greasy all day. You can only imagine how difficult this search for balance would be for a person who has combination skin. Figuring out which ingredients to look for or refrain from in a moisturizer, or how to deal with changes in skin due to acne treatments or age, can give you more challenges.
It might seem obvious, but oily, acne-prone skin does not need more oil layered on top of it, even if it does need moisture. As a matter of fact, very oily skin shouldn't need to be moisturized at all. This is especially true for people with adult acne. Many people can benefit from a pea-sized dollop of moisturizer, even if they have breakouts. You should keep an eye out for water-based moisturizers formulated for oily or breakout-prone skin.
Your first order of business in treating your acne inflammation should be to use an over-the-counter benzyl peroxide cream, a natural skincare product like tea tree oil or a prescription treatment such as retinol. These products should be applied first, after cleaning your face, to permit the ingredients to penetrate the skin and do their job.
Be advised that using exfoliating acids in moisturizers such as, retinol, salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid, along with topical acne creams can cause flaking and peeling of the skin. On the other hand, too much of a good thing can throw your skin out of whack in the opposite direction and make it itchy and irritated.
Some natural ingredients can be irritating or cause a reaction in some users, just like man-made ingredients. Plus, there are no rules for what is natural and what is not natural. Follow these steps and you'll be on on the path to fresher more vibrant skin in no time!
Is there anything else you would like to know about skincare? If you want to learn more about skincare tips and how a moisturizer can help you, contact Likewise Skincare today!