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6/23/10

Reader's Request ~ Skincare Kit For Oily/Combination & Acne Prone Skin

This was requested by a very sweet reader Priyanka J, who has Oily/Combination & Acne-prone skin.

I believe a skincare routine should be simple, when it comes to problem skin. If you have acne, it's better not to confuse your skin more by switching from product to product and "irritate" it
When I get a big pimple sometimes, I feel it has a mind of its own. Like it's saying to me "Don't you let those things gang bang me, or else....=[" =D


Here are the products I'd pick (and I do use most myself) for Oily/combination & Acne Prone skin.

~ Cleansers ~
First and foremost, you have to get a cleanser that is very well suited for your skin type. A childhood friend of mine have been suffering from acne for most of her life - face and body! And the last time I saw her, there wasn't a pimple on her face and she was glowing! So, I asked her what she used. She told me that she read in a magazine that "when you have acne, it's better to use a Foam Cleanser rather than a gel-based one" (hehe...I hope she read this =D)
She then started using Pond's Flawless White Facial Foam, and it made all the difference.
Other cleansers you can use......



Cetaphil when pimples are at their peak and hurt. You gotta have one with salicylic acid like Clean & Clear cleansers for acne.


~ Toner ~



Whether to use toner or not is totally up to you. I would normally just use Rose Water. Sometimes I like to spritz rose water on an ice cube an rub it all over my face. Doing this really shrink my pores and make my skin feel smooth But I've been using the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 for a while now and I haven't broken out since, so I'm not very sure if it made the difference, or if it's because I've been lazy about applying anti-aging creams lately. Anti-aging creams tend to break me out sometimes. I've used some other toners as well, but I don't miss them when I don't use them.


~ Moisturizer & Sunblock ~ 
You DO need to use a moisturizer no matter how oily your skin is. When buying a moisturizer the first ingredient listed in the back should be Aqua. That means it's a water based moisturizer. I really like the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel Lotion, it's so light and makes my skin feels dry-touch smooth. I find that fairness and whitening creams also prevent pimples because they are non-oily and mattify the skin. So I like the Pond's Flawless White Visible Lightening Daily Lotion (Review here )

  • Garnier Aqua Defense Essence is amazing for oily skin, but not in India yet. Review here . Similar product is the H2O Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment
  • Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock is oil-free
  • Lotus Herbals Anti Tan Gel Cooling Sunscreen. Review here



~ Exfoliator ~


Scrubbing your skin once or twice a week will get rid of dead skin cells and also reduce your chances of having acne scars. Pick scrubs like St.Ives Scrubs formulated for acne-prone skin. Gramflour (Besan) also makes a good exfoliator. Just mix a tablespoon of it with water and scrub your whole face with the paste.


~ Mask ~


Once a week apply a mask that is specifically for acne like The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Mask. Or you can use a mud mask like Himalaya Mud Pack or Multani Mitti (Fuller's Earth)  mixed with plain water or rose water. Mutani Mitti absorbs excess oil from the skin.


~ Quick Fix & Reliever ~



You should have the Garnier Pimple Pen as it really dries up your pimples faster. Always have the Brihan's Green Leaf Aloe Vera Gel (Review here in your fridge. The aloe vera gel will really calm down any inflammation of the skin and it does make a good cooling face mask too, especially in summers. Just apply a thick layer all over your face, leave for 10 mins and wash off.


When it comes to skincare products, I rarely stray from the ones I'm familiar with and which work for me. So you might want to also try out other products not mentioned here that might work on you.


♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

11 comments:

  1. I KNEW IT...gel-based ones aren't the best for acne-prone skin. I keep telling everyone my skin is allergic to gel-based ones because nobody believes my theory of gel-based ones causing pimples.

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  2. Ohh.. I had no idea that gel based face washes are not good for acne prone skin. They must leave behind a residue.. Actually how would I know? I have dry-combination skin, my acne days are over.

    But a very useful article CZ, for those who have oily skin! :)

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  3. Interesting point on the gel based cleansers! useful for people like me.

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  4. the Brihan's Green Leaf Aloe Vera Gel looks really good. I want to try it one day

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  5. Hmm I dunno about "gel-based" but I believe I'm using a cleanser that is gel in texture. Is that the same thing? LOL.

    I've always used cream cleansers like Pond's or Garnier before but they dried out my skin (my skin is combo/oily too by the way), not to mention they are too perfume-y for me. Since I started using a mild cleanser (it's like Cetaphyl but I got it from my dermatologist), my skin feels a lot better and I got no cystic acne anymore. I do think milder cleanser is best for problematic skin but then again individual experiences may vary.

    Insightful post, Chyntia!

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  6. i started breaking out after using Clinique's 3 step(i am a no.2):( but DDML is still my fav moisturizer also the clarfying lotion apparantly contains alcohol (smells like it too), you should try Lush cleansers they are amazing especially angels on bare skin my skin used to glow wen i was using it

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  7. Priyanka J..
    i have to post a comment like anonymous since m not able to do it other way..:(
    loved this entry totally...thnx so much cynthia..
    i got the mud pack ,the sunblock ,the gulabari,tea-tree mask..!!
    goin tmrw for the tbs gloves and ives scrub and..tbs lip balm tom..yayaee.!.
    howevr is it ok if i stick to the lakme strawberry wash..m gna try the garnier orange next.:(..i cn afford to b a bit lax..
    :)
    (email is the preferred way for me..!!:) hav xpressed more)
    tc:)

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  8. i use most of it, and m really happy with the way you presented it. having an acne prone skin and managing its so difficult, good that you offered a great advice, i love the st ives scrub,they work like magic

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  9. I'm glad it helped u Rentu

    ♥xx♥

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    ReplyDelete

I ♥ finding little notes in my Vanity Case, so do drop one. I read all of them & I try my best to reply to each & every one of them [check back in 2-3 days =D] but most times it's physically impossible! Either way, I love to hear from you & really appreciate you taking the time out to share your thoughts <3

Thank you for reading! :)

♥xx♥