How To Clear Up Oily Acne Prone Skin

In our last Back to Basic Skincare Series we looked at how to implement a minimalistic skincare routine for dry and dehydrated skin with the right products. In this blog, we are reviewing a minimalistic skincare routine for oily and acne prone skin types and sharing with you the best products and formulations to keep your skin healthy and looking its best!

We know how difficult it can be to care for and balance out an oily skin type. The challenge is even greater for those suffering from regular acne breakouts. Although we can't make them disappear overnight, there are ways to diminish their appearance and get your skin to be less reactive with a concise and effective regime. In order to achieve those results, we need to clear up some popular myths surrounding excess oil production and breakouts.

Oily or combination skin types are genetically predisposed. This is the type of skin that you were born with and not a condition you can treat and cure. Oily skin types exist when there is an overproduction of sebum from the sebaceous glands of the dermis which gives a shine and greasy look to the skin. This hyperactivity produces excess oils that overfill the pores and enlarge them. The sebum in the pores mixes with dirt and bacteria. Dead skin cells get trapped and form blackheads and whiteheads under the surface of the skin. Blackheads and whiteheads are a different type of skin condition collectively known as acne.

The best way to address oily skin types and reduce acne is to follow a routine that helps balance out the oil production on the skin while keeping it well hydrated and avoid any disruption on the dermis barrier. Avoid the use of any harsh or drying products such as alcohol and other astringents, or irritating ingredients like menthol, lemon, eucalyptus as well as, aromatic oils and solid rich formulations such as bar soaps that clog the pores, making matters worse by exacerbating the oil secretion on the skin.

For a simple and effective skincare regime we recommend the following steps:

Mini Skincare Routine - Combination Oily Acne skin

STEP 1: Cleanser

Cleanse your skin twice daily, in the morning and night, using a mild water-soluble facial cleanser to remove excess oils and avoid buildup in the pores. As mentioned above, avoid any aggravating ingredients and/or harsh scrubs and cleansing tools. Remember, the tingling sensation does not equal cleaner skin, it's a sign of irritation that is not good for any skin type.

Our picks:

Clean & Clear daily pore cleanser oil free
Garnier skinactive micellar foaming gel cleanser combination to oily skin, even sensitive
Cerave renewing SA cleanser
Kiehls ultra facial cleanser for all skin types

Oil-Free Daily Pore Cleanser, PRP AED 59, available at fruugo.ae

Micellar Gel Face Wash Sensitive Skin, PRP AED 18, available at asos.com

Ultra Facial Cleanser, PRP AED 90, available at kiehls.ae

STEP 2: Toner

This is one of the most important steps of this routine, a well formulated, alcohol-free exfoliating toner will replenish your skin with antioxidants and calming ingredients, minimize the appearance of enlarged pores and remove any residues of makeup or dirt that could possibly clog the pores. An exfoliating toner that contains BHA's such as salicylic acid is a fantastic fit for oily skin types as it is oil soluble and can get deep down in the pores unclogging them from the roots and keeping those black and white heads at bay.

Our picks:

COSRX BHA blackhead power liquid
Bioderma sebium pore refiner
The Inkey List PHa toner
Derma e soothing toner with anti-aging

Bha Blackhead Power Liquid, PRP AED 120.15, available at carethy.net

Sebium Pore Refiner, PRP AED 80, available at noon.com

Anti-Wrinkle Toner, PRP AED 119, available at fruugo.ae

STEP 3: Moisturiser

Contrary to common belief, oily skin types need to stay well hydrated to keep the dermis acting and looking healthy. Proper levels of hydration on the skin are fundamental to keep it functioning and regenerating at is best. To learn more about the differences between dehydrated and dry skin check our first Back to Basics skincare instalment. When choosing a moisturiser focus on an oil-free, lightweight water-based formulation, that will effectively hydrate your skin without clogging your pores or leaving a heavy and greasy feeling to it.

Our picks:

Clinique moisture surge hydrating lotion
Glow Recipe watermelon glow pink juice moisturizer
Elf oil control liquid lotion
Drunk Elephant f-balm electrolyte waterfacial

Moisture Surge Eye™ 96-Hour Hydro-Filler Concentrate, PRP AED 189, available at sephora.ae

Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer, PRP AED 89, available at cultbeauty.co.uk

Oil Control Liquid Lotion, PRP AED 76, available at amazon.ae

STEP 4: SPF

Nowadays they are so many elegant and sophisticated sun block formulations that are oil free and non-comedogenic. The Gaggler prefers products in a lotion form that contain the active ingredients zinc oxide and or titanium dioxide which have been proven to prevent acne breakouts. In addition, proper sun protection helps you prevent any pigmentation scaring.

Our picks:

Shiseido ultimate sun protection SPF 50 sunscreen + wetforce for sensitive skin + children
Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Naked Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Neutrogena ultra sheer face sunscreen SPF45
La Roche Posay anthelious 50 mineral ultra light sunscreen fluid SPF50 face

Expert Sun Protection Lotion Wetforce SPF50+ Face And Body, PRP AED 160, available at sweetcare.com

Max Mineral Naked Broad Spectrum SPF 45, PRP AED 139.58, available at revolve.com

Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF45, PRP AED 114, available at noon.com

STEP 5: Specific treatments and serums

If you suffer from acne prone skin and regular breakouts you would want to introduce a treatment serum on your regime that contains benzyl peroxide to help regulate oil production during the day while reducing redness and inflammation; and a retinol serum to keep skin clear and rejuvenated at night time. Other great ingredient you can include in your regiment is the powerful antioxidant niacinamide that helps out with the appearance of enlarged pores, while also soothing and calming the skin and providing anti-aging benefits.

Our picks:

Drunk Elephant framboise glycolic night serum
The Ordinary Niacinamide 2%
Proactiv emergency blemish relief
La Roche Posay effaclar duo corrective unclogging care

Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, PRP AED 390, available at noon.com

Niacinamide Plus Zinc Serum, PRP AED 99, available at noon.com

Emergency Blemish Relief, PRP AED 212, available at noon.com

Effaclar Duo[+] Corrective Unclogging Care, PRP AED 81, available at caretobeauty.com