QUESTION: Can anything be done about oily skin? I think that it is causing my breakouts. I am not a teenager anymore.
ANSWER: Adult acne has many causes. Stress, hormonal changes, and diet all contribute. There are three major components that cause acne: P. Acnes bacterium, excess dead skin, and overproduction of oil.
With a liquid facial cleanser and your fingers or a freshly laundered washcloth, wash your face in the morning. Apply witch hazel (Hammaleis water). Since the government sets the formula, use the cheapest. Apply an acne treatment containing salicylic acid, Retinol, or alpha hydroxy acid. Dot on an acne spot treatment. Now the magic -- use a Mattifier. These products soak up excess oil and keep your face from being shiny. Apply a mineral makeup that does not contain fillers that will clog your pores.
At night, wash your face TWICE. The first cleansing removes the grime of the day. The second cleans the pores. Rinse well. Apply an acne treatment. To dry up pimples, dot on an acne spot treatment or try the following cheap treatments. Buy the least expensive milk of magnesia or calamine lotion. Again, these formulas are standard. Shake well and pour out about one tablespoon. Apply dots of the product on oily pimples with a Q-tip. Do NOT put the Q-tip into the bottle. You can contaminate the contents.
