- Cleanse twice daily with a mild cleanser. Using only
your fingertips (no washcloths or scrubbing pads, please) thoroughly
cleanse the face, including your jaw line, neck, and in front of and
behind the ears. Use a gentle foaming cleanser, such as Dove or
Neutrogena or, if you have inflamed breakouts, choose a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide. Do a double-wash at every cleansing: Cleanse, rinse well, and repeat.
- Use a toner or astringent.
Apply toner to a cotton ball or pad and gently smooth over the face
and neck to remove any leftover makeup or cleanser residue, and excess
oil. Choose an alcohol-free toner if your skin seems overly dry.
Alcohol can be drying and irritating for some people, especially to skin
that is already irritated by breakout activity.
- Apply any acne medications or creams, if needed.
After your toner has dried completely, smooth on your treatment creams
as directed. This could be a medication prescribed by your doctor, or
an over-the-counter acne gel or cream. Let the medication absorb or dry
completely before proceeding to the next step.
- Apply an oil-free moisturizer or gel.
It may seem counterintuitive to moisturize your already oily skin, but
don't skip this important step. Many acne medications over-dry the
skin, leaving the skin thirsty for moisture. To reduce the chance of
dry and peeling skin, apply a light moisturizer twice daily.
Moisturizing gels and lotions are generally lighter than creams. Either
way, choose one that is labeled oil-free and noncomedogenic.
If toners or astringents seem to over-dry your skin, don’t use them. You aren't going to harm your skin by not using a toner.
Always let the skin dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
What You Need
- A gentle cleanser
- Toner or astringent
- Cotton balls or cotton pads
- Topical acne medications or creams
- Moisturizing lotion or gel
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