Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine
By Gina Way
Photo Credit: Veronique Beranger
IF YOUR SKIN IS: OILY
Avoid creamy or emollient anything, whether it's mineral oil, shea butter, essential oils, or petrolatum. The key word to look for: non-comedogenic. "Just because a product says it's oil-free doesn't necessarily mean it won't cause you to break out," says Washington, D.C. dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi.
Cleanser: Use a foaming cleanser with a stronger detergent (such as sodium trideceth or lauryl sulfate) to wash off excess oil. Salicylic acid will dissolve sebum, dirt, and dead skin in the pores to help prevent acne breakouts.
MC Recommends: Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Foaming Wash, $5.
A.M. Moisturizer/Sunblock: Sunscreen tends to create an oil slick on your face. Despite this ick factor, daily protection is mandatory. The trick is to find a broad-spectrum sunblock that's oil-free and non-comedogenic.
MC Recommends: Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Daily Face Shield SPF 40, $45.Eye Cream: "Even if skin is oily elsewhere on your face, you need to moisturize around the eyes since there are so few sebaceous glands there," says Tanzi. Stick with a water-based formula with lightweight humectants and silicone-based emollients. These ingredients won't cause blemishes if they migrate down to your cheeks.
MC Recommends: Garnier Ultra Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller, $15.
Antiaging Treatment: A serum can be used on oily skin if it's water-based. "It can even replace your moisturizer if the serum has humectants such as hyaluronic acid or propylene glycol," says aesthetician Di Medlock of NYC's Exhale Mind Body Spa. Look for formulas with multiple ingredients to prevent breakouts and treat hyperpigmentation from acne scars.
MC Recommends: SkinCeuticals Blemish+Age Defense, $78.
Exfoliator: "With oily skin, you can get serious with glycolic and salicylic acids," says Tanzi.
MC Recommends: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel, 30-Count, $85.
P.M. Moisturizer: Opt for water-based lotions or gels with glycolic or salicylic acid. "Silicone-based emollients like dimethicone won't plug pores," explains Alexiades. "They don't have the acne-exacerbating effects of heavy oils."
MC Recommends: mark Break Out Plan Anti-Acne Gel Lotion, $16.
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