Combination Skin Acne Treatments

Clearing acne on combination skin, which is both dry and oily without causing additional breakouts or irritation, will certainly be a challenge, but not impossible. Before getting into the actual acne treatment options, let's look at what generally characterizes combination skin.


CHARACTERISTICS OF COMBINATION SKIN WITH ACNE

For someone with combination skin the T-zone, which is the area across the forehead and down the nose to the chin, is generally oilier than the rest of the face. In addition, this area has larger pores and more sebaceous glands. Pimples usually present themselves in the T-zone.

The outer part of the face, cheeks in particular, might be flaky and tend towards being dry.

Combination skin must be balanced and it does require more care than normal skin. Deep cleansing and regular exfoliation must be done in order to keep blemishes to a minimum and/or ultimately achieve clear skin. Water-based products are the best choice for this type of skin.


COMBINATION SKIN ACNE TREATMENTS

To insure you don't make matters worse, it is critical to use products that are formulated for acneic combination skin. It might be necessary to use different products on different portions of the face. For example, you might need oil-absorbing products for the T-zone and hydrating creams for the dry cheeks. In addition, it might require an acne treatment on a certain portion of the face and a moisturizer on a drier area.

Cleanser - Be sure to select a cleanser that is formulated for combination skin. You could also opt for a cleanser that has some exfoliating properties to help remove the dead skin cells. Cleansers containing alpha hydroxy acids would fall into this category.

Exfoliation - Blemishes occur inside the pores and salicylic acid is an ingredient that is a much more gentle and great option for exfoliating the pore than using something like benzoyl peroxide.

Toner - We all know that toners don't tone a thing, but they do serve a purpose. A toner will remove any residue of cleanser or dirt, along with closing the pores, which will minimize the entry for bacteria. Although a toner containing alcohol is a temptation, steer clear and opt for one that is gentle with an anti-irritant like chamomile.

Low-Dose Benzoyl Peroxide Cream - Benzoyl peroxide cream comes in various strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10%. If the acne were in both the dry and oily portions of the skin, then it would be best to use the 2.5% to avoid excessive drying of the skin. If the acne is only located in the oily portion of the skin, you could work your way up into higher benzoyl peroxide percentages. Gently feather the cream into the acne areas using the fingertips; rubbing it in might cause irritation.

Water-Based Moisturizer - Use a water-based moisturizer after using a product containing benzoyl peroxide. It will help to avoid excessive drying. In addition, this type of moisturizer won't clog the pores or cause additional irritation. Once again, it's best to feather the moisturizer onto the face rather than rubbing it on.

Weekly Mask - Apply a mixture of dry oatmeal and unpasteurized honey to the face for 20 minutes. The oatmeal will help to reduce the oil, while maintaining proper moisture levels of the skin.

Another option to consider is using two different masks. One for the oily, acneic skin and the other for the dry. If you decide to go with this option, then you might want to use a clay-based mask or one with tea tree oil for the oily T-zone skin. For the dry skin, opt for a hydrating mask that contains hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E. and carotene.

Oil-Blotting Sheets - A great little item to have on hand to quickly rid the face of excess shine are oil-blotting sheets. A great little invention that sucks up the oil in lickety split time.