Reader’s Request #6

Time to deal with some back-logged Reader Requests!

Today we’re talking skincare routines for acne prones, acne scars, moisturising acne prone skin and how to deal with puffy/bloated faces and eyes.

First one comes from Shane…

I just found your blog, and I have to say it’s one of the most informative I’ve ever seen. You seem like the perfect person to ask for a little help. I have oily/acne-prone skin, large pores and some blackheads on my nose. After reading your suggestions, this is the regimen that I came up with: Day – MAC Oil Cleanser, Clearasil wipes, Avalon Organics C serum and Shiseido Sun Protection Lotion. Night – MAC Oil Cleanser, Clearasil wipes and Olay Regenerist Night Recovery. And then Queen Helene or the Aspirin Masque once a week or so. Will this work, or can you suggest something better? I’m 23 years old, I don’t know if that affects what antioxidants/night creams I need to use.

Hi Shane! This looks like an excellent place to start. I would skip using the oil cleanser in the morning though or you may end up with dry skin. Stick to using it in the PM only and try something gentle like Cetaphil in the morning. The Clearasil wipes contain BHA which will clear out your pores and the Olay product contains Niacinamide which will help with premature ageing and uneven skin tone as well as your acne. Use the night cream sparingly. If you currently have acne try something with a bit more kick like the Proactiv Night Repairing Lotion I reviewed here. The masks are a great idea too, once a week should be plenty.

Remember this is your base routine, feel free to switch things in and out before settling on things you like. Just click on the ‘Acne’ label to take a look at other products that may be helpful to you. As with all routines, read over the ‘Remember!’ warning in my sidebar to the right – introduce new products gradually!

Next up, is a question from Manuel…

Hey, Just out of curiosity and the fact that I frequent your blog like a skin care bible. I was wondering if one should moisturize over drying zits? Usually a taboo matter, my local dermatologist more often than not cringes at the idea of moisturizing in general. More often than not, they just persist on recommending topical treatments, that dries skin on a nuclear scale, leaving it more prone to more acne. Thanks. Looking forward to your reply, and the blogs been a big help. Nowhere close to keeping my skin in check, its getting me there though, one step at a time.

Hi Manuel. I think everyone needs to moisturise, the amount – however – depends on your skin type. Drier skins may need thicker cream moisturisers while oilier skins would probably benefit from lighter lotions or gels. If you deprive your skin of moisture, your skin will overcompensate by creating more oil which can lead to more breakouts. I recommend moisturising your face lightly with something like cetaphil or a gel based moisturiser like Clinique’s Moisturising Gel about 20 minutes after applying your acne medication at night to keep your skin hydrated. If you’re only talking about one or two zits, don’t moisturise them until they’ve dried slightly.

David asked..

Is there anything you can do to reduce puffyness/fat in your face? I think have the bone structure to have a defined facial bones, but my skin has lots of baby fat/puffyness in it still (i think). I’m 19 (same guy as reader request #3).

David, i’m not much older than you are and I can assure you that as you grow older your face becomes more defined and you’ll continue to lose the baby fat that makes you look so young! There are a few things you can do to eliminate any other possible causes of a puffy face though, I’ve listed them below. This is also good if you have inexplicably puffy eyes.

• Drink more water. A puffy face can be a sign of your body retaining fluid due to your not drinking enough water.
• Lose weight. If you’re generally chubby then you’ll have a fuller face. Try eating healthily and exercising to reduce that bloat, there are no specific exercises you can do for your face – just general weight loss will do the trick.
• Cut down the amount of salt in your diet. Excess sodium will cause bloating that includes facial bloating – try and avoid salty foods wherever you can.
• Cut down on refined sugar and wheat. A puffy face is sometimes called ‘carb face’ which is slightly misleading. It’s true that too many unrefined sugars and white bread can make your body bloat but instead of cutting carbohydrates out of your diet simply switch to wholegrains instead.
• Try not to eat carbohydrates after 9pm, old hollywood trick. Basically it allows your body to digest your food before you sleep which should prevent bloating the morning after.
• Include more potassium through your diet. This will help to deflate a bloated face, top foods include bananas and watermelon (which also contains lots of water so it’s a 2-in-1 when it comes to fighting the bloat!).

Finally, Basil emailed and asked…

My acne has been clearing up well, however there are still pigmentation marks and open pores on the healed areas. I also get like a few isolated pimples (pustule?) like once a week or so. What should I buy to treat the scars, pigmentations and opened pores (besides laser therapy)? Also how to prevent future breakouts? Lastly, is there an exfoliant scrub and mask/masque that you would recommend for oily, acne-prone skin? Is the one from kiehl (what I’m currently using) good?

Hi Basil, try a BHA product in order to keep your pores nice and clean. Supplement that with a weekly mask containing kaolin, sulphur or both. As for scars and pigmentation, try an AHA product in conjunction with a good sunscreen. Remember, none of your scars will fade if they’re tanning in the sun every day!

You can buy very good AHA and BHA products from Paula’s Choice, Acne.org also does a good AHA lotion. For sunscreen click on my ‘Sunscreen’ label to decide which one will suit you best, Shiseido is great for oilier skin. You can supplement your routine with a product containing Niacinamide which both fights future acne and fades old acne scars. Try using Olay Regenerist serum underneath your moisturiser at night or under your sunscreen in the morning.

As for your last two questions, click on the ‘Masques’ and ‘Exfoliators’ labels on the right for suggestions! The DDF Sulfur masque is a personal favourite of mine, as is a new product i’m trying called Dermalogica Microfoliant (review to come soon!).

Well that’s all for the Reader’s Requests! If you have a question you’d like answered, simple email me at SCforM@hotmail.co.uk!