Best Acne Treatment for Oily Skin: Diet & Skincare
I am here to present to you the best acne treatment for oily skin! My run in with puberty during my high school years brought on the frustration and nuisance of teenage acne. I was the kid with a pimply face and oily skin. The combo of nerdy kid with glasses and pizza face was not something you wanted as a high school kid. I thought the horror of acne would end after high school. OH BOY WAS I WRONG!
After college and the start of graduate school, my acne became worse, and I had these annoying white head bumps and black heads that plagued me for years, until recently. I had so many tiny bumps on my face; you could have called me a Nestle Crunch Bar .
I searched and searched for the best acne treatment for oily skin; I used Clean & Clear, Kiehl’s, Clinique, Proactive, and the list goes on and on. The use of these acne products was of no avail. But before I get into the skincare products I use, I wanted to talk a little more about diet as a method to consider for one of the best acne treatment for oily skin.
What you eat and how you take care of your skin plays an important role with improving acne. Adult acne is still a problem for many people, and I want to share my advice on how to reduce acne through diet change as well as the use of acne skin care products. All this information is based on personal experience and personal research.
Tip 1: Avoid eating the following 3 foods
1) Milk
Milk may be linked to the cause of acne. My dermatologist recommended that I avoid drinking milk to prevent the increase of acne. So I have substituted cow’s milk with rice or almond milk as well as take daily calcium supplements. Milk contains hormones, which increase the production of insulin. The overproduction of insulin levels causes an excess of sebum production and therefore acne. Studies have shown that individuals who consumed high amounts of milk possessed higher rates of acne compared to those who consumed little or no milk.
2) Sugar
Similar to milk, consuming high amounts of sugar will increase insulin levels and result in a higher likelihood of acne. So make sure to limit the amount of soft drinks, sugary drinks, cookies, candies and food items that contain corn syrup and refined sugar. Remember, everything in moderation.
3) Junk Food/Fried Foods/Oily Foods
Junk Food/Fried Foods/Oily Foods may not inherently cause acne, but they contain oils that may get on your skin. The additional grease that contacts your skin can clog your pores and trigger acne. Try to limit or avoid these foods and notice the change in your complexion. For me personally, when I eat a bag of chips, I notice a pimple will appear in a few days. I resist the temptation even when I have cravings for junk food.
Tip 2: Use the following skincare products
Click on the product photo to check the price of the products or purchase them on Amazon.
1) The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash
Tea Tree Oil contains antiseptic properties that kill bacteria, treat acne and soothe skin. Use it twice a day (morning and night) and apply it on your face for 30 seconds to 1 minute. The smell of the Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Face Wash is very refreshing; the smell almost reminds me of mint. It lives a tingly sensation on your skin after you wash your face.
2) Shiseido Pureness Balancing Softener
Use the softener twice a day after you cleanse your face. The softener helps to remove impurities on the skin. Also, the softener hydrates your skin as well as calms and soothes the skin.
3) Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment, 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
Use twice a day (morning and night). Apply a generous amount to the affected area after applying the balancing softener. Remember to wear sunscreen after you apply the benzoyl peroxide because it will make your skin sensitive to the sun. I recommend using Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ Wetforce. I’ve been using this sunscreen for ages. It doesn’t clog your pores and it’s lightly scented. The sun cream is light and doesn’t feel heavy on your skin.
4) The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil
When you feel a pimple coming, apply a small amount of tea tree oil to the pimple. Use daily until the pimple dries up. Be careful not to get this in your eye because it will sting.
5) St. Ives Apricot Scrub
Use the Apricot Scrub 2 to 3 times a week. What I like to do is take a nice steamy shower to open up my pores and then apply the scrub on my face for one minute. This scrub will help to exfoliate and remove dead skin for a more radiant look, leaving your skin feeling fresh and smooth.
I usually buy these products from Amazon since they tend to be cheaper. Click on the respective images to purchase these products. When I am about to run out of these products, I order them at the same time so I can receive them in one package; I love the convenience of shopping on Amazon. Invest in these products. Invest in your skin.
Within one month of implementing this skin regimen, I started to notice that the redness on my face reduced and the bumps on my face decreased. My skin became smoother and my pores minimized. Just remember to be consistent with the regimen because that will help you stay on track to a newer and healthier looking complexion. Also, be patient because acne will not disappear overnight. With the combination of eating healthy and using the right skincare products, you will be on your way to becoming acne free! I am extremely happy with the changes I made with my diet and skin care.
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog post on the best acne treatment for oily skin. These methods really helped me and I hope they will do the same for you.