Clear Skin Guaranteed
July 2008
THE PROBLEM: OIL You’re constantly fighting shine, your skin is greasy to the touch and your makeup never lasts past noon.
QUICK FIX: Avoid heavy, oil-based makeup, says Joanna Schlip, a celebrity makeup artist for Physicians Formula who has worked with Jessica Simpson and Ellen Pompeo. Instead, choose a light-to-the-touch foundation -we like Vichy Laboratories Normateint Anti-Imperfection Foundation, $25, a skin-friendly formula made for oily skin. After spreading foundation evenly over your face with a synthetic brush, dab on pressed powder using a sponge or puff to help absorb excess oil. Rather skip powders and foundations? Try powder-free blotting papers such as M.A.C Blot Film, $15, a beauty-editor favorite.
LONG-TERM ACTION PLAN: “Cut down on the number of steps in your skin-care routine or risk aggravating oil production,” says Dr. Mark Lupin, a Victoria-based cosmetic dermatologist. Adding too many lotions or washing your face more than twice daily can leave you with an even bigger oil slick. Instead, cleanse morning and night with an over-the-counter glycolic-or salicylic-acid wash such as Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser, $31, or Dr. Lupin’s pick, NeoStrata Gel Cleanser, $25. “It dissolves the keratin, which is what’s plugging up your oil glands,” he says. Follow morning and night with a light, oil-free moisturizer. FLARE’s pick: Dermalogica Active Moist, $46.
AT THE DERM’S OFFICE: “The best way to impact oil,” says Dr. Lupin, “is to slow down its production.” He recommends prescription vitamin A creams and gels, such as Retin-A and Tazorac. One tube costs about $30-$60 and last 2-3 months (apply once a day 2-3 times a week). Photodynamic therapy, or Blu-U light treatment, is another way to reduce the activity inside oil glands. “Most patients see results after 6-8 treatments (one every three weeks at $275 per session).” But the favorite fix with Hollywood starlets is the SilkPeel, $475/pkg of 3 treatments. “This microdermabrasion treatment is particle-free and uses diamond heads to gently remove the dead-skin surface layer,” says Dr. Lupin. “It’s especially effective in combating oil when combined with a salicylic-acid infusion.” Dr. Lupin recommends one treatment every two weeks.
SKIN TIP: Avoid a high-sugar diet, which is believed to increase oiliness and encourage acne flare-ups.
