ciBack in high school and college, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elyse Love struggled with nodulocystic acne or severe, painful cysts. It’s a good thing that she doesn’t have that big of a problem anymore.
However, Dr. Love still takes into account her oily skin when shopping for skincare products. If you’re someone who has suffered from acne, you know that the fear of pimples sprouting back up would never go away. As someone with oily skin, Dr. Love swears by these products for her face care routine.
Cleanser
The kind of cleanser Dr. Love uses varies depending on the status of her skin. But one thing in common is that it should always be a gentle formula. During winter, Dr. Love uses moisturizing cleansers such as Cerave Hydrating Cleanser and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Cleansing as these have hyaluronic acid. In the Summer, cleansers like PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash or Glamderm Glycolic Clarifying Cleanser are her best bet to control extra oil.
Hydrating Serum
After using the Vichy Minéral 89 Face Serum, Dr. Love noticed that her skin has become more tolerable. This particular serum contains special mineral-rich water that is only found in Vichy, France. It is also formulated with hyaluronic acid.
Prescription-Strength Azelaic Acid
Since Dr. Love also has skin pigmentation, one of her go-to ingredients to remedy that is azelaic acid. It prevents the overproduction of your pigments but doesn’t affect normal supply. It also helps create even skin complexion. In the winter, you only apply a few times a week, while twice a day should be the frequency for summer days.
Oil-Free Vitamin C Serums
An excellent supplement for skin brightening is vitamin C, which you can apply to your skin. Many serums are in oil-based formulas, but these can cause breakouts. Don’t forget to choose the oil-free and non-comedogenic types.
Moisturizer
Just like how she rotates cleansers, Dr. Love also uses different moisturizers depending on the season. Look for products that are oil-free and non-comedogenic, as these won’t clog your pores. She usually sticks with brands that she deems “derm-friendly” like Neutrogena, La Roche-Posay, and SkinBetter Science.
SPF
Probably the most crucial part of a routine centered on pigments is a good SPF. You absolutely have to apply SPF to help prevent the risk of skin cancer. For protection against high UVA, UVB, and visible lights, wear the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection SPF 50.
Retinols
In buying retinol solutions, you can use either prescription or over-the-counter ones. Dr. Love usually uses prescription 0.06% and 0.08% retin-a-micro nightly. However, it made her skin more sensitive and dry, so she started to use Obagi Clinical Retinol 0.5% Retexturizing Cream, which can be purchased over the counter, in most nights.