I have learned so much from your blog. Thank you for starting this blog and sharing your knowledge with us. I am 29 years old and still fighting with acne. As my age is getting older I have started to worry about anti aging skin issues too. How can I a set up a regimen both for ‘acne and anti aging’ at the same time? In your last post you set up a skincare routine, can you also do it for acne+anti aging? With your own recommended products?  Is Retin-a one of the elements that should be used in this regimen?  Or would it be benzoyl peroxide with some other ingredients, or would glycolic acid be enough? I will be very glad if you enlighten me Which path should be followed?

Thank you thank you thank you very very much in advance.

I hope you never give up this blog, it’s a real treasure for skin care problems.

Best regards,

Ayse S

Hello Ayse,

My favorite anti-aging and acne treatment combination skin care regimen is based on glycolic acid.  This combination of skin care needs is exactly why I made my Glycolic Acid Kits.  These kits are designed to fit the different skin types and become the key active ingredient to address both skin problems.

Click here to see my Glycolic Acid Facial Skin Care Kits

You then build on top of this regimen to meet your other skin care needs such as 1.  Sun protection (a key anti-aging step), 2.  Additional collagen building products, 3.  Skin hydration as needed.

For sun protection, my SunSavvy Daily Wear Kit has a great oil free products.  There’s Citrix for every day use and Solbar Zinc for those wet and sweaty outdoor activities.

Click here for my SunSavvy Daily Wear Sun Protection Kit

Glycolic acid is a great anti-aging ingredient that helps skin build collagen if you use only products that are strong, professional strength products – like mine!  I’ve written an article explaining the science of how glycolic acid can benefit skin health for anti-aging, wrinkle fighting skin care.  Click here to read it. 

For additional anti-aging, collagen building, anti-wrinkle skin care treatment products (phew!), the best results (in my opinion) come from professional vitamin C products or prescription tretinoin cream (Retin-A).

CRS is the product that I think is the best Vitamin C skin care product made.  It has liposome encapsulated, stable L-ascorbic acid vitamin C in a wonderful base that feels fantastic on the skin.  I usually have patients use it during the day under their sunscreen.  They then use their glycolic acid product at night.

Click here to see CRS

To read about how I combine glycolic acid and tretinoin skin care regimens read my post How Do You Combine Retin A and Glycolic Acid for Anti-Aging Skin Care? In that post you will also find a link to my very specific method for using tretinoin; there are some really helpful tricks for successfully combining this tricky combination.

Whether you chose CRS or tretinoin as your additional collagen boosting skin care ingredient, I recommend adding Replenix CF Cream (or Replenix Power of Three) to your regimen too.  In my dermatology practice,  I have my patients use this ultra-high concentration green tea antioxidant product twice a day after washing their skin, and before applying their other skin care products.  I’ve found that it helps quite any irritation that may develop from either of these combination regimens.  It also has anti-oxidant benefit and the key ingredients in this product (caffeine and green tea antioxidants) have also been shown to reduce skin cancer formation in the lab, which is a fantastic benefit that I love to incorporate.

Click here for Replenix CF Cream

The easiest way to get all the benefits of this skin care regimen is to combine one of my Glycolic Acid Facial Kits and my Antioxidant Kit.  You’ll also get Replenix Scrub this way which is a wonderful exfoliating scrub for that ‘instant gratification’ glow you get from exfoliating twice a week.

Click here for my Anti-Aging Antioxidant Skin Care Kit

If you still need additional skin hydration, chose one of the Glycolix Face Creams to ‘dial in’ the right skin hydration for those drier areas of your facial skin.

Click here to see the Glycolix Face Creams

So there you have it!  Combining the right Glycolic Anti Aging Kit for your skin type with my Antioxidant Kit gives you ‘state of the art’ anti-aging skin care for both your acne and anti-aging skin care needs.

BTW, thank you for your lovely comment about my blog.  Writing it has become a passion for me and, god willing, I’ll do it as long as I’m able.

Cheers,

Cynthia Bailey MD, Dermatologist

If you have questions about skin care or skin health please send them to me using the Contact Dr. Bailey button at the top of the page.

Disclaimer: Please realize that availing yourself of the opportunity to submit and receive answers to your questions from Dr. Bailey does not confer a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Bailey. The information provided by Dr. Bailey is general health information inspired by your question. It should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem (and is not an extension of the care Dr. Bailey has provided in her office for existing patients of her practice). Never ignore your own doctor’s advice because of something you read here; this information is for general informational purpose only.

What’s The Best Anti-Aging and Acne Skin Care Product Regimen? is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

Right about now that New Year’s Resolution enthusiasm might start falling off.  I’m noticing, for example, that it’s getting easier to find a parking spot at my gym.  My own resolution (to use my power exam tables to always move a patient into a good position for my back before I begin a procedure) didn’t get done 100% of the time yesterday. My nurse gave me a gentle reminder and it helped.  We know what’s good for us, let’s stick it out.  We need to support each other, and I’m hoping this post helps to support you.  I care, and if improving your diet was your 2012 New Years Resolution, hang in there, your skin will reward you.

‘You are what you eat’ and now, more than ever, there’s mounting medical evidence that this is true for your skin.  You probably have at least one skin problem that you’d love to fix – include diet in your treatment plan.  Really???  YES!

We know:

• Acne improves on a fruit & veggie rich diet low on junk, sugars, meats & dairy,
• Psoriasis in now linked to the same diet risk factors as heart disease and diabetes,
• Beauty is rated more highly when a person has beta carotene rich skin (which comes from eating orange and green leafy veggies),
• UV skin damage is lessened when skin is loaded w/ dietary antioxidants,
• Non-melanoma skin cancers thrive when you eat a high fat diet,
  

Dermatologist’s Diet Advice For Healthy Skin

Eat organic and fresh because nutrients start breaking down the minute food is harvested.  Organically grown foods have more to begin with (they ‘are what they eat’ too).  Click here to read Diet Recommendations for Healthy Skin

Eat lots of beta carotene foods because they make you beautiful (and healthy).  My absolute favorite nutritional ingredient for beauty is beta carotene because it functions like a self-tanner, giving your skin a beautiful golden glow.  I always eat a healthy dose of carrots, winter squash or dark green veggies to keep my pale skin naturally ‘bronzed’. Believe it or not it works!  Click here to read Skip The Tan And Eat Your Veggies For Beautiful Skin Color

Eat lots of omega 3 rich foods because they rock for fighting inflammation.  Inflammation is the instigator of all sorts of mischief from psoriasis and acne to heart disease and strokes.  The modern western diet is low in omega 3 and high in it’s evil counterpart Omega 6.  Tip the balance in your body and see how different you look and feel.  Click here to read Age Beautifully, Fight Cancer and Prevent Heart Disease By Adding Flax Seeds To Your Diet

Eat your vitamin D.  Don’t damage your skin with sun exposure in pursuit of this important vitamin.  This is the one vitamin I actually take in capsule form.  Click here to read Are You really Getting Vitamin D From The Sun Or Just Nuking Your DNA?

Eat a diet that has more veggies than anything else to reduce inflammation (including skin inflammation like rosacea, acne, eczema, psoriasis).  We diet geeks believe that a plant based diet loads your body with vital, bioavailable nutrients in exactly the form that your human body is designed to use.  No multivitamin pill can compare!  Click here to read The Alkaline Mediterranean Diet, A Magic Wand For Overall Health And Beauty

Eat naturally fermented, probiotic rich foods every day to keep your digestive track healthy.  I suspect that this little secret is one of the biggest under-appreciated necessities for physical health.  Your digestive track helps you absorb the right nutrients and excrete any harmful toxins in your food (like mercury).  My favorite probiotic food is naturally fermented kefir because it’s loaded with beneficial probiotics. Click here to read Kefir, The Best Probiotic For Healthy Skin.

Eat less refined carbs, dairy and junk food to prevent acne. Yes, we dermatologists finally have diet advice for you if you suffer from acne.  Click here for 4 Diet Changes That Can Help You Improve Your Acne, Dermatologist’s Advice

Eat foods rich in natural spices! Yes, I’ve never posted on the subject of spices and health, but the scientific evidence is mounting. Spices are starting to join the ranks of healthy diet super heroes.  Some of the best are turmeric and cinnamon.  I try to cook with turmeric every week and I add cinnamon to my morning cup of green tea matcha.  I promise to post on spices later this year.

So, let’s stick it out with our New Year’s Resolutions.  We know what’s good for us.  I’ll use my power tables and demonstrate excellent ‘self care’ at work.  If diet was your resolution, hang in there.  You’ll like the results on your skin, I promise you!

Photo: Thanks and Gratitude to TheBittenWord

The Best Diet for Healthy Skin In 2012 is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

I am 42 with quite good skin and not a big problem yet with wrinkles.  I do suffer from tight feeling skin and lumpy skin with blackheads.  My skin mainly looks very dull and uneven.  My skin is quite tolerant.

I’m confused what products would be best.

I am ordering some of your body care products but would love to know what skincare products would be suited for me to order.

Many thanks for your help.

Kind regards
Helen W

Hello Helen,

One of my favorite places to start with skin care that brightens skin and decreases blackheads is glycolic acid.  It also helps to even skin color and reduce wrinkles, which are otherwise part of everyone’s future as our skin ages.

The simplest way to add glycolic acid to your skin care is to use one of my Glycolic Acid Anti-Aging Kits such as this one for ‘normal’ skin.   I have different kits based on skin type (normal and combination, oily or dry).  These kits come with the Buf Puf Facial Sponge that gives an instantly brighter exfoliated look to skin.  Patients love this product combo.

Glycolic Acid Anti-Aging Kit For Normal Skin

Remember, it’s also important to use a mineral sunscreen every day to help prevent darkening of uneven hyperpigmentation and worsening of wrinkles.  My favorite mineral zinc oxide sunscreen is Citrix, which I’ve personally worn every day for years.

The product sequence of this regimen is:
Morning:

1. Cleanse with Glytone Mild Gel Wash and the Buf Puf Facial Sponge
2. Apply Citrix Sunscreen

Evening:

1. Cleanse with Glytone Mild Gel Wash with or without the Buf Puf
2. Apply the Glycolix Elite 15% Face Cream with glycolic acid

Eventually, as skin adjusts to the glycolic acid, it’s often possible to apply the Glycolix 15% Face Cream under the Citrix Sunscreen during the day too.  It takes at least few weeks for skin to adjust and be ready for twice daily glycolic acid so I typically start patients once a day.

For the ultimate state-of-the-art skin care regimen though it’s possible to use the Glycolic Acid Anti Aging Kit and an Antioxidant Kit. This gives all the benefits of antioxidant skin care (reduces inflammation and potential free radical skin damage, reduces wrinkles by acting on at the cellular level in your skin and further evens skin color), includes the Citrix Sunscreen mineral sun protection, plus you’re getting the skin brightening and blackhead reduction that comes from the glycolic acid products.

For example, a person with normal skin would use the Glycolic Acid Kit for Normal Skin that I mentioned above, and an Anti-Aging Antioxidant Kit

Anti-Aging Antioxidant Kit

The product sequence of this regimen is:
Morning:

1. Cleanse with Glytone Mild Gel Wash and the Buf Puf Sponge.  Twice a week use the Replenix Scrub in place of the Glytone Gel Wash
2. Apply Replenix CF Cream
3. Apply CRS
4. Apply Citrix Sunscreen

Evening:

1. Wash with Glytone Mild Gel Wash without the Buf Puf sponge
2. Apply Replenix CF Cream
3. Apply Glycolix Elite 15% Facial Cream with glycolic acid

With this regimen, the Glycolix is not added during the day because the CRS is applied instead.

The final option to this regimen is to add a moisturizer during the day if you find that there are parts of your skin need even a little more ‘thirst quenching’.  For blackhead prone skin I like Glycolix Elite Face Cream (not to be confused with the one that has glycolic acid!).

Glycolix Elite Face Cream Ultra Lite

This moisturizer goes on just before the Citrix during the day.  At night the Glycolix with glycolic acid doubles as your moisturizer.

These are the building blocks of complete skin care; the products each play a role in improving your skin problems by fighting the signs of aging, protecting your skin, keeping your pores clean and giving you instantly improved skin appearance.   Equally importantly, all the products and ingredients are compatible so you’re not wasting your money on products that counteract each other.  Building skin care regimens like this is what I, as an MD skin care professional, do all day – and I love it!

Thanks for a great question.

Cheers,

Cynthia Bailey MD, Dermatologist

If you have questions about skin care or skin health please send them to me using the Contact Dr. Bailey button at the top of the page.

Disclaimer: Please realize that availing yourself of the opportunity to submit and receive answers to your questions from Dr. Bailey does not confer a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Bailey. The information provided by Dr. Bailey is general health information inspired by your question. It should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem (and is not an extension of the care Dr. Bailey has provided in her office for existing patients of her practice). Never ignore your own doctor’s advice because of something you read here; this information is for general informational purpose only.

What’s The Best Over 40 Skin Care To Brighten Dull Skin? is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

I’m wondering if you can answer some general information questions about the skin condition pityrosporum folliculitis.  Is it necessary to wash clothing, bedding, and other items that come into contact with the infected skin on a daily basis?  Also, I am wondering what your success rate is for treating patients with this condition with products containing pyrithione zinc, as opposed to topical and/or anti- fungal medications, especially if the condition covers a significant part of the body, i.e. the face, neck, shoulders, and chest?  Is it important to continue using the zinc products after the condition has gone away for some recommended time period, generally speaking?  And last, does the zinc address the itch associated with this condition?

Thank you and I greatly appreciate your help if you are able to answer any of these questions.

-Amanda G

Hello Amanda,

Pityrosporum folliculitis is one of the most common forms of back acne and it’s really challenging.  Your questions are what I would consider the ‘advanced’ questions for pityrosporum folliculitis treatment and they’re really intriguing – and fun!.  I’m going to outline general educational information for each of your questions based on how I take care of the patients in my dermatology practice who have this type of back and chest acne.

For my patients with really stubborn pityrosporum folliculitis type of acne I recommend they take care to keep clothing and bedding clean.  The main important goal is to remove the skin oils from the cloth.  After working out it’s also important to change into dry, clean clothing so that the skin drys off quickly because the yeast organism that causes this condition loves moist, oily skin.

Regarding my topical treatment success, yes, I have a very high success rate treating this condition topically, both for acute intervention and chronic management of new outbreaks.  My ‘go-to’ treatment is a pyrithione zinc cleanser and an exfoliating sponge.  I often add benzoyl peroxide cleanser too which is why the ingredient combo is in my Back Acne Kit.

OTB SKIN Back Acne Treatment Kit

To control really stubborn cases of pityrosporum folliculitis type of back acne though I often need to prescribe a course of oral ketoconazole.  This is a medicine with a lot of drug interactions and of course it has a bunch of side effects too.  Patient need to be fully informed of all this important information before choosing this therapy.  It’s also important that they have an accurate diagnosis made by their dermatologist.

Also, there is no complete ‘cure’ for pityrosporum folliculitis so we always continue topical care to maintain skin clearing.  We still occasionally need to retreat with another course of oral ketoconazole when the skin flares up in spite of our best efforts.  Sometimes oral tetracycline works too and if I’m using tetracycline to treat a patient’s acne vulgaris we often ‘kill two birds with one stone’.

I don’t usually use topical antifungals for pityrosporum folliculitis because I have not been impressed with the results and the topical cream application is inconvenient (to impossible) given that the condition is on the back.

The itch of this condition is due to the folliculitis (yeast and white blood cell party in the pore) and so controlling the outbreak is how I address the itch.  The zinc is not in and of itself an anti-itch treatment.

On a final note, for pityrosporum folliculitis I always recommend showering asap after sweating, keeping the skin degreased as much as possible and making supportive dietary changes like cutting carbs, greasy foods, diary and junk.  That’s all outlined in some of my other acne and pityrosporum folliculitis posts below.

These are good questions.  I can see your giving this some really good and detailed thought, I love it!

Warm Regards,

Cynthia Bailey MD, Dermatologist

If you have questions about skin care or skin health please send them to me using the Contact Dr. Bailey button at the top of the page.

Disclaimer: Please realize that availing yourself of the opportunity to submit and receive answers to your questions from Dr. Bailey does not confer a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Bailey. The information provided by Dr. Bailey is general health information inspired by your question. It should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem (and is not an extension of the care Dr. Bailey has provided in her office for existing patients of her practice). Never ignore your own doctor’s advice because of something you read here; this information is for general informational purpose only

Back and Chest Acne Treatment is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

I suffer from rosacea and acne, and I’m not sure which to treat.

Acne medications and regimes irritate my sensitive skin.  On the other hand, rosacea treatments burn or clog pores.  I’m at a loss.  I have seen numerous dermatologists and they all prescribe the same thing, my face only gets worse. It’s really embarrassing.

Thank you,

Jenn

Hello Jenn,

Acne vulgaris and rosacea can coexist, unfortunately.  My usual approach is to treat the rosacea, which is trickier, and to aim my acne vulgaris treatments very precisely at what I think the biggest driver of the acne is for a particular patient.

One of my favorite regimens for this combination of skin problems is the product combo in my Facial Redness Kit.

This skin care kit included Calming Zinc ® soap which has an ingredient that helps to decrease a skin yeast that causes a form of acne called pityrosporium folliculitis, and that’s also overgrows the pores in rosacea.  The other product in the kit is either Replenix CF or Power of Three Cream.  These products are very soothing for rosacea.  They also act to moisturize acne prone skin WITHOUT pore clogging oils.  They have one more benefit and that is to help relieve the redness from acne lesions.

If the acne is mostly due to clogged pores and blackheads (comedones) then I try to sneak in a little tretinoin, which is a fantastic prescription medicine for comedonal acne.  When we use the Facial Redness Relief products I find that the rosacea is usually so well controlled that we can get the tretinoin into the skin care regimen without irritating the rosacea.  I typically stick with the lowest strength of tretinoin, and I start with it just twice a week.  I have many rosacea patients who successfully use tretinoin, so it is possible. I’ve included a link below to a post that explains my tretinoin use tricks.

If hormonal factors are driving the acne then I may try hormone regulating treatments such as birth control pills, but this is usually a last resort in my practice.  I always look for a bacterial infection too because bacteria may be ‘dog-piling’ on a case of mild acne or rosacea and really making big, tender, inflamed pustules out of what would otherwise be little ones.  The goal is to trying to figure out why the acne lesions are present and then very precisely address the cause while at the same time providing a supportive skin care regimen to calm the rosacea.

I know that is not a simple answer but I hope it gives you some idea of how I approach a patient with your combination of skin problems.  It’s actually a fairly common combination in my dermatology practice.

Warm Regards,

Cynthia Bailey MD, Dermatologist

If you have questions about skin care or skin health please send them to me using the Contact Dr. Bailey button at the top of the page.

Disclaimer: Please realize that availing yourself of the opportunity to submit and receive answers to your questions from Dr. Bailey does not confer a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Bailey. The information provided by Dr. Bailey is general health information inspired by your question. It should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem (and is not an extension of the care Dr. Bailey has provided in her office for existing patients of her practice). Never ignore your own doctor’s advice because of something you read here; this information is for general informational purpose only.

The Best Skin Care Products For Rosacea and Acne is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

I’m 17 years old and lately I’ve had a remarkable amount of acne breakouts, or more like a really massive breakout.  I’ve had many breakouts in the past but lately it has been worse.  I want my skin to recover quickly and would like to know what I can do to speed the natural healing process?  Also, what can I do to eliminate acne scars from the past breakouts?

Hope you can help,

Irvin S

Hello Irvin,

To speed the skin’s natural healing process after a big acne flare I recommend:

1. Avoid using skin care products with mineral oil or petrolatum. These ingredients can cause new acne lesions to form.  Once the original acne flare-up is quiet it’s wise not to provoke a new bout of acne by using the wrong skin care products.

2. Start using skin care products that treat and help prevent acne such as my OTB SKIN Acne Treatment Kits.  OTB Acne Kits contain high levels of the best non-prescription acne treatment medicines available for topical acne treatment.

3. Make diet changes that help to prevent acne such as:

• cutting the carbs and junk food
• eating more fruits and veggies
• cutting down on dairy
• loading up on omega-3 rich foods like salmon, walnuts, spinach and flax seeds

These changes will allow acne prone skin to calm down and the active lesions to heal.

It takes time for the marks to fade though.  To help stop acne lesions from leaving brown marks on your skin (called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) I always recommend avoiding the sun.  Even casual sun exposure can worsen the risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.  This means that wearing an oil-free, mineral zinc/broad spectrum sunscreen everyday in place of a moisturizer can really help. The product I have my acne prone patients use is Citrix.

Also, using glycolic acid products can help to prevent and lighten hyperpigmentation from acne lesion.  My favorite glycolic acid skin care regimen for acne prone skin is my Glycolic Acid Skin Care Kit.

Acne scars are tougher to treat than post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.  Many scars will naturally fade over time, but others require treatment.  Laser treatments, IPL treatments (a special kind of light treatments done in the doctor’s office) and topical prescription tretinoin are three of my favorite treatments for acne scars.

A massive breakout of facial pustules may not just be acne. It may be time to get a specific diagnosis because not every skin whitehead or pimple is caused by acne.  When I see a real upsurge in pimples I look for a cause.  One really important cause to consider is a bacterial infection; bacteria such as staph can ‘dog pile’ on a mild case of acne, infecting what would otherwise be small pimples and causing them to be deeper, redder, more tender, and really dramatic big zits.  There are different types of bacteria other than staph that can do this too.  Different types of bacteria are treated with different oral prescription antibiotics.  The bottom line is that the best treatment starts with the correct diagnosis.  If acne isn’t responding to acne skin care products, good non comedogenic skin care practices and an acne diet then it’s time for a doctor’s appointment.

I hope that helps.

Warm Regards,

Cynthia Bailey MD, Dermatologist

If you have questions about skin care or skin health please send them to me using the Contact Dr. Bailey button at the top of the page.

Disclaimer: Please realize that availing yourself of the opportunity to submit and receive answers to your questions from Dr. Bailey does not confer a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Bailey. The information provided by Dr. Bailey is general health information inspired by your question. It should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem (and is not an extension of the care Dr. Bailey has provided in her office for existing patients of her practice). Never ignore your own doctor’s advice because of something you read here; this information is for general informational purpose only.

How To Heal Acne Naturally is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

The purpose of a moisturizer is to trap water. Your natural oils can do that but they’re not produced as quickly after washing as you need.  Applying the right moisturizer can help do the job but you need to find one that traps water without leaving a heavy oily feel on your skin.

Skin that has adequate trapped water is considered hydrated. Moisturizers traditionally work by utilizing an oil to trap water, which when applied right after washing the skin with water will trap the water by sealing over the skin and preventing evaporation.  The oil glands don’t coat the skin fast enough after washing to act as your moisturizing oil!  The dilemma is that using oil containing moisturizers will feel heavy on your skin later in the day once your oil glands are coating you with your own oil.  To moisturize your skin without adding oil you need to find a moisturizer with one or more of the non-oil ingredients that are capable of trapping water, and apply it immediately after washing your skin.

The best skin care product ingredients to hydrate your skin without adding oil are:

• hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate)
  
• glycerin
  
• squalane
  
• alpha hydroxy acids.

These ingredients are especially great for oily skin moisturizing, but all skin type benefits from them too.  They hold water in the skin without using oil to do it. Instead they use the natural water binding capacity of the ingredients themselves.  They’re that brilliant bridge between science and nature that I love so much in well thought-out skin care! Products with these ingredients are my first choice for hydrating oily skin.  For my dermatology patients with oily skin, the facial moisturizers I specifically rely on are:

Click on the blue links to purchase these products or read more about them.

Replenix CF Cream and Replenix Power of Three Cream,

both contain hyaluronic acid

Glycolix Elite Ultra Lite Face Cream

hydrating with glycerin and squalane

Glycolix Elite Face Cream

with 15% glycolic acid AHA, glycerin and squalane

What’s the Best Moisturizer For Oily Skin? is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

Not all acne products treat bacteria, some just treat blackheads.

You can treat this acne causing bacteria without topical or oral antibiotic prescriptions, but you need to know the right ingredient to use.

Using dermatologist recommended acne products means that you’re getting the right active ingredients to treat what actually causes your acne. The bacteria called proprionibacterium acnes causes the pimples seen in the most common form of acne called acne vulgaris.  To find the best skin care products to treat your acne pimples you need to find those products that contain the ingredient that kills this germ. 

To treat p. acnes you need acne skin care products with benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl peroxide is the single most effective topical medicine to kill the pimple causing p. acnes germ. It’s also available without a prescription!

Believe it or not, benzoyl peroxide works better than most topical prescription antibiotics for treating p acnes.  This is because the clever pimple causing bacteria has gained resistance to prescription antibiotics, which is no surprise!  P. acnes, however, is still very susceptible to benzoyl peroxide.  Interestingly, pharmaceutical companies are now busily combining the old antibiotics with benzoyl peroxide to create expensive prescription acne skin care drugs to treat the new antibiotic resistant p. acnes.  You can use the benzoyl peroxide alone though, and without a prescription, to get great p. acnes treatment.  Plus, benzoyl peroxide is really affordable so it’s good news for your acne all around!

You have options for how you use benzoyl peroxide.  It comes in the form of an acne wash or a topical lotion or gel.  It comes in a range of strengths, most commonly 2.5%, 5% and 10%.  At these concentrations it’s highly effective at treating both your pimples and blackheads.  My favorite benzoyl peroxide product for facial pimples is a water based lotion that you apply after washing.  For the back and chest I find it easiest to use a foaming benzoyl peroxide wash for these harder to reach areas that are often covered by clothing.

As I mentioned above, dermatologist’s and drug companies often combine benzoyl peroxide with prescription topical antibiotics to enhance the antibiotic’s results.  It’s also combined with some of the other important topical acne medicines that dermatologist’s use to treat acne (with your doctor’s supervision of course).

You do need to know that benzoyl peroxide can be irritating to sensitive skin.  Use a lower concentration if you’re skin starts to sting or get irritated by benzoyl peroxide.  It can also bleach fabric so keep it off of colored towels, pillowcases and clothing.

What are the best acne skin care product combinations you can use without a prescription to get rid of your pimples fast?

OTB SKIN Acne Kits have the most effective ingredients to treat your acne without a prescription, including a benzoyl peroxide lotion to treat your pimples.

Click here to read more about my OTB SKIN Acne Treatment Kits

My OTB SKIN Acne Kits have powerful amounts of my favorite acne treating ingredients to treat pimples and blackheads.

Each kit includes

1. Oil-Off Cleanser: This medicated oil removing cleanser with salicylic acid and glycolic acid helps unclog your clogged pores and get rid of blackheads.
2. Pore Cleaning Pads:  Medicated pore cleaning pads to lift dirt and debris from deep in your pores so that the benzoyl peroxide lotion can really get in there and do its job on your pimples.
3. Bacteria Removing Lotion: Benzoyl peroxide lotion to treat pimples fast.

Pick your kit based on your skin type, click here for:

OTB SKIN Acne Treatment Kit for Tolerant skin

Perfect for you if you know you can tolerate powerful levels of these 3 active ingredients

OTB SKIN Acne Treatment Kit for Sensitive Skin

It’s the kit to start with if you’ve never combined these 3 ingredients before to treat your acne.

If you know that you’re allergic to the salicylic acid in my OTB SKIN Acne Kit then use

Glytone Gel Wash

To cleanse your skin, remove excess oil and treat balckheads.

OTB SKIN Bacteria Removing Lotion

Apply this strong benzoyl peroxide lotion after washing with Glytone Cleanser to get all the p. acnes treatment benefits of benzoyl peroxide.

To get rid of pimples on your back and chest use my Back Acne Kit with all the ingredients that I’ve found to be the most effective for this type of acne.

Click here to see my OTB SKIN Back Acne Kit

These are intelligent acne treatment regimens with ingredients targeted at the real causes of your acne – get the best results when you use the right products.

References:

Harper JC, Benzoyl peroxide development, pharmacology, formulation and clinical uses in topical fixed-combinations. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010 May;9(5):482-7.

Tanghetti EA, Popp KF,  A current review of topical benzoyl peroxide: new perspectives on formulation and utilization. Dermatol Clin. 2009 Jan;27(1):17-24.

How To Get Rid Of Pimples – Dermatologist Recommended Acne Products is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

Ingredients in acne products that loosen dead skin cells are called keratolytics (geek moment: skin cells are called keratinocytes and the suffix ‘lytic’ means to decompose or disintegrate, hence kerato+lytic).  These keratolytic ingredients loosen the dead skin cells both on the surface of your skin and also down in your pores to help you get rid of blackheads. The non-prescription keratolytics used to treat acne are

• salicylic acid
• benzoyl peroxide
• glycolic acid

The best acne products to help you get rid of your blackheads contain one or a combination of these ingredients.

What causes blackheads?

Blackheads, called comedones, are plugs of dead skin cells, oil, skin germs and debris that got stuck in your pores. This stuff is normally present in your pores and is supposed to pass out to the surface of your skin where you can wash it off.  The problem is that they got sticky and formed a clump that then got lodged in the pore.  This clump gets bigger and harder as it sits there, which makes it more stubborn when you finally start using the right products to treat your blackheads.

Some skin care products actually increase this clumping and are called comedogenic. You definitely want to avoid those.  It’s usually the oil in the product that’s the problem. Mineral oil and petrolatum (also called Vaseline) in products are particularly comedogenic. Read the ingredients on all the products that you use on your blackhead prone skin.  I find that patients often don’t realize that things like their makeup and sunscreen can contain these oils.  I recommend oil free, non-comedogenic products for all my patients who are prone to blackheads.

Interestingly, as common as blackheads are, we still don’t know exactly why they happen on your skin in the first place.   The good news is that even if we don’t know why they happen, we have great products to treat and prevent blackheads.

How to pick the best product to treat your blackheads?

Everybody’s skin is different which is why there are so many different acne skin care products.  Plus, all the keratolytic ingredients I mentioned above can be irritating if you have sensitive skin.  You can even be allergic to benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.  It means that to pick the best blackhead treatment products to fit your skin you need to know something about your skin type and just how much of the keratolytic ingredients it will take to clear you up.

You need to know if your skin is

• oily and tolerant, meaning that you can’t remember the last time it got dried-out our irritated from a product
• normal to dry, meaning it’s not hard to ‘over treat’ it, causing dryness and chapping
• allergic to salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide

You also need to decide:

• if you want a one step treatment with just a medicated cleanser that will leave behind some amount of active ingredient
• if you also need to apply a product after washing for an even higher ‘dose’ of the active.

For blackheads, I usually recommend both of these type of products for my patients, which is why my acne kits have them both.

Dermatologist’s recommendation for the best products to prevent and treat blackheads based on your skin type

Select your skin type and needs and then click on the blue links to build yourself a customized skin care regimen that treats your blackheads fast.

Tolerant and oily skin with blackheads

If you have tolerant, oily skin you’re actually lucky when it comes to choosing blackhead treating skin care.  You can probably tolerate products with a really high concentration of all 3 keratolytic ingredients and because ‘more is better’ when it comes to keratolytics, your blackheads will go away as fast as possible.  My OTB SKIN Acne Treatment Kit for Tolerant Skin has just that plus a foaming cleanser and degreasing pads to cut through your excess skin oil.

Normal to dry skin with blackheads

If you have normal skin that’s not allergic to benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid the best treatment combo is in the OTB SKIN Acne Treatment Kit for Sensitive Skin which also has all 3 keratolytic ingredients and great degreasing power to control excess oil production.  I’ve used a slightly lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid in this kit because normal to dry skin isn’t tough and oily, meaning you don’t necessarily need the highest amount of these ingredients to do the job. The concentrations in this kit are usually the ‘sweet spot’ for normal skin that treats your blackheads fast without over drying your skin.

Skin that’s allergic to salicylic acid

If using products with salicylic acid makes your skin dry and chapped, then you can still get great results by using products with either benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or both.  Great options include:

Glytone Mild Gel Wash Cleanser with glycolic acid in a foaming, oil removing cleanser

Glytone Exfoliating Lotion (in step-up concentrations of 2 powerful strengths)

OTB Medicated Acne Cleanser with 10% benzoyl peroxide in a foaming, oil removing cleanser

OTB Bacteria Removing Lotion with 5 or 10% benzoyl peroxide

You can mix and match these two ingredients such as washing with the OTB Medicated Acne Cleanser which will leave some benzoyl peroxide on your skin and then applying the Glytone Exfoliating Lotion to add glycolic acid.  Or if you want to use glycolic acid alone you can use my Glycolic Acid Skin Care Kit with Glytone Mild Gel Wash and Exfoliating Lotion.  You could even use the OTB Bacteria Removing Lotion once a day alternating with the Exfoliation Lotion to add benzoyl peroxide to your regimen with the Glycolic Acid Kit.  They all work great together!

Skin that’s allergic to benzoyl peroxide

If you’ve had trouble with benzoyl peroxide in the past then I usually recommend just sticking with glycolic acid.  The best way to treat your blackheads using glycolic acid is with my Glycolic Acid Treatment Kit. It’s perfect for oily skin and won’t over-dry normal skin.  I use it for teens all the way through adult patients.  You can also add the OTB SKIN Pore Cleaning Pads to get some salicylic acid on your skin too.  Use them after washing with the cleanser and before applying the Exfoliating Lotion.

What additional treatments for blackheads can you use to up the results from your daily skin care treatment products?

When it comes to treating blackheads the steady use of your at home skin care is the most important thing you can do. But, you can also boost your treatment with a few really great ‘hands on’ tricks too including:

Deep pore cleansing facials with extractions are a great way to jump start treatment and maintain results.

A series of light chemical peels done by a doctor or aesthetician will help to dissolve your blackheads using even stronger amounts of keratolytics than what you can get in your daily acne treatment skin care products.

Biore strips can pull blackheads out of the pores on your nose.  Be careful though, I’ve seen patients pull off a little skin with these strips too.

Clay masks help draw oil out of your pores and refine your pore size.  The results are temporary, but hey, temporarily smooth pores are better than nothing.  You can’t use them everyday though because they can be too drying.

A final note, prescription retinoids are really powerful keratolytics for treating blackheads.  They include products like RetinA (tretinoin), Differen and Tazorac, which require a trip to the doctor.  They’re tricky to combine with the other non-prescription products so you’ll need medical supervision to add them to your skin care regimen.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads – A Dermatologist Explains is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog

A reader sent me this exact question as a blog comment. Because I know that so many people with acne share the same question I didn’t want the question, or the answer,  to get lost at the end of a post so I’m making an Ask Dr. Bailey article out of it.  It’s a great question!

Dear Dr. Bailey,

I recently started using tretinoin for my acne and this information in How Do You Layer Skin Care Products With Tretinoin has been very helpful! Is there a type of moisturizer you can recommend to use on really dry skin with acne? It doesn’t seem to matter how soon I apply moisturizer after washing my face, it always seems to end up feeling really tight. But I’ve always heard oily moisturizers made acne worse and I don’t want that either.

Thanks so much!!
Donna

Hello Donna,

In my dermatology practice, the 3 most common reasons for why acne treatment products cause skin dryness are:

1. One of the acne medicines in the products is causing irritation or allergic reaction (often salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide),
2. The cleanser used for washing is too drying and irritating.
3. That tretinoin, if used, is being applied incorrectly.

Taking each of these one at a time:

Why acne treatment ingredients cause skin to feel dry

There are 3 main non-prescription active ingredients in acne products.  They are glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.  They are all wonderful and an work miracles for acne, but they can all be tricky to use.  In fact, some people can be allergic or just have skin that’s easily irritated by one or more of these great ingredients.

The first (glycolic acid) can be irritating but allergy is uncommon.  The Glytone Mild Gel Wash Cleanser and Glytone  Exfoliating Lotion that I’ve used for years on acne patients relies on this single ingredient to treat acne prone skin in people allergic to the second two ingredients.  With a potentially irritating ingredient like glycolic acid the key is to find that sweet spot where you’re treating the acne but not irritating the skin.  It may be that alternate day use or lower concentrations are needed which is why there is a step up program starting with a lower concentration and moving to a higher one if your skin can tolerate it.

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are trickier to use than glycolic acid.  They can irritate skin, but more importantly, you can be allergic to one of them.  Popular acne treatment products like Proactiv depend on benzoyl peroxide to treat pimples.  Neutrogena’s popular Oil-Free Acne Wash and Rapid Clear Treatment Pads depend on salicylic acid as their active acne treatment ingredient.  When you’re allergic to one of both of these ingredients your skin will never tolerate it.  Any application results in a dry, chapped, redness that gets worse and worse as you continue using the product.

While irritation and allergy can be problems, most people with acne actually tolerate the use of these 3 highly effective acne treatment ingredients.  If you’re not allergic then using them they are the fastest way to clear up acne and pimples without a prescription.  It’s why I have them all in my OTB Skin Acne Treatment Kits.  My OTB Skin Acne Kits are the 911 Kits for bad acne and I have tons of patients using them to control their acne.

Why acne cleansers cause skin dryness

Acne cleansers often include acne treatment medicines like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid and we just talked about why those ingredients can cause dryness.  They also usually are designed to lift a lot of oil from the skin and can just plain be too strong of a soap for more sensitive skin types.  The Glytone Mild Gel Wash Cleanser is a good acne cleanser in a milder soap base.  It still lifts off oil, dirt and makeup but does not overly strip the skins natural oils.

Not everyone with acne has oily skin and for my dry skin patients with acne I find that Calming Zinc Soap is usually the perfect skin cleanser for them.  It’s a naturally made soap meaning that the soap making process begins with oils which are then magically converted to soap and glycerin.  It includes another amazing ingredient called pyrithione zinc to control a common skin germ called pityrosporum, which contributes to many peoples acne, especially if they have dry skin.  Calming Zinc removes oil, dirt and makeup without harsh foaming agents like sodium laurel sulfate, making it perfect for sensitive skin; it never over strips your skin’s natural oils.

I often use both these cleansers for my patients with dry, sensitive skin that have acne.  In fact, one of my favorite acne treatment regimens that is also a highly effective anti aging regimen to fight the development of wrinkles is:

In the morning:

• Cleanse with Glytone Mild Gel Wash followed by Glytone Exfoliating Lotion
• Apply an oil-free sunscreen like Citrix Sunscreen on top and then make-up if needed.

At bedtime

• Cleanse with Calming Zinc Bar Soap
• Apply tretinoin just before going to sleep.

Why tretinoin can cause skin to seem dry

Many people don’t know how to correctly apply tretinoin.  The trick is to start with the lowest dose and work up.  It’s also important to wait 15 or 30 minutes after washing and applying other products before applying tretinoin (unless you are using RetinA Micro).  Tretinoin is always to be used at night because it breaks down in light and can cause a skin irritation when that happens.  I have written many posts on the subject to help people understand how to correctly use this wonderful medicine for acne and anti aging skin care including:

How To Correctly Use RetinA (tretinoin) For Acne And Anti Aging Skin Care

How Do You Layer Skin Care Products With RetinA

Moisturizers for Acne Prone Skin

If, after exploring which of these explanations is the most likely cause of your skin dryness from acne treatment products, and making adjustments accordingly, your skin still feels like it ‘wants’ a moisturizer then I recommend the Glycolix Elite Facial Cream Ultra Lite. This face cream works beautifully for my acne patients.  It’s oil free, hydrates with ingredients like glycerin and feels light on the skin.

Great question!

Warm Regards,

Cynthia Bailey MD, Dermatologist

If you have questions about skin care or skin health please send them to me using the Contact Dr. Bailey button at the top of the page.

Disclaimer: Please realize that availing yourself of the opportunity to submit and receive answers to your questions from Dr. Bailey does not confer a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Bailey. The information provided by Dr. Bailey is general health information inspired by your question. It should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem (and is not an extension of the care Dr. Bailey has provided in her office for existing patients of her practice). Never ignore your own doctor’s advice because of something you read here; this information is for general informational purpose only.

Skin Drying From Proactiv, RetinA and Other Acne Treatment Products is a post from: Dr. Bailey's Skin Care Blog