I have always been very self-conscious about my skin at a young age. Growing up, I was well aware that I had relatives on both my mother’s and father’s side of the family that had problems with oily skin and acne. This began during their teens and even worsened into adult acne as they got older. I would read countless teen magazines that my older sister had like Teen, YM and Seventeen and would heavily research about the best products to prevent breakouts.
I remember purchasing my first skincare regimen at age 13, in my freshman year of high school. I saved up my allowance to buy the now discontinued “Ten-O-Six” three-step skincare system from cosmetics company Bonne Bell. It was a cleanser, toner and oil-free moisturizer that I applied morning and night. Through the years, up until I was in college in the late ’90s, my skincare regimen evolved to other products including the use of exfoliating scrubs and masks like the iconic St. Ives Apricot Scrub and St. Ives Firming Mask which I applied religiously once every week.
Well, my patience and perseverance paid off. I survived my teens and early twenties without a single acne scar or dark spot. Of course, I had the occasional pimple here and there, either on my chin or on my nose, but it was nothing that a little Benzoyl Peroxide acne cream couldn’t fix.
Nowadays, teens have a multitude of choices when it comes to skincare products that care for oily, acne-prone skin. It always helps to check the label on these products and look for terms like non-comedogenic (does not clog pores), non-acnegenic (does not cause acne) and oil-free to make sure that these do not cause or aggravate acne. Also remember that washing your face more than twice a day, overscrubbing and the use of harsh, medicated cleansers can irritate the skin and actually make your acne worsen.
Modern toners are not the same as the old astringents from back in the day that strip the skin of natural emollients. Remember that toners are meant to prep the skin for your moisturizers and serums so that it absorbs much better into the skin. Overcleansing the face actually makes the skin drier and your oil glands will compensate by producing even more oil. That is why it’s always smart never to skip applying a lightweight, gel moisturizer to keep skin soft and supple. Here are some of my current product recommendations for teens who want to care for their oily and sensitive skin.
NEUTROGENA Deep Clean Facial Cleanser, Watsons
I’ve always been a fan of Neutrogena’s line of acne-prone skin cleansers (I used the cleansing bars in college). This oil-free and alcohol-free facial cleanser for normal to oily skin deep cleanses the skin, dissolving dirt and makeup. Its salicylic acid formula removes dead surface skin that can make skin dry, rough, dull and clog pores. Rinses clean without leaving a heavy residue on the skin for that feeling of freshness.
DERMALOGICA Clear Start Breakout Clearing All Over Toner, Rustan’s
After cleansing, spritz this toner over your face, neck or even your body (with your eyes closed) to control excess oil and help eliminate existing breakouts all over. Twelve gentle botanicals including lavender, camellia sinensis and argan, known to minimize redness and skin aggravation triggered by breakouts, help cool and revive the skin.
ESTEE LAUDER Nutritious Rosy Prism Radiant Gel Emulsion, Rustan’s
This lightweight aqua gel was created exclusively for oily, Asian skin; formulated with Nutritious Rosy Prism™ – the world’s first high-performance system proven to significantly reduce and help prevent the look of yellow skin tone. Its’ lightweight texture moisturizes without the heaviness so it’s perfect for combination to oily skin. Non-acnegenic and dermatologist tested.
ORIGINS Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, SM Makati
I still had oily skin in my early twenties so I would use this product once a week to help control oil and unclog my pores to prevent breakouts. Bamboo charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers, white China clay absorbs environmental toxins, lecithin dissolves impurities. Skin feels super refreshed after every use.
HAPPY SKIN Zit Zapper Cream Foundation for Acne Prone Skin, Glorietta
A silicone-free foundation that actually treats acne as it evens out your complexion and hides blemishes, with an oil-control cream powder formula that battles shine. Grapefruit and yogurt extract minimize the growth of acne bumps and brighten pimple scars while salicylic acid prevents the further clogging of pores.
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