Cleanse twice daily with a mild cleanser. Using only your fingertips (no washcloths or scrubbing pads, please) thoroughly cleanse the face, including your jaw line, neck, and in front of and behind the ears. Use a gentle foaming cleanser, such as Dove or Neutrogena or, if you have inflamed breakouts, choose a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide. Do a double-wash at every cleansing: Cleanse, rinse well, and repeat.
Use a toner or astringent. Apply toner to a cotton ball or pad and gently smooth over the face and neck to remove any leftover makeup or cleanser residue, and excess oil. Choose an alcohol-free toner if your skin seems overly dry. Alcohol can be drying and irritating for some people, especially to skin that is already irritated by breakout activity.
Apply any acne medications or creams, if needed. After your toner has dried completely, smooth on your treatment creams as directed. This could be a medication prescribed by your doctor, or an over-the-counter acne gel or cream. Let the medication absorb or dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Apply an oil-free moisturizer or gel. It may seem counterintuitive to moisturize your already oily skin, but don't skip this important step. Many acne medications over-dry the skin, leaving the skin thirsty for moisture. To reduce the chance of dry and peeling skin, apply a light moisturizer twice daily. Moisturizing gels and lotions are generally lighter than creams. Either way, choose one that is labeled oil-free and noncomedogenic.
- If toners or astringents seem to over-dry your skin, don’t use them. You aren't going to harm your skin by not using a toner.
- Always let the skin dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
- A gentle cleanser
- Toner or astringent
- Cotton balls or cotton pads
- Topical acne medications or creams
- Moisturizing lotion or gel
