Why do you need to clean your skin well?
Washing morning and evening helps rid the skin of impurities. On the other hand, you have to be as gentle as possible. Use a dermatological bar or soap-free cleansing gel, do not scrub and moisturize your face well in the morning with a non-comedogenic cream formulated for oily acne-prone skin. You will thus reconstitute the hydrolipidic protective film of your skin and better prepare it for external aggressions: sun, pollution, etc.
Why shouldn’t you touch your buttons?
On the one hand, you risk promoting the appearance of new pimples and on the other hand, leaving scars.
Is stress a trigger?
The link between stress, oily skin and acne is now established. In times of stress, we secrete endorphins – neurotransmitters – which activate the sebaceous gland. This will then produce more sebum.
The sun, friend or foe?
He is actually a false friend. While the sun tends to dry out the lesions, it also causes the stratum corneum to thicken. The skin is thus protected against ultraviolet rays. The improvement observed during the summer will therefore only be short-lived: the thickening of the skin causes acne breakouts in September-October. If you expose yourself, it is therefore advisable to apply an anti-UVB and UVA sunscreen (index 30).
Can we eat what we want?
Yes, because no study has yet shown a link between diet and acne. Only, for your health, it is advisable to have a varied and balanced diet.
Is Zinc Effective?
Zinc administered systemically (in the form of capsules; in France, it is zinc gluconate) has been proven to have an action on inflammatory acne. Zinc is a little less effective than cyclins but it is of interest in certain special cases (it can be prescribed to pregnant women in particular or does not prohibit exposure to the sun).
Can we wear makeup?
It is not contraindicated. Preferably choose a tinted cream. This must be certified non-comedogenic. Dermatologists recommend buying its care creams and makeup products in pharmacies or drugstores. We then speak of dermo-cosmetics.
Can we change dermo-cosmetics?
It is better not to change care too often (moisturizer, tinted cream, etc.) because the skin does not appreciate it.
Can you have acne as an adult?
Acne usually goes away around 18-19 years of age, but in some cases this problem can persist into adulthood. Some acne may justify treatment with isotretinoin (Roaccutane® or its generics).
Who says oily skin also says oily hair?
It is indeed frequent. When the disorders are significant (the scalp is red, the itching is intense), the doctor can prescribe a reimbursed drug, Cebiprox®, to his patient. It is a shampoo to be applied twice a week. Otherwise, there are shampoos based on tar or salicyclic acid, to be applied no more than 2 times a week also under penalty of attacking the scalp. If you need to wash your hair more often, then use a mild shampoo with frequent use.
Our expert: Brigitte Dréno, professor of dermatology at the Nantes University Hospital Center (CHU).
