Being lazy when it comes to skincare can be sooo easy.
If you’ve been struggling with acne-prone oily skin, you know how frustrating it can be – you spend hours cleansing, putting on oil-free makeup, and setting with matte powder only to look like a sweaty pig.
And if you thought the breakouts would have ended in high school, occasionally, your face decides to surprise you with a big red zit on your cheek or sprinkles of whiteheads across your forehead.
Sigh…talk about your face PMSing on a regular.
The good news is by zeroing in on the right products and following a foolproof lazy skincare routine; you can combat these issues and enjoy clearer, glowing skin.
Keep reading to learn more.
The Best Acne and Oil-Proof Routine
When creating a lazy skincare routine for oily and acne-prone skin, you first need to examine your products. One of the most significant mistakes most of us make is using too many products and not checking out the labels and ingredients used.
Look for products inscribed as non-comedogenic, oil-free, and paraben-free. Then, follow these five research-backed skincare routine steps:
Cleanse Your Face – Gently
A good cleanser will go a long way in keeping your skin healthy, glowing, and radiant – just be sure to do it gently. Fight the temptation to use harsh or astringent cleansers since they can strip your skin of necessary nutrients and kick oil production into high gear, and you don’t want that.
The number of times you cleanse will also vary depending on the severity of breakouts. However, it is best for cleansing both in the AM and PM – it helps prevent dirt buildup.
Individuals with mild breakouts or oily skin can use a salicylic acid cleanser like the Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser which unclogs pores and enhances skin complexion.
Tone On A Daily
In the midst of plumping serums, majestic overnight masks, and glow-enhancing facial cleansers, it’s no surprise toners are overlooked in our skincare routines. However, even after cleansing with the most reviewed cleanser, some dirt and buildup might still be lingering.
That’s why you need to use an exfoliating toner. The product removes sebum, oil, and dirt, reduces redness, gently exfoliates, clears blemishes, and even gives you a lil’ glow.
And like your cleanser, use a toner both in the AM and PM for optimal results. If you’re feeling extra lazy, you can only skip it at night if you’re using retinol (more on that below).
When shopping for a toner, look out for products with ingredients like glycolic acid, green tea, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and tea tree (it helps soothe your skin).
A good anti-acne/oily-skin toner is the Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner. It contains niacinamide, chamomile, burdock extract (an antioxidants powerhouse), and hyaluronic acid, which pair well with salicylic acid from your cleanser, refreshes your skin, and gets rid of remaining traces of makeup and dirt.
Acne Treatments For the Win
If you’ve been struggling with acne, serums and spot treatments is a lazy girl’s must-have in your skincare arsenal.
Unlike cleansers and toners, acne treatment target specific acne issues to give you a blemish-free complexion. Some of the most popular acne treatments include benzoyl peroxide, differin, and retinol.
Differin/adapalene gel helps regulate cell turnover and prevents pore clogging at night, while benzoyl peroxide removes excess oil and zaps acne-causing bacteria.
Retinol unclogs pores, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and allows for a glowing, radiant appearance. It also helps keep acne at bay.
However, don’t use these treatments together – apply benzoyl peroxide in the AM and retinol in the PM (preferably two times a week to build tolerance and avoid irritation). If redness or peeling occurs, consult a dermatologist for proper medical advice.
A good retinol serum would be the Inkey List Retinol Serum. As for Benzoyl, the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser is an excellent place to start.
Oil-Free Moisturizer
When you’re worried about acne-prone or oily skin, using moisturizer might sound counterintuitive. But, since most anti-acne products are drying, you need to hydrate like your life depends on it. And the lazy way to do things is to get a moisturizer that does it all.
It would help if you looked out for moisturizers that are light, non-comedogenic, and water-based, like this Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer from Shani Darden. It contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid that locks in moisture and hydrolyzed collagen plumps the skin.
Another incredibly hydrating ingredient to look out for is niacinamide (vitamin B3). The skincare elixir contains compounds that treat hyperpigmentation, regulate oil production, reduce inflammation, protect against oxidative stress, and minimize pore appearance and fines.
Don’t Skip SPF, Ever!
Since most anti-acne products can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, you need to commit to sunscreen daily – even if it’s the only thing you apply. Even if you’re feeling lazy, please do it! However, go for a lightweight SPF that won’t clog your pores or worsen your breakouts – the La Roche Anthelios SPF 60 Oil-Free Sunscreen is a good example.
Ingredients to Avoid
Steer away from anything particularly heavy and pore-clogging – this includes coconut oil, cocoa, and shea butter, plus petroleum jelly. You should also avoid mixing certain ingredients. For instance, salicylic acid and vitamin C are highly frowned upon – click here for a complete lowdown.
Avoid harsh scrubs, too. They strip away your skin’s barrier, and trigger increased oil production to compensate, leading to clogged pores.
Keep your eyes peeled for products with the non-comedogenic label – these are what you need to have blemish-free skin!
