Your Skin Problems Solved!
"My skin is oily and flaky."
Prevent: Use a face wash with 2 percent salicylic acid (the standard strength of the oil fighter) on forehead, nose and chin, says Meghan O'Brien, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Skip cheeks and just splash them with warm water. Before bed, trace your T-zone with an exfoliating glycolic serum. Oil is less likely to take a shine to healthy skin.
Protect: Apply an oil-free sunscreen with SPF 30 and hyaluronic acid daily. It hydrates—you still need some moisture—without being greasy.
We like: Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer, Broad Spectrum SPF 30.
"My face feels tight."
Prevent: Hot water and soapy detergents are good for laundry but bad for dry skin, leaving it a little too squeaky clean. Rinse with lukewarm H2O and a milky cleanser that won't strip your skin's natural oils, says Meghan O'Brien, M.D., a derm in NYC.
Protect: Pat a thick layer of ceramide-laced face cream on damp skin to hold in moisture—kind of like putting a top coat on your nail polish. In the morning, add a second layer of moisturizer with SPF 30 plus.
We like: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Premiere Activation Cream SPF 30.
"I'm a shiny mess by 2 p.m."
Prevent: Try a gel-based cleanser (creamy is too heavy) with glycolic acid, a heavy-hitting exfoliant that penetrates deeply, washing away oil hiding out in pores. Then dab a mattifying gel all over to absorb shine, says Michael Gold, M.D., a dermatologist in Nashville.
Protect: Sunblock is still a must. Look for one with avobenzone, which is known to be a bit drying—in a good way. Before bed, apply a retinol serum; it signals the skin to produce less oil.
We like: La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV.











