Products for Women with Oily Skin & Acne

Wouldn't it be nice if we could simply splash water on our faces to keep a clean, glowing complexion? Unfortunately, oily skin tends to be quite high maintenance, even more-so if its acne prone. 

There’s no shortage of products for women with oily skin & acne – but which ones actually work? Some people have more success with Salicylic Acid based items, while others prefer Benzoyl Peroxide. Those with more sensitive skin may experience excessive drying from these ingredients & may prefer a more natural approach. ​

To save you the hassle of scouring the internet to find effective solutions, we’ve compiled a list of the best products for oily skin & acne prone skin. The following product lines have an excellent track record for those with such skin types. 

(Before viewing the product descriptions below, it may be helpful to read about these 2 common ingredients found in anti-acne products: Salicylic Acid & Benzoyl Peroxide) 
 
Salicylic Acid (SA) – This plant based derivative is found in many acne medications, and can be purchased in gel, liquid, or powder form. When pores are severely impacted by blackheads, or buried underneath swollen breakouts, oxygen cannot circulate. This recurring cycle provides the perfect breeding ground for acne bacteria to flourish. The task of SA is not to kill acne bacteria, but to dissolve dead skin cells and blackheads. Once these blockages disintegrate, oxygen is once again allowed into pores, naturally killing acne bacteria.
 
Liquid SA dries and heals most small blemishes overnight. Large cystic acne breakouts can take several days longer, as inflammation causes swelling that further blocks pores and prevents medications from penetrating. Gradually over a few day’s time, SA dissolves dead skin cells covering stubborn breakouts, and sinks to the core to also dissolve the pore plug. At this time, the breakout will begin to shrink and inflammation will be drastically reduced. 
 

Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) – A common ingredient found in gel and cream acne medications. One of the most popular Benzoyl Peroxide treatments is the Proactive system. BP kills acne bacteria when placed in direct contact; however when BP is ineffective, that usually means it cannot penetrate skin cells, to reach the heart of pores where acne bacteria flourishes. Recently, a Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide has been developed, whose miniscule molecules are better able to sink deep into pores.
 
BP is a better preventative than cure. It often works best when used after spot-treating trouble areas with Salicylic Acid. After the SA gets to work dissolving blackheads and removing old skin cells, BP is better able to penetrate pores and get to work killing acne bacteria. Those with severely impacted, congested pores may take longer to see results, as the medication takes more applications to finally reach the core of where breakouts begin. ​

Complete Skin Care Lines
​for Women with Oily Skin & Acne

Mario Badescu Products for Acne Prone Skin: This product
line offers a vast array of products such as Facial Cleanser, Cucumber Toner, Anti-Acne Serum, and various masks, to keep acne under control. Their Drying & Buffering Lotions go to work on existing blemishes, to assist in fast healing. Their products are popular among celebrity clients, and very effective for a range of acne conditions, from mild to cystic. ​

Mattify Cosmetics Makeup for Oily Skin: Their entire facial care and makeup line is geared specifically toward oily skin. The products are 100% natural and all are designed to absorb oil. The transparent ULTRA Powder doubles as both a setting powder and an oil-control primer to prevent breakouts. Their eye shadow, blush, bronzer & highlighter are all designed to be long lasting on oily skin. The Exfoliator is perfect for purging pores of blackheads, and their aloe based Incredi-Gel Moisturizer contains essential oils to kill acne bacteria. They also sell essential oil blends to amp up the power of your existing face wash and shampoo (if you have an oily scalp).

Makeup Artist’s Choice (MUAC): Offering many products to prevent and heal acne, this company also specializes in Glycolic, Hydroxy, and Lactic Acid Facial Peels that help undo damage left behind by previous acne breakouts. If acne has left you with discoloration, pitting and scarring, these peels help restore skin to a more even, healthier state.

Proactiv Solution was one of the first companies to offer complete skin care kits that target congested, acnegenic skin types. They recognize the importance of developing a skin care routine, to be followed morning and night. Their main kit contains benzoyl peroxide based products in the form of an exfoliating cleanser, revitalizing toner, and a repairing treatment for acne. Other complimentary items such as masks and blackhead dissolvers can also be purchased.

Philosophy Skin Care for Acne & Blemishes: If you’ve found that salicylic acid works better to heal your acne (as many people have), try Philosophy’s line of “Clear Days Ahead” products. They offer salicylic acid based cleanser, toner pads, moisturizer & acne spot treatment. For skin renewing exfoliation, and to help acne treatments absorb better, try their Microdelivery Wash before applying spot treatments. ​

Individual Products
​      for Women with Oily Skin & Acne 

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Liquid Exfoliant: A serum that contains Salicylic Acid, and two antioxidants (Green Tea and BHA Butylated Hydroxytoulene) to diminish enlarged pores and reduce breakouts. It works by dissolving blackheads, allowing pores to return to their normal size without being stretched by impactions.

Sebamed Clear Face Deep Cleansing Toner for Acne Prone Skin: This PH Balanced Toner removes excess sebum from pores. Its PH level of 5.5 restores the natural protective acid mantle of the skin, which is responsible for controlling acne bacteria - making it effective in preventing the development of acne.

Skin Obesssion Acne Stop: A Salicylic Acid liquid to prevent and heal acne. This one is different because of its pure liquid form. Most Salicylic Acid treatments are suspended in a gel or cream, so they don’t get way down to the root of the breakout. The liquid suspension sinks deep into pores to attack the breakout where it began. The company also carries a mattifying lotion, tea tree & vinegar toner, and a charcoal coal mask.

Hibiclens Soap: While this is not marketed as a product for acne prone skin, it is the ultimate bacteria killer.  Hospitals worldwide use it to prevent & kill MRSA and Staph (which are often present in acne breakouts). The ingredients in this soap linger on your skin for several hours after application, to prevent bacteria from spreading and multiplying. It's especially good to use after a breakout ruptures, to ensure that the area doesn't get infected. ​

Mattify! Cosmetics Stop-Zit:  The 5 essential oils in this witch-hazel based treatment penetrate deep into pores, killing acne bacteria before it can flourish.  Packaged in a convenient roll-on, it's easy to carry with you for on-the-go treatment of acne. This liquidus formula is 100% natural and absorbs quickly. It can even be dabbed on over foundation, without causing smudging. 

La Roche Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment: This product contains dual acne busters to penetrate pores. Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide clears acne and blackheads, while cell exfoliation is improved by LHA (Beta-liphohydroxy) – a derivative of Salicylic Acid. The micro-technology used in this formulation allows the product to be effective even on severely congested skin. 

​It’s essential to remove makeup before sleep! (Click here to read the science behind why it's bad to sleep with makeup on). For days when you’re just too tired to wash your face, or when you’re in a situation like camping, keep some cleansing wipes handy.  Sephora makes a deep cleansing towelette that also exfoliates while removing makeup.  These are great for travel or outdoor adventures, when you can't guarantee that you'll always have access to a sink to give skin a thorough cleanse. They also come in a mini size, convenient to keep in your purse. Charcoal helps to cleanse and purge pores, while Aloe heals acne breakouts and hydrates without leaving behind a greasy residue. 

This selection represents just a handful of skincare products for women with oily skin and acne. Have you found something that has helped control your skin problems? If so, please let us know!

Products for Oily Skin, by Mattify Cosmetics

If you're here, you already know that Mattify Cosmetics specializes in the best products for oily skin & acne prone skin! These items help you put your best face forward, while combating oiliness and breakouts. 

Transparent Powder for Oily Skin (Primer & Setting Powder) 

Powder for Combination Skin: Mattify Original. Talc-free, vegan, matte, oil-control mattifying powder that multitasks as primer.

Powder for Sensitive Skin: Mattify Sensitive. Talc-free, vegan, matte, oil-control setting powder that multitasks as primer.

"Best Face Powder for Oily Skin" : Mattify ULTRA. Talc-free, vegan, matte, oil-control powder that multitasks as primer.

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Matte Foundation Powder for Oily Skin 

Light Weight, Natural Foundation for “no makeup looks” – Mattify Cosmetics Vegan Makeup for Oily Skin and Acne Prone Skin That Will Not Clog Pores (Silicone-Free). Color: Fair/Medium

Makeup for Oily Skin: Powder Foundation that Will Not Clog Pores or Cause Acne Breakouts. Silicone-Free Vegan Skincare by Mattify Cosmetics. Evens out skin tone & creates a "no makeup" look. Color: Medium/Dark

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Long Lasting Matte Blush 

Long Lasting Matte Powder Blush (Pale Pink Blush for Fair to Light Skin Tones) Mattify Cosmetics Vegan Makeup for Oily Skin and Acne Prone Skin

Long Lasting Matte Powder Blush (Rose Pink Blush for Medium to Dark Skin Tones) Mattify Cosmetics Vegan Makeup for Oily Skin and Acne Prone Skin

Long Lasting Matte Powder Blush (Peachy Coral Blush for Medium to Dark Skin Tones) Mattify Cosmetics Vegan Makeup for Oily Skin and Acne Prone Skin

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Exfoliator & Moisturizer for Oily Skin and Acne 

How to Remove Blackheads: Exfoliating Face Scrub with Bamboo and Apricot, to Unclog Pores and Prevent Breakouts. Vegan skincare product for oily, acne prone skin.

Light Weight Gel Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Incredi-Gel by Mattify Cosmetics Vegan Skincare Products for Acne Prone Skin, Hydrator That Will Not Clog Pores or Cause Breakouts

Light Weight Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin That Will Not Clog Pores or Cause Breakouts: Stop-Zit Gel Hydrator by Mattify Cosmetics Vegan Skincare Products

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