Reduce Sebum with Proactiv Products

If you have acne, then it’s likely that you also have problems with excessive skin oil. This oil is called sebum. At this point in life, you have probably discovered what millions of other people know: you can’t clean sebum out of your pores with soap and water alone. That’s because normal soap does not have the cleansing properties needed to eliminate sebum from your pores. There are, however, several products that can help you wash oils out of your clogged pores.

Sebum and Dead Skin Cells

Sebum often mixes with dead skin cells to create a substance that is nearly impossible to wash out of pores without the help of an over-the-counter acne treatment. The problem with sebum and dead skin cells isn’t just that they clog your pores, but also that the acne causing bacteria inside your pores live off of skin oil. Your oily skin is actually feeding the bacteria that cause your skin problems.

Cleansing Sebum out of Pores

Washing sebum out of your pores is the first major step towards getting rid of acne. As long as your pores are clogged with skin oil, you will continue to experience acne. There are, of course, lots of products that promise to eliminate pimples by drying up excessive skin oil.

The best options usually contain a small amount of benzoyl peroxide. A 2.5 percent concentration should be strong enough to break apart sebum and dead skin cells. In addition to breaking up this nasty mixture, benzoyl peroxide also has antibacterial properties, so it can kill the acne-causing bacteria inside your pores.

You can also look for OTC products that contain salicylic acid. Like benzoyl peroxide, this substance eliminates sebum and kills bacteria.

Avoiding Side Effects While Eliminating Sebum

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can work wonders on oily skin. Sometimes, however, these substances cause mild side effects. Proactiv products contain low concentrations of these active ingredients, so most people respond to them well without experiencing side effects. Some people with very sensitive skin and certain allergies, however, might need to use other products to prevent side effects.

For instance, some people find that benzoyl peroxide causes their skin to dry out excessively. This can lead to itchiness, peeling, and other related problems. Preventing mild side effects such as these is usually pretty simple. Proactiv manufactures non-comedogenic moisturizers that are safe to use on your face. Since they don’t contain any oils, you don’t have to worry that they will cause pimples.

Choosing Products to Prevent Excess Sebum

Hyperactive sebaceous glands can make life seem much more difficult than it needs to be. Choosing a mild OTC product will help you take control of oily skin while preventing acne. You might also want to consider using oil blotter sheets that will absorb excess oil so that your face does not look shiny. Rejuvenating masks can also reduce the amount of oil present in your skin, and you only need to use them a couple times each week.