Shiny T-zone...How to get rid of it?

[thejew]

I wasnt going to post this but then saw a similiar question so though Id'e have a stab at it.

I have a shiny tzone, but not sure what to use to minimize it...get so shiny lol. I'm using ivory as a face soap right now, any better suggestions?

[Alvito]

whats a t zone?

[somemale]

whats a t zone?

someone hasn't watched Friends!

Its the T area from your forhead to nose.

Use those plastic blue wipes that turn clear after it absorbs the oil. You can get em at asian malls.

[thejew]

someone hasn't watched Friends!

Its the T area from your forhead to nose.

Use those plastic blue wipes that turn clear after it absorbs the oil. You can get em at asian malls.

Do you know the name of them by any chance?
and is there a permanent soloution to this?

[alv077]

Nope... unless you do that laser surgery where they block out the oil production thingamabobs...

[me0kat]

Those sheets are called oils blotting sheets, or oil absorbing. They are very thing and sort and sort of powdery.
They'll absorb the oil and you'll notice it when the paper becomes see-through.

You'll find them in any pharmacy. The brand "CLean and Clear" makes some, they are blue.

The Body Shop also carries some that are beige (skin color).

Using Ivory soap on your face can strip your skin from it's natural oils, thus creating even more.. so some people prefer to use special oil-free cleansers.

[rob187jj]

use clean and clear anti-oil somethin, my skins gotten alot healthier since i started using it and it also clears it up a bit. its a face wash.

[thejew]

Those sheets are called oils blotting sheets, or oil absorbing. They are very thing and sort and sort of powdery.
They'll absorb the oil and you'll notice it when the paper becomes see-through.

You'll find them in any pharmacy. The brand "CLean and Clear" makes some, they are blue.

The Body Shop also carries some that are beige (skin color).

Using Ivory soap on your face can strip your skin from it's natural oils, thus creating even more.. so some people prefer to use special oil-free cleansers.

what would be an example of an oil free cleanser? thanks for your tip.

[thejew]

use clean and clear anti-oil somethin, my skins gotten alot healthier since i started using it and it also clears it up a bit. its a face wash.

i'll try it out! any idea what the exact product name is? thanks

[pauline9_2000]

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7282/3502vx2.jpg

Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets - they also have this product under the Life Brand at SDM which is cheaper.

Remember to use a light moisturizer after cleansing your skin.

[GaspeLisa]

You can get this stuff from Walmart too

[Smooth_CriminalMJ]

MYTH.
That is not true and its been proven.
What a great question for you to ask because I suffer the exact thing that you do. First and foremost Id like to say that no matter how hard you try, you wont get rid of this oily skin, unless you try something called accutane which are pills. its kinda risky and isnt really that big of a deal for me anyways.

If you have a dermotologist, get something called retin a micro. Also buy the cetaphil OILY SKIN cleanser. This is the best cleanser and I use it. Also buy Jergens mild soap. Oily skin solution 8 by DCL is something you can look into. Its an astringent that you buy at your dermo. Its pretty expensive though.. It pretty much reduces oil production. I dont use it anymore, I just carefully apply my cleanser and try not to overwash my face with water.

Acne.org is your friend. I find out alot of good info there.

Those sheets are called oils blotting sheets, or oil absorbing. They are very thing and sort and sort of powdery.
They'll absorb the oil and you'll notice it when the paper becomes see-through.

You'll find them in any pharmacy. The brand "CLean and Clear" makes some, they are blue.

The Body Shop also carries some that are beige (skin color).

Using Ivory soap on your face can strip your skin from it's natural oils, thus creating even more.. so some people prefer to use special oil-free cleansers.

[CSK'sMom]

MYTH.
That is not true and its been proven.
What a great question for you to ask because I suffer the exact thing that you do. First and foremost Id like to say that no matter how hard you try, you wont get rid of this oily skin, unless you try something called accutane which are pills. its kinda risky and isnt really that big of a deal for me anyways.


Please don't spread untruths. Accutane is for the tratment of serious cystic acne and not for oily skin. Accutane can have serious side effects and does cause serious birth defects. Monthly blood work is required to obtain a prescription for accutane as well as at least 2 forms of birth control for females. Patients must sign a contract before being given a prescription stating that they will abide by the terms for the duration of treatment. I would highly suggest you do some more reading at acne.org or increase your comprehension skills..... (sigh).....

[me0kat]

what would be an example of an oil free cleanser? thanks for your tip.

Lots of facial cleansers are oil free.
If you are a guy, I don't know if you're comfortable using more feminine-oriented products.. but it shouldn't make such a difference.

Look out for some of these brands

Clean and Clear
Cetaphil
Phisoderm
Neutrogena
Olay

Sometimes they come in tubes where you squeeze the foam cleanser out, others are in pump bottles in liquid consistency.

[Smooth_CriminalMJ]

Ive read alot of posts over at acne.org with people who used accutane and they clearly stated that it completely gets rid of oily skin. Secondly the reason I stated "its kinda risky" is because I WAS AWARE of the side effects of this drug. I was too lazy to list em. Thats why i said it was risky DUH.

http://www.acne.org/prescription.php?view=Isotretinoin

Read what it states. Did the op not ask for something to reduce oily skin? Hell even I use to think about doing accutane, but I really dont have any acne at all and only wanted it cause it says that it will get rid of oily skin, but after reading numerous threads on accutane, I finally came to a conclusion that I dont wanna take the chance and go through process.

Please don't spread untruths. Accutane is for the tratment of serious cystic acne and not for oily skin. Accutane can have serious side effects and does cause serious birth defects. Monthly blood work is required to obtain a prescription for accutane as well as at least 2 forms of birth control for females. Patients must sign a contract before being given a prescription stating that they will abide by the terms for the duration of treatment. I would highly suggest you do some more reading at acne.org or increase your comprehension skills..... (sigh).....

[me0kat]

By the way..
I'm just given my personal experience / opinions on this.

I find that using commercial bar soaps such as Ivory do make my face dryer instantly, opposed to using soap free or special facial cleansers.. but throughout the day I experienced the tzone effect too.

I've switched to handmade, natural soaps that are high in glycerin content (compared to commercial soaps) and that has greatly helped

So I don't feel that bar soaps stripping oils from your skin is a myth.

For someone like me who's used to bathing and applying lotion daily, I find that with facial cleansers or non-commercial products, my skin is more hydrated and less prone to breakouts or oil.

[Smooth_CriminalMJ]

O wait nm

[CSK'sMom]

Ive read alot of posts over at acne.org with people who used accutane and they clearly stated that it completely gets rid of oily skin. Secondly the reason I stated "its kinda risky" is because I WAS AWARE of the side effects of this drug. I was too lazy to list em. Thats why i said it was risky DUH.

http://www.acne.org/prescription.php?view=Isotretinoin

Read what it states. Did the op not ask for something to reduce oily skin? Hell even I use to think about doing accutane, but I really dont have any acne at all and only wanted it cause it says that it will get rid of oily skin, but after reading numerous threads on accutane, I finally came to a conclusion that I dont wanna take the chance and go through process.

Personally, I don't need to read any antedotal postings on a message board when I have the booklet and contract sitting in front of me for Accutane. One of our boys is just starting month 2 of treatment. :rolleyes: It does not get rid of oily skin but it can lessen oil production by up tp 93% that is caused by increased androgens. It is not "kinda risky", it is a serious drug that is used as a last option that can and does cause serious side effects. There is absolutely not a doctor in North America or the world probably that would prescribe Accutane for oily skin with everything that is known about this drug. Doctors have to sign a contract in order to even prescribe it and pharmacies do as well....

[thejew]

whoah this is getting heated....thanks guys! yeah i've heard of accutane (before I used to have bad acne) but my doctor in no way wanted to prescribe it for me...can i ask why you are taking it for your son then? do the benefits outway the costs in his circrumstance?

[CSK'sMom]

Absolutely thejew! He is 15 and has severe nodular acne that was causing scarring. He's been on the long term antibiotics and has used several prescription creams that didn't really get rid of the acne. He's now on Accutane as I said, he starts his 2nd month tomorrow along with 2 prescription creams (clindoxyl & differin). His face has pretty much totally cleared up and his back and chest look 100% better than before he began treatment. He needs to have bloodwork every month to monitor several things or he can't get a repeat on his prescription. For him, it's definitely worth it and he will stay on it as long as he doesn't have any of the serious side effects. And for everyone that thinks it's too cost prohibitive if their doctor recommends Accutane, it's not at all. It's $75/month for the 40mg dose which is actually less expensive than the long term antibiotics....

edited to add: Cetaphil cleansers or SpectroDerm is what our doctor is recommending for a cleanser. It removes the excess oil without irritating the skin which can actually cause the skin to produce more oil. Overagressive cleansing can actually make acne worse...

[penipitcher]

Use pressed or loose powder if it's not some sort of severe acne problem

[gzajay]

I had pretty oily skin and since I've been going through my daily ritual I've controlled it. It's still oily no doubt, but severly reduced and I don't get as much acne before.


I cleanse every day (sometimes 2-3 times a day) with SpectroJel, throw on Aftershave then use an oil free moisturizer. The key is to keep washing the oil off before it causes acne. SpectroJel does the job and it's VERY mild, and not a soap.

[slinger99]

Avoid accutane. It will severely dry out your skin. Which is worse, a shiny T-zone which you can blot or dry flaking skin with possibility of liver damage? To answer your question, there are cosmetic products you can apply to the T-zone area to reduce the shine. Examples are:
Dermadoctor Tease Zone (on-line at Dermadoctor)
Smashbox Anti-shine (at Sephora and some Shoppers Drug Marts)
Clinique Pore-minimizer T-zone Shine Control (Clinique counter in dept stores)

[Polaren]

I use the Vichy green set, it is quite expensive but it does the job. I have oily skin, so I use this daily which is a face wash, cleanser and moisturizer. Three seperate bottles, it has worked miracles for me.