ACNE, RASHES AND DRYNESS, OH MY!

Dear Jellybean,

I just started to have a problem with acne. I never really got pimples before, but now pimples are starting to sprout up on my face like daisies. Here's the problem: When I just use a scrub and toner, my T-zone isn't oily, but my cheeks feel really dry. When I've tried to use moisturizer in the past, it's made my T-zone oily and my cheeks normal. After two days, however, i started getting red dots everywhere on my face. My mom took a look at them and said that I was breaking out because of my moisturizer. What can I do to get my skin in some sort of decent balance and not getting a rash or breaking out?
-Girl with a Daisy Face

Dear Girl with a Daisy Face,

It sounds like you've got sensitive skin. Most products formulated for treating acne are very drying, and contain alcohol, fragrance and preservatives that can be harsh on sensitive skin, causing rashes. Add the fact that you've got two different skin types on your face - an oily T-zone and dry to normal cheeks - and it all adds up to one conclusion: You need more than just a one-size-fits-all acne product.

You'll need to consider both the texture of your skin, and the need for acne prevention. My first recommendation is, treat your two facial zones - the cheeks and T-zone - like two different faces, each needing their own products. Apply toner to your T-zone if needed to soak up excess oils, but skip toner on your cheeks, where it's too drying.

When it comes to moisturizer, use it only on those areas of your face that need it - in your case, the cheeks. Skip moisturizer on your T-zone, since it sounds "moist" enough already. Do choose a moisturizer formulated for sensitive skin, and do a "patch test" with any product you haven't tried before, by applying just a bit to a small area around the jawline. If skin hasn't reacted negatively within 24 hours, you know it's a product that's safe to use on your skin.

If you ever need to zap a pimple on your cheek area, look for an acne product that treats the breakout without drying out the skin. That means choosing a cream-based (not gel-based) product, and getting a mild formulation (skip anything with a label that says "extra-strength" and look for products made for "sensitive" or "dry" skin).

Finally, you'll need an all-purpose cleanser, since it would be madness to try to wash your cheeks separately from your T-zone. To cover all your skin concerns, look for a creamy, oil-free cleanser that's made for sensitive skin. Browse your drugstore aisles on your own, or ask the cosmetician to point you to a cleansing product that meets those requirements.