The Best Facial Products for Oily Skin Over 50

Turning 50 doesn't mean your skin will dry out. I've had oily skin since my twenties. I'm now in my mid-fifties and nothing has changed. My skin became extremely oily after giving birth to my son in my twenties. In fact, toward the end of my pregnancy, I developed a form of folliculitis on my face. Back then, no one knew what it was and after being asked questions like, "Did you eat seaweed?" The doctors came up with two topical creams for me to use simultaneously. But I remember within an hour after giving birth, a nurse came in to check on me, and was amazed how much my face had begun to clear.

Since then, especially in the summer, I must wipe my skin with an astringent in the middle of the day and reapply a light powder. In fact, I can't use foundation. Instead I use Acnomel'"a sulphur based acne cream you can purchase without a prescription'"and a bit of cover-up where needed. My face produces so much oil that I cannot moisturizer all over my face either. I use it only on laugh lines, around the mouth, and eye area.

In the winter, I take my makeup off with Cetaphil first, and then I wash my face with Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel. It cleans without stripping the skin and smells wonderful. Plus, the salicylic acid keeps bacteria on the skin's surface at bay. I also use a mask at least two times a week. Borghese's Fango Active Mud for Face & Body is fabulous! It's great for all skin types.

No one knows your skin better than you. If you battle oil, use products tailored for your skin type that won't cause dryness. Be careful of using products that strip the skin, especially in the winter. In colder weather, I produce slightly less oil, so I use products that are less drying and won't cause irritation.

One of the things I learned is that you can always ask for trial size products to test them first. Even at CVS! Don't be afraid to approach the beauty counter to ask for a small amount you can try at home.

Here are a few affordable skin care products I've tried that worked for me:

Summer skin products:
Neutrogena naturals '" purifying pore scrub.
Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Pore Refining Astringent (I've used this three days out of the week)
Sea Breeze Fresh-Clean Astringent, Sensitive Skin

Winter skin products:
Cetaphil '" Gentle Skin Cleanser
Vichy '" Normaderm 3-in-1 Unclogging Purifying Toner
Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel

Moisturizers:

Eye Cream
RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream
La Roche-Posay Substiane Eyes

Face
Garnier Nutritioniste '" Ultra Lift Anti-wrinkle Firming Moisturizer
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum