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  • Francis is a 19-year-old with oily skin who wants to treat his acne and scars. 
  • A dermatologist recommended cutting out olive oil and adding retinol to reduce acne. 
  • If you’d like to have your skincare routine reviewed by experts, fill out this form. 

Francis is a 19-year-old with oily skin who wants his skincare routine to treat breakouts and acne scars.

Dr. Brian Hibler, a dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC, volunteered to review Francis’ skincare routine for Insider’s Skin Clinic series. He said Francis needs to replace his cleanser and moisturizer with ones made for oily skin as well as add in a serum and retinol to address his acne.

“My goal is to create a skincare regimen tailored towards a patient’s individual concerns which is safe, effective, and straightforward,” Hibler said.

The basic order of Francis’ routine is solid

Francis starts his day by cleansing his face with Cerave SA smoothing cleanser for dry, rough, bumpy skin. After letting his face air dry, he applies olive oil as moisturizer for his face. He repeats the same steps at the end of the day before bed.

Hibler said the order of Francis’ skincare regimen is fine because it follows the basic dermatologist recommended routine: cleanser to moisturizer.

However, he needs to add in more products that directly cater to his oily skin in order to reduce his acne.

He needs to replace his cleanser and olive oil with a face wash and moisturizer meant for oily skin

Hibler says Francis’ Cerave cleanser is a fine product, but it’s meant for dry skin.

“Given his primary concern is acne, I would tailor my skincare regimen around this concern to reduce breakouts and prevent any further scarring,” Hibler said. “I often recommend Cerave Foaming Cream Cleanser with 4% benzoyl peroxide in the morning.

Benzoyl peroxide reduces flaking, inflammation, and treats acne, Insider previously reported. Hibler said using a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide can help reduce Francis’ white heads and black heads.

In addition to his cleanser, Hibler says Francis should stop using olive oil as a moisturizer because it might be contributing to his oily skin. He said it can also cause skin rashes and flaking of the scalp and eyebrows. Instead, Hibler recommends a sunscreen moisturizer like EltaMD.

“It’s a good physical sunscreen for individuals with skin of color,” Hibler said. “It is an excellent option for those with oily, acne-prone skin.”

Francis should add a retinoid to balance his oily skin

Hibler says Francis should add a retinoid – or retinol catered to treating acne – to his routine to reduce pimples and balance his oily skin. Insider previously reported retinol increases cell turnover, which can reduce the appearance of acne, fine lines, and wrinkles.

“I would add a topical retinoid, such as Differin (adapalene gel) or a prescription strength retinoid nightly to treat acne, fade dark spots, clear pores, improve the texture and tone of the skin, and help with his scars,” Hibler said.

I’m a 19-year-old with oily skin. A dermatologist told me to stop using olive oil on my face and add a retinol. (msn.com)