for those who deal with oily skin on their face (t-zone), what are some of your secrets to keeping it to a minimum?

.. another question..

is there anything that *really* works to get rid of blemishes/freckles? well, not erase the freckles completely, but i would like them to fade out a bit. i've heard some cream made by palmers? skin lightening stuff? does it work?

blah.

I've battled with oily skin for years. Acne fighting products that contain alcohol or salycilic acid only make it worse. They just irritate the skin and make it over-produce oil to counteract the dryness. You need to find a good cleanser which doesn't over-dry your skin. I really like Clinique facial cleansing bar soap, the one for oily skin. I also like biore face cleanser for oily skin.

Once you find the right cleanser and makeup, your skin will probably still get shiny after a few hours. The only thing you can do is blot your face with blotting papers every few hours. I don't bother buying those expensive blotting papers from the store. I find that the brown paper towels that many public bathrooms have for hand drying work perfectly for blotting the oil off of your face.

My skin is pretty clear and the tone is even so I only wear lip and eye makeup. I do the same thing: if I'm out and I feel my face get dewy I just pick up a napkin or paper towel and blot. There's not much you can do besides take pleasure in the fact that you'll age well.

drugstore.com has blotting papers (in packs i think of 50) they are only $1 a pack and work as well as the expensive ones i used to use from the body shop
i'm pretty sure the brand name is elf

__________________
should i choose a noble occupation
if i did i'd only show up late and sick
and they would stare at me with hatred
plus my only natural talent's wasted

-Avoid stress as much as you can
-Don't binge drink
-Be careful with what creams/lotions and makeup you use
-Oil blotting papers, I like shiseido oil blotting papers
-Clarins have a good mattifying moisturiser for oily skin, and good alcohol-free toners. I prefer the green one w/iris but they also have a different one with powders which is good for very oily skin
-Use pure aloe vera gel as a night treatment, you can get it at health food stores, etc.
-Avoid cosmetics with ingredients such as isopropyl myristate and paraffin/paraffinum/mineral oil (same thing, different terms)
-Try not to use a lot of hairproducts, esp. pomade and such. When you sweat, or go to sleep with that stuff in your hair, it gets in your face and clogs your pores
-Shower in lukewarm or even cold water, avoid very hot showers and baths