Oily skin? Using 'bareta soap' won't help you with that

If you have oily skin, please stay off bareta soap or laundry bar soaps to clean your face.

Though it may feel like its strength can help you with your cause and control your oil production, it won't. In fact, their strong chemicals can damage sensitive parts of the face.

"May mga ingredients [ang bareta soap] na napakatapang, para matanggal yung mga dumi sa clothes. Ang ating balat — especially on the face, around the mouth and around the eyes — is very sensitive. Mabilis mag-dry ang area na iyan. Kung kaya't hindi natin nire-recommend iyan," said Dr. Jean Marquez, a dermatologist and the medical director of DARE Dermatology, Restoration and Aesthetics Clinic.

According to a "Pinoy MD" report by Connie Sison, Marquez suggested that those with oily skin to use products and treatments that are suited for their skin type.

"When you have oily skin, you should be choosing the right kinds of products. Kasi hindi natin fully mako-control ang stress or ang hormone fluctuation sa ating katawan," she said.

Some dermatologists suggested some ways to reduce oily skin.

Dr. Zharlah Gulmatico-Flores, the Chair of Public Affairs of the Philippine Dermatological Society said that antioxidants can help boost the immune system of the skin, and reduce oiliness.

But she also said that antioxidants can strip off the essential lipid barriers of the skin, which can cause allergies.

Meanwhile, Dr. Grace Carol Beltran, a dermatologist at St. Luke's Medical Center, said that patients can look into applying lactic acid cream twice a month.

"Ang purpose 'nun, para i-tanggalin yung oil na nasa surface and at the same time, to exfoliate the skin. But, yung pagtanggal ng oil ay temporary lang. Hindi naman siya permanent so during the time na nagppeal siya, medyo dry yung skin niya," Beltran said.

According to the dermatologists, the three secrets to healthy skin include the following: daily hygiene, a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, and advice from skin experts. — Angelica Y. Yang/LA, GMA News