What the OSPT Means:
Oily
Sensitive
Pigmented
Tight skin
The OSPT Skin Type is quite common among younger people with medium and darker skin color, like Caribbean Americans, Latin Americans, Asians, and Mediterraneans. Lighter-skinned people from other ethnic backgrounds, like the Irish or English, can be OSPTs, especially if they are on estrogen, pregnant or have a lot of sun exposure.
If you are an OSPT skin type, your skin type suffers from bouts of inflammation or acne and an uneven skin tone. The good news is that OSPT’s are less vulnerable to wrinkles than other types because of increased skin pigmentation that protects the skin from aging and from the antioxidants naturally found in the skin’s oil (sebum). Your young age and/or good lifestyle habits have resulted in wrinkle free skin but the goal is to keep it that way 10 years from now. My patients with your skin type often complain of large pores and that their skin is shiny or greasy during the day.
Skin care for OSPTs
OSPTs need a daily sunscreen to help prevent uneven skin pigment but your oiliness makes it difficult to find one that is not too oily. Your dermatologist can choose a sunscreen for you that will not increase oiliness or cause acne. You must find a sunscreen that you will use every day. Some oily types choose to omit a moisturizer and use a sunscreen instead. The cleanser that you choose is very important and should be based upon what kind of sensitivity your skin has. For example, if you have acne, a salicylic acid cleanser is the right choice. If you have redness or stinging, a soothing cleanser is preferred. Click here to see my favorite products for your skin type. If you have allergies, look for a brand that does not contain allergens such as VMVHypoallergenics.
All OSPTs are likely to experience:
Inflammation
Dark spots or patches usually over the lip or on cheeks and forehead.
Shininess an hour after washing the face
Difficulty finding a daily sunscreen
Cleansers do not leave the skin feeling clean
Fewer wrinkles than other skin types
Treatments for OSPTs
Skin-bleaching agents are helpful for all OSPTs, but those with light skin tones can also use stronger treatments, such as lasers and light treatments. However, be advised, if you have melasma, using a laser or light treatment can result in worsening of melasma. I see at least one patient a week that received Fraxel or another type of resurfacing laser and then the melasma worsened. They report that they melasma clears and looks great for about a week and then returns in 3 months worse than before. Using the proper skincare regimen is the best treatment for melasma. I recommend a treatment regimen with skin lightening ingredients for 3 months and then a maintenance regimen for a month. You should repeat the 3 month on and one month off cycle 2-3 times until the melasma clears. It usually takes 12- 16 weeks for melasma to clear if you follow the proper skincare regimen and avoid the sun and heat. Talk to your dermatologist who can prescribe the most effective melasma treatments for your skin.
DO
Use foaming cleansers or salicylic acid containing cleansers
Use a sunscreen instead of a daily moisturizer
Use products with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as caffeine, green tea, niacinamide, resveratrol and grape seed extract.
Wash your face after rinsing out your hair conditioner to remove any residue from skin
Use a sunscreen every day of at least SPF 15
Add foods high in Vitamin A such as sweet potatoes, kale and carrots
DO NOT
Use at home peels
Get laser and light treatments if you have a darker complexion
Use the prescribed products in the wrong order
Forget that sun exposure causes uneven skin tone
Use products not prescribed by your dermatologist
Use skin, make-up and hair products with isopropyl myristate (causes acne)
Eat a lot of sugar and dairy if you get acne breakouts
Now this just barely scratches the surface of what it means to be an OSPT, what will be most helpful is to see a certified STS Dermatologist that can guide you on your path to beautiful skin. Also stay tuned to learn more about melasma and treating uneven skin tone.
Dr. Leslie Baumann, M.D. and her team at Baumann Cosmetic Dermatology believe in proof, not promises. World-recognized for both cosmetic and general dermatology, our treatment strategies rely exclusively on evidence-based, scientifically verified products and procedures that promote skin health and a natural appearance. We combine effective medical procedures with individualized instruction on proper skincare, nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle in order to maximize the health of the skin and body as a whole while minimizing the effects of aging. For more, visit Dr. Baumann’s blog for daily updates Monday through Friday, or inquire about an appointment through Derm.net.