Board certified dermatologist Dr. Hilary Reich is your go-to guru for achieving clear, glowing, beautiful skin. The renowned doctor has made a name for herself as a skilled skin care expert with a particular talent for treating and preventing acne in teens and adults. She is the consulting dermatologist for Noxzema and through the brand she shares her extensive knowledge and expert tips for keeping skin looking its best.

This time of year is one of the worst for people who have oily or acne-prone skin. The secret to blemish-free summer skin is keeping oil under control, effectively treating breakouts right when they happen and taking care of the skin on your body to help avoid bacne.

Oil Control
For optimal oil control, enlist the help of a toner. Apply an astringent before your sunscreen and makeup in the morning and at bedtime, after cleansing. Toners are not for everyone since they can dry out or irritate the skin, however I emphatically recommend a toner for my oily skin patients.

If your skin is truly oily, you probably don't need a moisturizer in the summer. Sometimes oil-control products paradoxically contain oils, so they are really best suited for combination skin (oily/dry). For a quick fix, rice paper blotting sheets are an easy solution and lightweight addition to anyone's purse.

Zap Those Zits
By mid-summer, all that greasy sunscreen use and sweaty outdoor activities will have taken a toll on your skin. To get back a smooth, clear glow follow this simple skin care routine:

• Wash
  Cleanse your skin one to two times daily with a 0.5-2.0% salicylic acid cleanser, which you can get over the counter, or a 5-10% glycolic acid cleanser which your aesthetician or dermatologist can provide.

• Exfoliate
  Dead skin cells, excessive perspiration, oil and bacteria all clog pores and help cause acne. When you exfoliate, you remove these impurities and expose healthier skin cells to produce smoother, better functioning skin. Exfoliate one to several times weekly with a gentle scrub (preferably one with soft microbeads rather than abrasive fruit pits), or try an exfoliating tool like the Clarisonic brush. If your skin feels sensitive, dry or burns after exfoliating, you are probably overdoing it. Each person has to determine the frequency that is optimal for their own skin.

• Treat
  Apply a 2.5-10% benzoyl peroxide cream directly to your acne bumps after you cleanse. Benzoyl peroxide sensitivity or allergy is not uncommon. Redness, scaling and itching are the usual symptoms. If you don't tolerate benzoyl peroxide, you can try a salicylic acid spot treatment available over the counter, or see your dermatologist for a variety of topical alternatives.

Bacne Be Gone!
In the summer you want to bare it all, but this can be embarrassing if you've got unsightly acne bumps on your back and chest. Noxzema's Triple Clean Antibacterial Lathering Cleanser and Anti-Blemish Pads are a winning bacne busting combo. With the powerful antiseptic triclosan, the cleanser washes away acne-causing bacteria. At bedtime, after cleansing, smooth the refreshing 2% salicylic acid pads over bumps to treat them and reduce redness.

Bacne is often caused by friction or rubbing which can inflame sensitive hair follicles. Prevent bumps by practicing gentle, non-abrasive cleansing with your hands or a soft wash cloth. Also, be sure to avoid wearing knapsacks, bags with shoulder straps that rub and excessively tight or poorly-fitting bras.