The OSPT Skin Type is Oily, Sensitive, Pigmented, and Tight. Most people with this skin type are younger than 30, have a Fitzpatrick Skin Type of III or higher, and struggle with acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

While the combination of acne and pigmentation issues can be a challenge for this skin type, the right skincare regimen and treatments can help OSPTs achieve a clear, even, and healthy complexion.

OSPT skin types only have two of the four barriers to skin health, so dehydration and signs of aging are not concerns for this type. A properly functioning skin barrier helps to retain a healthy level of hydration and prevent allergens and irritants from entering the skin.

Wearing daily sunscreen and practicing healthy lifestyle habits such as avoiding indoor and outdoor tanning, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress will help younger OSPT types maintain wrinkle-free skin.

The two barriers to skin health that are often a challenge for OSPT types are inflammation and pigmentation. Underlying inflammation is what classifies OSPT skin as “sensitive” and, along with excessive oiliness, is also a root cause of acne.

When acne triggers an inflammatory response in your skin, you may be left with dark spots where the acne lesion was. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or post-inflammatory pigment alteration (PIPA).

This cycle of acne lesions followed by acne scars can be a frustrating cycle for OSPT skin types. However, taking steps to prevent acne from occurring in the first place can stop this cycle and give you the clear, acne-free skin you are looking for.

The best skincare ingredients for OSPT skin will help to control acne and excessive oil production without irritating sensitive skin. Other important ingredients for OSPTs have skin-brightening qualities, such as vitamin C, to treat dark spots caused by PIPA. Some of the best ingredients for this type include:

Ascorbic acid

Benzoyl peroxide

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Hexylresorcinol

Hydroquinone

Kojic acid

Methyl dihydroxybenzoate

Niacinamide

Resorcinol

Retinol

Salicylic acid

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Tranexamic acid

OSPTs should take care to avoid skincare ingredients that can clog pores or cause irritation and more inflammation. Some of the ingredients to avoid include:

Isopropyl myristate

Myristyl myristate

Myristyl propionate

Octyl palmitate

Octyl stearate

OSPT skin types should use a foaming cleanser to help control the amount of oil on the skin. Salicylic acid cleansers are also a good choice for OSPTs struggling to manage acne. Other treatment products for OSPTs may include skin-brightening products, anti-inflammatory ingredients, antioxidants, and retinoids.

Consider skin lightening ingredients like tyrosinase inhibitors or PAR-2 blockers to take care of your skin type's pigmentation concerns.

OSPTs should choose a non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) sunscreen to wear on a daily basis. Use SPF 15 or higher when mostly indoors, or SPF 30 or higher when outside for an hour or more.

Like other oily skin types, OSPTs should avoid using products with ingredients that can cause clogged pores and acne. These include coconut oil, emollients like isopropyl myristate, silicones like dimethicone, and others.

As a sensitive skin type, OSPTs should also avoid using products that can cause irritation, redness, and other signs of inflammation. One tip is to wash your face as the last step when showering so that any ingredients in your hair products that could cause clogged pores or irritation are thoroughly washed off your skin.

Salicylic acid peels with skin-brightening ingredients, facial extractions, and HydraFacials can all be good options for OSPT types with acne and pigmentation concerns.

This skin type should avoid blue light therapy, laser treatments, and IPL treatments, as these can worsen pigmentation.

While the majority of OSPT skin types struggle with acne and related pigmentation problems, following a consistent skincare regimen aimed at preventing acne rather than treating lesions and scars will leave this skin type with a healthy, clear complexion and even skin tone.