ORPW - Oily, Resistant, Pigmented, Wrinkle-prone

Because ORPW skin is Resistant, it can usually tolerate some of the strongest skin-lightening ingredients used for hyperpigmentation. This gives ORPW skin more treatment options than Sensitive Pigmented skin types.

Cysteamine, found in Cyspera, is a powerful option for stubborn hyperpigmentation and melasma. Hexylresorcinol, found in Medature HydroBright, is another potent skin-lightening ingredient that can be incorporated into an ORPW routine. Other pigmentation treatments can be selected depending on the cause and severity of the dark spots.

The advantage of ORPW skin is that effective skin lighteners can often be combined with retinoids and other treatment products without the same degree of irritation seen in Sensitive skin types. However, the products still need to be introduced correctly and used in the proper order.

Even though ORPW skin is Resistant, it is usually best to begin with a lower-strength retinoid so the skin can adjust.

Once the skin is tolerating the retinoid without significant redness, peeling or irritation, ORPW skin can often progress more rapidly to a medium-strength retinoid and eventually a prescription-strength retinoid than Sensitive skin types can.

Retinoids are particularly useful for ORPW because they can improve fine lines, skin texture and signs of photoaging while also helping other ingredients used to treat uneven pigmentation work more effectively.

For appropriate patients, a dermatologist may prescribe a triple-combination cream containing hydroquinone, tretinoin and a mild topical corticosteroid. This combination can produce relatively rapid improvement in melasma and other appropriate forms of facial hyperpigmentation and is one of the strongest prescription approaches available.

However, triple-combination therapy is not appropriate for everyone and should be supervised by a dermatologist. It may be a poor choice for an ORPW patient who is acne-prone because the topical corticosteroid can trigger or worsen steroid-induced acneiform eruptions. Long-term continuous use of hydroquinone or topical corticosteroids also requires medical supervision.

The cause of the pigmentation matters, so persistent or changing dark spots should be correctly diagnosed before beginning prescription treatment.

Sunscreen is essential for ORPW skin because sun exposure contributes to both hyperpigmentation and skin aging. The challenge is finding a sunscreen that provides excellent protection without making oily skin feel greasy or contributing to clogged pores.

Look for a lightweight, noncomedogenic broad-spectrum sunscreen that feels comfortable enough to wear every day. For melasma and other pigmentation problems, a tinted sunscreen containing iron oxides can provide additional protection against visible light, which can contribute to hyperpigmentation.

The best sunscreen for ORPW is one that provides appropriate UV protection, does not feel excessively heavy or oily, does not clog pores and is comfortable enough to use consistently every morning. The susncreens chson in this collection are tinted to give you some extra protection so your dark spots clear faster.