Blotting papers are practically a godsend when it comes to banishing midday shine. When you look at all the oil that they remove from your skin, you can’t help but want to personally thank whoever invented them. But could they possibly do more than just get rid of shine—such as fight acne?
“Blotting papers reduce the oil film on the skin,” says Red Bank, NJ, dermatologist Glenn Kolansky, MD. “The paper absorbs some, but not all, of the oil on the skin and this can reduce the shine from the oil.” However, since it does not remove all of the oil left on the skin, you’re still going to need to cleanse to remove all the dirt and oil. “Since the cause of acne is sebum that clogs the pores and bacterial growth, blotting does very little to reduce acne.”
So even though blotting paper can’t reduce acne, it still has a place in your makeup and gym bag. They’re especially useful if your goal is to avoid powder makeup. And while it’s best to wash your face post-workout to get all the buildup off your face, celebrity makeup artist Aura Schwartz, recommends it to blot off excess oils if you’re in a hurry.
