♡ Getting Rid of Acne ♡

There are necessary steps to take in any basic skin care routine (e.g. cleanse, tone, moisturize) but when you struggle with acne, you want to make sure all of your bases are covered. I have acne prone skin so I understand how awful it can make you look and feel. My breakouts are mainly stress-induced and/or hormonal but I've tried just about everything and found what works for me. Here I've gathered all of my best tips, researched their benefits and put it all into one post just for you! 

Your Skin Type

Sometimes when picking out products we forget to consider our skin type and that it can change with the seasons (for example, my skin is more oily in the summer and more dry in the winter) There are various skin types: dry, oily, normal, normal to oily, normal to dry, aged, sensitive, etc. and your skin can also be any combination of these. The good thing is that nowadays, there are products for every skin type so that your skin's specific needs are catered to.
 

  Give your skin a break

Whenever I have a major breakout or breakouts, I try to take at least a week off from wearing makeup or wear the absolute bare minimum. This way, your skin and pores can breathe and try to repair itself. If you clog up your pores with makeup, it can irritate your skin and when you pile and cake makeup on top of breakouts, it can spread bacteria and cause more breakouts.

 Quick Fixes:

If money is no object, there are higher end products that can clear you skin within days. My favorite brand is Dermalogica. While they are pricey compared to drugstore products, I can confirm it is worth it. They have a huge selection for all skin types. When my acne was at it's worst, Dermalogica stopped my breakouts and cleared my skin within a week and a half. Now that my acne is under control, whenever I do have an occasional breakout, it clears within one or two days of using their products. You can buy Dermalogica individually or in a set and you can find them online or at Ulta.

Spot Treatments

Whether they are high-end or from the drugstore, spot treatments have never failed me. These work wonders for problem areas or for that one pesky zit that just won't go away. Usually, a spot treatment will kill and fade my acne within a few hours or overnight. A drugstore treatment works but most of the time will dry the area out. Something more expensive will leave the skin smooth, like the acne was never there to begin with. My favorite drugstore spot treatment is Zapzyt, which you can find at any drugstore like Walmart or Walgreens. My favorite high-end spot treatment (which isn't even that expensive) is the Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix.

Cleanliness

If you're prone to breakouts, it's important that anything that touches your face is clean and sanitary. Here's a quick check list of every day items that should be cleaned/disinfected/sanitized daily or weekly:

Diet 

One thing that can help is changing your diet. Too many sweets, salty and greasy foods may be the reason you're breaking out. If these foods are the cause of your acne, can you imagine what it's doing to the inside of you? Trading sweets for fruits (rich in antioxidants) and salty foods for vegetables (which have vitamin c for bright, youthful skin and a healthy glow) can greatly improve your skin. Drinking plenty of water is also key! You want to stay hydrated from the inside out and cleanse your body of impurities and toxins. Drinking enough water is something I struggle with most but I find that keeping a bottle close by at work reminds me to drink through out the day. 

Facials/Exfoliants/Face Masks

*Getting a facial from a professional can heal your breakouts and improve the overall health of your skin. Facials are very relaxing and calming but best of all, they don't have to be expensive! Call the nearest cosmetology school and make an appointment. When I was in school, we had clients that would come in regularly every week for facials. There are many types of facials to choose from, all beneficial, and you don't have to spend as much!

*Exfoliants, when used correctly, can not only clear your breakouts but can also reveal brighter, smoother and more youthful looking skin. If you're worried that exfoliating is too rough for your skin, there are gentler options such as exfoliants with finer beads or you can just use a warm, damp wash cloth with your favorite cleanser and gently rub your face in circular motions. It is important to exfoliate only once a week to once every 10 days though because over exfoliation can cause more breakouts, dry/raw skin and lead to skin damage.

*These days, there is a facial mask for just about any skin or acne related problem like stress-induced acne, dry skin, brightening, detoxifying, the list goes on and on! Using a face mask at the end of each week can be relaxing and so good for your skin, not to mention some of them smell amazinggg. Just remember not to use a facial mask the same week you exfoliate because both take off a thin layer of skin and if you've already done one, doing the other without letting the skin heal can lead to over exfoliation and skin damage. 

If all else fails,

and nothing seems to work, it may be time to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists can diagnose any skin disorders you may have and give further advice and options. They can also prescribe medication to heal and clear your acne in the form of a pill or cream. Doctor's know best and are there to help you so don't be shy or afraid to ask! 

I hope you try some of these suggestions and that you find something that works best for you! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments or send me an email. For all other business inquiries contact me at lyndsikay234@yahoo.com. Thank you for reading! Xo