We all want to have clear, spot-free skin, but it is often far easier said than done. If your skin is prone to breakouts it can sometimes feel like nothing works. But you know what? There are plenty of things that you can do to lessen a bit the intensity and lower the frequency of acne breakouts. Check out some tips below!
Wash your face frequently
Ideally, you should wash your face with lukewarm water and a facial cleanser that is mild enough as to not cause irritation to your skin. Avoid using soap because it can be very harsh on the skin and cause more irritation which could leave you with redder, sorer skin than before
Make sure to moisturise
Often, when you are prone to breakouts, many of the products you use to try and keep them under control will actually dry out your skin. This can cause your face to peel and become irritated which can actually lead to more breakouts happening. The good news is, it’s really easy to avoid by simply taking the time to moisturise twice every day. Just make sure you choose the right type of moisturiser for your skin type, or again, you could end up causing more irritation rather than less.
Apply Hyaluronic acid
Skincare products like the ones you will find by The Ordinary skincare, which contain hyaluronic acid, are a must if you suffer from bad skin. Not only can it reduce the red, angry appearance of acne, but it can also help to fill in scars and basically give you a much more flawless complexion than you had before. It is safe, in most cases, to use it daily, but do read the instructions on your hyaluronic acid products, and if you experience any irritation, it may be best to stop use. Most people are, however, completely fine with daily use so it is worth giving it a try.
Keep makeup to a minimum
Make-up can make you look and feel good and when you suffer from breakouts, you might think that the more the better to cover up your perceived flaws. However, makeup can make acne worse, which is why you should try to get by with the minimum possible. If you must wear foundation, then a tinted moisturiser is going to be much healthier for your skin. Oil-free makeup is also less likely to cause you a problem in the acne department.
And if you do wear makeup, please make sure that you remove it without fail at the end of the evening because if you don’t, it could end up clogging your pores and then it’s only a matter of time before you get spots.
Use fewer hair products
If you have long hair, makeup may not be the only thing you need to think carefully about using if you want to avoid breakouts. Hair products like gels, oils and fragrances hairsprays can all get onto your skin and block your pores. Using products that are fragrance and oil-free where possible will really help to minimise the appearance of spots near the areas your hair is likely to touch.
Keep hair clean
On the subject of hair, it’s also very important to keep your hair as clean as possible, if your hair is oily, that oil could get on your face and into your pores, which would not be good news for your complexion. This is also why it’s a good idea to keep your hair up off your face if you can.
Don’t touch
Touching your face is something that often comes naturally. Many of us do it multiple times a day without even thinking. However, it is really not a good idea to do so if you want to banish breakouts. Why? Because touching your face can transfer bacteria from your hands to your face, which could lead to spots and pimples forming or getting further infected which will obviously make them look worse and feel more painful.
Stay in the shade
There is a common misconception that the sun is great for getting rid of acne and breakouts. However, the sun’s UV rays can cause higher levels of redness and inflammation, as well as hyperpigmentation. So, if you suffer from acne, it really is a good idea to stay out of the sun as much as possible, especially when it is at its hottest. If you do need to go out in the sun, then wearing sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF is a must. These days you can get breakout-friendly sunscreen products which are usually labelled “non-comedogenic” so try to choose them if you can.
Maintain a healthy diet
Although it is mostly a myth that foods like chocolate and potato chips are a major cause of acne and pimples, it is still the case that the healthier your diet is, the healthier and more glowing your skin will be. Fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains will give your body everything it needs to grow and heal in a healthy way, whereas foods like sugar and dairy can sometimes trigger acne, so try to avoid them if you possibly can.
Exercise regularly too
It’s also a really good idea to get some exercise in every day. Doing so will help to increase blood flow to your skin, which will help it to stay healthy as much as possible. When you’re exercising, be sure to wear a sweatband to keep your hair off your face and to catch any sweat before it gets into your pores. It may also be a good idea to shower as soon as you are done exercising, just to keep your skin as clean and healthy as possible.
Learn to relax
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that being stressed out can increase the number and severity of pimples and acne. If you are regularly stressed out, your body will release more cortisol than usual and this can cause a whole lot of issues for your body, including your skin so it really is something that you need to deal with.
Some things that can help with stress are learning how to meditate, living more mindfully, treating yourself to a spa day or curling up with a good book, but you are the best person to know what will help you decompress after a stressful day.
Seek professional help
If nothing else works and you are still prone to breakouts or acne, then you may want to get in touch with a good dermatologist who may be able to get to the bottom of the problem and prescribe you various treatments that will hopefully help to reduce your symptoms.
As you can see, there are lots of things you can do to get your breakouts under control. It may be that not all of them work for you but if you try as many as you can, you should find some combination that does help to keep those spots at bay to give you the clear complexion you’ve always wanted.