Acne, blemishes and pesky spots can be annoying and it can often be difficult to pinpoint the cause of the breakout. If you’re wondering how to get rid of acne, then discover our skincare heroes which can help to promote a more even, blemish-free complexion.
What Causes Acne?
Acne occurs when the skin’s sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, causing the skin to become oily and blocking the pores, leading to acne breakouts. There are many different reasons for the skin’s overproduction of sebum, including:
- Hormone Imbalances
- Stress
- Lifestyle
- Diet
- Inadequate Cleansing
- Over-Cleansing
- Using The Wrong Skincare Products
The sebaceous glands are extremely sensitive to hormones and the slightest change can cause the overproduction of oil, leading to pesky break outs. Stress has a similar effect on the sebaceous glands, so it’s important to monitor your stress levels if you’re prone to acne breakouts. Stress causes the body to release the hormone, cortisol, that can increase the skin’s oil production and clog the pores.
If you often find yourself feeling stressed, take some time out to meditate, work out or yoga to help to reduce your stress levels. The Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm can help to promote relaxation, helping you to de-stress and unwind, reducing the body’s cortisol levels.
Lifestyle habits, such as smoking, alcohol and sunbeds can all exacerbate acne breakouts, so if you’re frequently dealing with pesky breakouts, it might be time to reevaluate your lifestyle habits. Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen that’s available to travel to your face and the carcinogens in the smoke irritate the skin, causing pimples and zits to appear.
Acne can be caused by excessive drinking, as alcohol can cause a change in hormone levels, stimulating the sebaceous gland’s oil production.
Spending too much time exposed to UV rays not only increases your risk of skin cancer and premature aging, it can also lead to breakouts in the long run. Although zits may clear up in the sun, it actually dries the skin out and triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more oil in order to rehydrate, leading to more breakouts in the future. Make sure you’re always using a broad-spectrum SPF protection specifically for oily skin, such as the Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30, when you’re exposed to UV rays.
The Best Skincare For Acne-Prone Skin
Your skincare regime can either help to promote a glowing, clear complexion, or it can exacerbate breakouts, leading to more zits, pimples and redness. It’s important to make sure that you’re using the right skincare products for your skin type in order to keep breakouts at bay.
Cleanser For Acne-Prone Skin
Adequately cleansing your skin is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce acne breakouts. It’s important to wash your face with a gentle oil-free cleanser like the Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash. The foaming face wash works to gently remove dead skin cells, dirt and excess oil to help reduce breakouts, keeping the skin calm and healthy. It might be tempting, but it’s important not to over-cleanse your skin, as this can irritate acne-prone skin, so stick to cleansing your skin each morning and evening to keep your skin healthy and happy.
The FOREO LUNA Mini 2will help you to achieve a deep, thorough cleanse. The hygienic cleansing brush helps to remove oil, make up and breakout-causing impurities with the T-Sonic ™ technology, helping to smooth and refine the skin in just three days.
Exfoliator For Acne-Prone Skin
You might think that harsh exfoliating treatments will help to get rid of your zits, but acne-prone skin needs to be treated with care as it’s actually very sensitive. Over-exfoliation can dry out the skin, causing it to be tight, red and sore and increasing the occurrence of breakouts.
Instead of using harsh, physical exfoliators, opt for a chemical exfoliant which work to remove bacteria from the pores, as well as speeding up the skin’s cell renewal. The Pai Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask is enriched with a high concentration of alpha hydroxyl acids, which work to unclog the pores, improve skin tone and promote a more even, smooth complexion.
Toner For Acne-Prone Skin
Using the correct toner for your skin type can help to restore the skin’s natural pH balance. The Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner has been specifically formulated for teenage skin. The combination of Sweet Betty Flower, plant glycerin and de-ionized water work together to keep reduce inflammation, maintain moisture levels and increase the efficacy of your other skin treatments.
Moisturizer For Acne-Prone Skin
If you suffer from oily, acne-prone skin, you might be tempted to skip the moisturizer, thinking that it will exacerbate your oily complexion, however, it actually does the opposite! Dry, dehydrated skin tends to overproduceoil in an attempt to rehydrate itself, leading to shiny, blemish-prone skin.
It’s important to choose a moisturizer that’s been specifically formulated for oily skin, such as the oil-freeCaudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid. The lightweight formula is packed with organicgrape water and flax seed powder which work to control oil production as well as reactivating the skin’s hydration mechanisms to prevent dehydrated skin, to leave you with a calm, matte complexion.
Face Mask For Acne-Prone Skin
A weekly face mask can transform your acne-prone skin, promoting a clear, radiant complexion. The FOREO UFO Activated Masks - Glow Addict is infused with Pearl extract and Niacinamide to brighten and correct the appearance of uneven tone, plus a dose of antioxidant Vitamin E to protect skin's moisture barrier and maintain a healthy-looking, dewy complexion. Pair with a UFO or UFO mini for a 90-second brightening facial treatment. Skin appears visibly brightened and illuminated.
Emergency Treatments For Acne-Prone Skin
If you’re caught in a blemish-emergency, it helps to have an emergency spot treatment on hand to clear your complexion. The Peter Thomas Roth Acne Patches are non-irritating, invisible patches which have been designed to get rid of blemishes and acne in as little as eight hours. The translucent patches minimize the visibility of zits when worn and the infusion of Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil and Hyaluronic Acid work to clear the blemish to leave you with healthy, happy skin.
