Most people are continuously in the pursuit of clear skin. Unfortunately, dealing with acne does not necessarily end once you reach a certain age. Acne can strike at any age. Many of us are still battling stubborn acne breakouts, even when our teen years are far off in the past.
We often refer to acne as the worst kind of house guest you can imagine - just showing up with no warning, uninvited and at the least convenient time.
LifeScape Premier’s Onsite Medical Aesthetician, Noelle Cesario, regularly sees patients dealing with stubborn, blemish-prone skin. In this post she breaks down what you need to know about acne skin care including how to prevent and treat acne before it overstays its welcome.
Noelle’s Top 6 Acne Skin Care Tips You Need Now
It could be what you’re eating
Foods can be a huge culprit for acne sufferers.. Any acne flare ups could easily be a food allergy such as dairy or wheat sensitivity. Some studies show that cutting back on dairy, for instance, can be an effective way to alleviate acne symptoms. Here are 10 foods from SHAPE that can make you break out. There definitely is a connection between what we eat and the condition of our skin.
Recommendation: We highly recommend keeping a close eye on what you are eating to recognize any correlations. Try cutting out sugar, wheat or dairy to see if your skin condition improves. In addition, getting allergy testing done to see which foods (if any) you are allergic to can quickly show you what you need to do next.
Your cell phone could be the culprit
Your cell phone can be a hub of germs and bacteria that can cause acne breakouts. If you find that most breakouts are on the side of your cheek where you hold your phone, this could certainly be the case for you.
Recommendation: Always clean your cell phone! Regularly wipe your cell phone down with an alcohol wipe to avoid bacteria buildup.
Avoid touching your face
Stop touching your face. Seriously. Your hands also carry bacteria, so if you find yourself leaning on your hands or touching your face regularly, try to avoid doing so at all costs. Remember to minimize touching your face—or avoid it altogether—especially when your hands are dirty or sweaty.
Recommendation: Stop touching your face! Resist the urge each time you raise your hand or finger up towards it. Use a fidget spinner to keep your hands busy. (You see this primarily with students sitting at their desk for long periods of time out of boredom.)
Stay out of the sun
Many acne sufferers think that by drying out their skin with sun, that they will help stop producing excess oil that might be causing breakouts. This couldn’t be further from the truth. You want to balance your skin with nourishing skincare. By drying out your skin, your body will actually thinks it needs to make more sebum oil which just over-stimulates the oil glands making your face break out more, not less.
Recommendation: Avoid sun exposure when possible. Here are a few of our other favorite tips to protect yourself from the sun:
- wear a wide brimmed hat
- wear sunglasses with UV ray protection
- always wear sunscreen to help protect your skin while you are in the sun
Know what type of acne you have
Not all skin is the same. It matters what type of acne you suffer from when deciding what skincare ingredients you should be using on your skin. Common acne preventing ingredients are Retin-A, Benzoyl peroxide and Salicylic acid. Seek out a professional to recommend what active ingredients will help you based on the type of acne you have.
Recommendation: Book an appointment with Noelle, our certified specialist in acne skin care. She will help you pinpoint precisely which type of acne you have and then work with you towards a solution specific to your exact needs.
Start taking supplements
Specific supplements can be a more natural and effective way to treat acne. Your body needs a good balance of nutrients to stay healthy and your skin is no different. After all, it is the largest organ in the body. Take supplements that are anti-inflammatory such as fish oil (Omegas), zinc, and a probiotic to help treat and prevent acne breakouts.
Recommendation: After your appointment with Noelle, you can get a list together of the best supplements for your skin. Then, hit the store or go online shopping stat!
The best acne skin care advice?
Seek out a skin care professional that is certified specialist in acne. Noelle is certified as a “Face Reality Acne Specialist”. Your face will be in good hands.
Noelle will provide customized treatments to maximize the skin you have, keeping it hydrated and glowing, and prevent premature signs of aging. Here’s to beautiful, healthy skin!
