For the second installment of my acne series, I’m going to cover how to care for acne or spot-prone skin.
Blemishes are the single biggest skin issue I get asked about – everyone from sixteen to sixty year olds can suffer from them!
I know first-hand just how overwhelming navigating the vast market of products for acne-prone skin can be, so I’ve put together my five golden rules to help you care for, and clear up unpredictable spot-prone skin.
1. Goodbye foam!
Saying goodbye to detergent-based, foaming Cleansers is one of the best things you can do for your skin.
Detergents strip the skin of all its precious and protective oils, leaving it imbalanced and exposed. There’s more information about which detergents to look out for and avoid here.
Ditch your foaming Cleanser for a gentle, detergent free option like our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, which removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin.
Need convincing? Check out Laura’s review of our Cleanser.
2. Don’t pick…
Mum’s right about this – picking, poking or prodding spots is only going to make them worse by irritating the skin, driving infection deeper and potentially leaving scarring.
Instead, very gently exfoliate the area using your Muslin Cloth during cleansing, and then apply a dot of our Copaiba & Zinc Blemish Serum overnight, which doubles up as a fantastic targeted spot treatment.
3. Avoid harsh products
Lots of the products aimed at acne-prone skin can be very harsh, particularly on skin that’s already imbalanced or sensitive.
Benzyl Peroxide is a common ingredient that a lot of people struggle with in topical acne treatments – it’s incredibly sensitising and can cause redness, flaking and extremely dry skin.
It bleaches fabric that it comes into contact with, so you can only imagine how harsh it is on the skin.
Salicylic Acid is another ingredient to watch out for if you’re on the sensitive side. Again, it’s very drying on the skin and can cause redness and reactions.
4. Don’t be afraid of oil!
Applying a Facial Oil to oily, acne-prone skin can seem seriously counterintuitive, but it can work wonders!
Oils are fantastic for helping to rebalance, condition and repair skin. Often using a Facial Oil on oily skin can help to regulate the skin’s oil production, which in turn reduces congestion.
I swear by our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil for drawing out or clearing up stubborn spots. Just be sure to apply a small amount, 2-3 drops is more than enough.
5. Relax!
This month has been one of the busiest in Pai’s history – I’ve been burning the candle every which way, and for the first time in ages have suffered some pretty bad breakouts.
It’s been a useful reminder of just how much stress affects my skin and why down-time is so important.
Find something that helps you unwind, whether that’s reading, walking, meditation or yoga and try and do a little bit everyday. I promise you’ll notice a difference.
Finally – remember that products are just one piece of the puzzle when dealing with difficult, unpredictable skin. Take a step back and assess your diet, lifestyle and general wellbeing – they all play a huge role in happy, healthy skin.
Stay tuned for part three of my acne series next week!
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