Here are the best ten daily routine tips to follow if you struggle with acne.
I first want to start by saying acne is a genetic condition, which ultimately cannot be cured but you can be cleared of acne and it can be managed. Although we all have different skin, these ten steps below can be beneficial for anyone who struggles with acne.
Tip #1: The first one on this list is getting on the correct regimen for your skin type and acneic condition. What may work for one person may not work for another. The best way to get on the correct regimen is by seeing an Esthetician who is a certified Acne specialist, or a Dermatologist. Once you have started a new regimen, staying consistent is top priority. Cleansing your face day and night without missing a day, especially in the beginning stages of starting a new regimen are so important. If you do have acne-prone skin, the Acn-eradicator bundle is for you!
Tip #2: Using a clean bacteria-free face towel every time you wash and dry your face. I would stay away from regular face towels, as they can still contain leftover bacteria even after being washed. Instead using an alternative like Clean Skin Club Clean Towels.
Tip #3: Don’t be afraid of chemical exfoliants. One of my favorite ingredients for acne is Salicylic acid which is a BHA (beta hydroxy acid). Salicylic acid will help to control excess oil production, and it helps to treat acne by reducing the swelling and inflamed breakouts. It will also exfoliate by unblocking clogged pores and dead skin buildup. The Clean Slate Clearing Mistis FDA approved as an acne treatment and is supercharged with salicylic acid.
Tip #4: Being mindful of food triggers in your diet, which can definitely play a role in making your acne worse. When you get to the root of your particular triggers you can have a better grip on controlling the breakouts. I want to debunk the myth that it's greasy foods and pop that causes acne, although it is wise to eat these in moderation anyways, these wouldn’t be the particular cause. I want to highlight the most known common acne triggers instead which are dairy, excess sugar, and peanut butter. Always understand that everyone is different.
Tip #5: Never falling asleep in your makeup. Not only is it bad for your skin, but you could also be using pore clogging makeup as well. You want to make sure you are always double cleansing at night. The best way to do this is either with a gentle cleanser or a non-comedogenic cleanser first, then following up with your stronger cleanser. This ensures that all of your makeup is off of your face. Never use makeup wipes to take off makeup, these are harsh on the skin and your barrier.
Tip #6: Don’t forget to wash your pillowcases. My rule of thumb is sleep on it twice on one side and twice on the other, then make sure to wash the pillowcases. Our pillowcases can have bacteria buildup over time. Always stick with a dye and fragrance-free laundry detergent to avoid any excess irritation to the pores.
Tip #7: Get in the habit of taking a gut friendly vitamin such as a probiotic daily. This will keep your gut bacteria healthy which can reduce inflammation internally, and will eventually start to show on the surface of your skin.
Tip #8: Find ways to manage your stress levels. Stress is known to be the number one acne trigger. It will boost cortisol levels which increases your sebum (oil) production in your skin. Although stress management looks different for everyone, some of my favorites that I’ve found to be helpful in alleviating stress are staying active, journaling, meditation, and overall doing the things that you love.
Tip #9: Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet full of lots of water, fruits, and vegetables. It’s okay to have our indulging moments, but we ultimately want to make sure we keep our water intake high, as it's our best way of flushing toxins out of our body. You also want to be incorporating fruits and vegetables in your daily meals - especially leafy greens, any fruit in the berry family, and lastly green tea which all contain a high level of antioxidants.
Tip #10: The last and most important step is to wear your SPF. This is the protective product of your regimen. Even when you don’t leave the house you want to be applying SPF to protect your skin against those UVA/ UVB rays. Without wearing spf your skin is open to so many irritations, environmental stressors, and sun damage which can all worsen acne.
If you have been struggling with acne or have acne-prone skin, the Acn-eradicator bundle will be perfect for you!
Thank you for reading!
This article of the Skinsider Scoop was graciously written by L.M.E and Acne Specialist, Shakira Robinson, and edited by the Clean Skin Club team. If you're interested in more from Shakira, please shoot us an email, and follow her Instagram -@shakiraskintips