How to Manage Acne
What’s your (skin) problem?
Acne.
Ugh.
No one bats an eye when they see a pimply teen. Getting acne in your adolescence is so common that it’s often thought of as a rite-of-passage of sorts - albeit a very uncomfortable and embarrassing one. But what happens when acne follows us for longer, rearing its head at inopportune moments? What do we do then?
Acne, a condition caused by the blockage of your skin’s hair follicles, can be triggered by a variety of factors. Acne can be triggered by hormonal changes, your diet, skin damage by UV rays, and even poor sleep. So when you’re experiencing an acne flare, immediate steps you can take are to adjust your diet, working on your sleep schedule, and watching your face time with the sun. But how can your skincare help?
Skincare routine for active acne
What’s happening on your skin when you’re experiencing acne is that your sebaceous glands are overproducing sebum and that excess sebum is interacting with dirt and bacteria which blocks the follicle. This blockage can cause the skin to be raised, resulting in a whitehead, or even open up the skin, resulting in a blackhead.
When dealing with active acne, you’re going to want to look out for skincare products that are gentle and lightweight so as to not add fuel to the fire. You just need the basics covered.
Choosing products that can reduce excess sebum such as the Bija Trouble Cleansing Foam, Bija Trouble Toner, and Bija Trouble Lotion which are formulated with bija seed oil to help clean the skin’s surface, ridding it of excess sebum and dead skin cell buildup while moisturizing the skin. A soothing product like the Baja Cica Balm EX is a nice way to top off this simple skincare routine, and helps to reduce the redness appearance and irritation expected with active acne.
What to do after acne
Once your acne has started to clear up, you get to enter the maintenance phase! The bedrock of healthy skin is a strong moisture barrier. My go-to for all things moisture barrier is INNISFREE’s Green Tea line. The focus of this line is delivering hydration to your skin and balancing your skin’s pH levels to help develop and facilitate a strong and resilient skin barrier. The products are lightweight but contain Beauty Green Tea as well as encapsulated hyaluronic acid that can send hydration deep into the skin.
But after acne also comes post-acne marks. One of the hallmarks of post-acne skin is scarring, dark spots, and an uneven skin texture which can lead to dull-looking skin. If this is you, a helpful tool to have at your disposal is the Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule which contains pure retinol, an ingredient known for increasing skin cell turnover, leading to smoother feeling skin. Following a routine like this with the protective features of the Retinol Cica Barrier Defense Cream is the cherry on top for warding away your next acne attack.
Something to keep in mind
Acne is a common occurrence, but it’s not always predictable. Of course, most of us are after clear complexions that we can wear proudly, but I’d like to remind you that having acne is not a moral failure. It’s just part of being alive. We have our good days and our bad days and the most important thing is to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
Hold your head high!
x
Gi