By
Holly Mason, founder of the Skin Investment Clinic, taken from her Ebook
‘Eliminating acne and acne scarring: proven secrets’
Whether you’re 15, 25
or 45, acne is unpleasant. When the pores of the skin
become blocked with dead skin cells, grime, dirt, oils and excess sebum
it causes pus-filled bumps to appear, which we call
acne. These can appear on your face, neck, chest, back, shoulders or
arms. Causes of acne include shifting hormones, incorrect skincare, bacteria,
inflammation from intolerances or stress, cosmetics, diet and even the wearing
of facemasks to help prevent Covid-19. Acne not only affects skin, it can also
hugely affect your confidence, so tackling it is important for overall
wellbeing too.
Treating acne is a
long-term journey which requires patience. But the good news is there are many
tricks to try at home or in a clinic which can work wonders on clearing up your
skin before heading to the doctor.
Use a mild cleanser
The
key word here is mild. It is crucial to wash your face twice a day with
a mild, water soluble cleanser to prevent redness, help the skin heal and
reduce sebum production. Stay away from bars of soap or aggressive cleansers as
they dry out the skin and can block pores. Coarse scrubs can also irritate the
skin and make the problem worse. And remember: you can’t scrub away spots and
blackheads.
Exfoliate with salicylic acid
This
removes dead skin cells and stimulates healthy cell rejuvenation, both on the
surface of the skin and in the pores. Salicylic acid also helps with redness
and inflammation and fights spot-causing bacteria.
Fight bacteria with benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl
peroxide comes in solutions ranging from 2.5% to 10% concentration which you
can find over the counter at a pharmacy or chemist. Begin with a lower
concentration as a lotion containing 2.5% benzoyl peroxide will be less
irritating to the skin than a solution of 5% or 10% and may be just as
effective. Alternatively, speak with your trusted aesthetic
practitioner or dermatologist about chemical peels such as salicylic and
azelaic acid which can produce incredible results.
Protect your skin from sun damage
This
cannot be emphasised enough: the skin cannot heal spots if it is also fighting
sun damage. A good sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 will help spots to heal
more quickly and protect the skin from further damage. I recommend using a gel
cream as it will not clog pores.
Use a sebum-absorbing clay face mask regularly
It’s
important to soak up excess sebum to help prevent future breakouts. I recommend
using a natural clay mask which does not irritate or dry the skin too much.Make sure your
skincare products do not contain irritating substances such as alcohol. They
are very common in sebum-absorbing products for spots but can cause cause a
dry, flaky and red skin.
Watch your diet
Good nutrition is key for your skin. As every body is different there is
no definitive list of foods that cause acne, but attention can be paid to foods
that cause inflammation and so are arguably best avoided. Sugar, dairy and
alcohol can trigger inflammation and acne so experimenting with reducing those
could help. Always talk to your doctor before changing your diet. Drinking
plenty of water helps keep skin clear and taking in good levels of vitamin A, C
and E can also help, so get munching on carrots, mangoes and melon.
Antioxidants found in foods such as blueberries, blackberries, goji berries and
cherries are great for skin, as well as Omega 3 fatty acids which you can get
from animal protein, fish and eggs. Zinc, found in dark chocolate and oysters
is a powerful acne-fighting nutrient, and red peppers and watermelons also
contain lycopene which reduces inflammation and stimulates cell renewal.
Change
your facemask daily
Since the
start of the Covid 19 pandemic acne cases on chins, cheeks and around mouths
have become more frequent due to the use of facemasks. This ‘maskne’ is caused by extra heat, friction, moisture
and pressure on the face from covering the skin for long periods. This creates
the ideal environment for bacteria, yeast and mites to grow while the mask
blocks oil glands and hair follicles creating the perfect setting for skin
irritation and spots. To avoid ‘maskne’, stay away from heavy make-up (nobody
is seeing your lower face anyway), drink a lot of water, try to wear a silk
mask if possible and, crucially, wear a clean mask every single day. Although
it may be tempting, try to avoid abrasive face scrubs and exfoliants and
instead use products that support the skin’s natural protective barrier such as
hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, urea and niacinamide.
Consider clinical treatment
If at-home
treatments aren’t producing the results you want, seeing an experienced
aesthetic practitioner is a good next step before visiting your GP. Clinical
treatments for mild acne include microdermabrasion, vacuum suction and oxygen
treatment. These can all help with eliminating blackheads, reducing scarring
and improving the look of the skin. For moderate or severe acne, chemical peels
can work wonders. Salycylic acid or combination peels can release hardened
sebum, calm blemishes, lift dark areas of scarring and exfoliate dead skin
cells for a clearer complexion. Photodynamic therapy is another effective
method of clearing the pores of skin debris, grime, dirt, oils and excess sebum to leave
cleaner, brighter skin.
Find out more
For more information, check out the
ebook from Skin Investment Clinic, ‘Eliminating acne and acne scarring: proven
secrets’
https://the-skin-investment-clinic.myshopify.com/collections/acne-recommendations/products/proven-secrets-eliminating-acne-and-scarring-e-book
Click here to view our prescription acne treatments