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I have a confession. I went to esthetics school for one reason...to learn how to treat my own skin. I had no intention of making a career out of it, but then I found a passion for helping other people navigate the sometimes overwhelming and usually frustrating treatment of acne. Here are some simple tips I have learned over the years from treating my own skin, my clients skin and countless classes, articles, seminars and webinars. And let me start by saying...it is simpler than it feels!
1. Diet matters:
For most people, the hardest, but most effective way to improve their skin is eliminating sugar and processed food from their diet. Sugar wreaks havoc on the skin by stimulating inflammation. Even though you can't see this inflammation, the biological processes are thrown out of balance which leads to angry and irritated skin. For some people it shows as dehydration, redness, psoriasis, dandruff, etc. But for people who are prone to acne, the result is papules and pustules (aka pimples!). Stick to whole foods...fruit, vegetables, meat, nuts, etc. and eliminate foods made with flour, sugar, and anything artificial. A good rule of thumb to follow is if there are more than 3 ingredients on the label, don't eat it.
2. A.C.E. for your FACE! (and body!):
Vitamins A, C and E are essential nutrients for your skin to function properly. Taking these vitamins orally as well as applying them topically will help your skin cells shed, reproduce and stay healthy in the process. Fun fact: Vitamin A has been used for pharmaceutical acne treatments like Retin A and Accutane for decades. In my experience, the original, natural form is way more effective with no difficult side effects! Your esthetician can help you find supplements and products that are natural but potent. Getting your body back in balance is key!
3. De-stress:
Schedule in ten minutes a day to sit quietly, with no electronics, and no to-do lists and just BREATHE. Most adult acne is caused by stress. It is not possible to eliminate stress from our lives (and how boring would that be!), but we can find ways to manage our body's response to stress. When you are working long hours, busy, overwhelmed, rushing, etc, your adrenal glands produce a hormone called cortisol to help you continue to function through the stress. Cortisol is an essential hormone, but most of us produce too much at the wrong time of the day. This causes many "side effects" such as weight gain, fatigue, mental cloudiness, and...you guessed it, acne! Taking a few minutes in each day to focus your attention on your breathing is the simplest way to re-set your adrenal glands and put your internal functions back in balance.
4. Exfoliate:
But I don't mean scrubs! People who are acne-prone hold on to 4 - 5 more dead skin cells than someone who doesn't breakout. You need to help those excess dead skin cells shed, but the problem is most people try to scrub them off which leads to more inflammation and oil production. Ingredients like enzymes (ex: bromelain and papain) and hydroxy-acids (lactic and salicylic) dissolve the cells or the bonds that hold them together to get a much more effective and way less damaging result. If you aren't sure what to use, consult with an esthetician. Not only do they have much more effective products than retail stores, but they can also recommend a professional exfoliating treatment that will help jumpstart your skin health!
5. Cotton over synthetic:
We all hope our new facial accessory becomes a distant memory of the past, but for now face masks have become part of our daily wardrobe. Many people who never had problems with their skin have started breaking out in the mask area. When we wear a mask, the trapped moisture and the physical barrier prevent our skin cells from properly shedding. This leads to clogged pores and pimples. Proper cleansing in the evening and exfoliation will help, but make sure you avoid synthetic masks when possible, change your mask regularly and wash them thoroughly. Cotton is the recommended fabric for problematic skin. Keep this in mind not just for face masks, but for your pillowcases and even clothing if you experience body-acne.
When in doubt, consult an esthetician! Most will do complementary consultations and can help you find the cause of your acne. Sometimes it is trial and error to find a solution, but there are many ways you can improve your skin! You don't have to live with acne!
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