Breakouts – we all go through phases of having them and usually at the most inconvenient times. Over the years I have found some great products and remedies which have really helped me. I would like to share those with you to help you combat the dreaded breakouts.
Why do we get breakouts?
Many factors can cause our skin to breakout. The most common of which is our skin producing too much oil.
This causes hair follicles to be blocked by oils and being unable to leave our pores, resulting in a clogged pore where bacteria will grow to form a pimple. Our hormones often trigger this process because the glands which release the oil are sensitive to testosterone.
Breakouts can also be triggered by a change in our hormone levels, such as for women during their menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
How to make a change?
What you can do differently to reduce the number of breakouts you experience, is to be aware of certain ingredients within products that may be clogging your pores. Within the ingredients of a product you should look to avoid those which contain mineral oils and silicones (often found in budget skincare products).
You should also look out for a label on your product which says ‘noncomedogenic’, as this means the product is specifically formulated to not clog your pores.
Your lifestyle can also have an effect on your skin. For example, if you smoke this can worsen your breakouts. This is because smoking decreases the amount of collagen you have in your skin, and carcinogens in the smoke can dry out your skin. Potentially, this can cause more oil to be produced and therefore lead to more breakouts.
Finally, a common mistake that everyone, including myself, are guilty of is picking and popping zits. However, as tempting as it is (and we may feel it temporarily looks better) it can force any bacteria beneath the skin to penetrate deeper and lead to more breakouts.
Natural Remedies
- Tea Tree Oil – An essential oil which can have many benefits for the skin. Tea tree oil is known for reducing skin inflammation and for its ability to fight bacteria. Studies have shown applying tea tree oil to the skin can also help to reduce acne due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. To use this, you can apply it to a cotton bud/pad and dap on the inflamed areas.
- Aloe Vera – A clear gel produced from the leaves of a tropical plant. Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties, and is known to fight inflammation, hydrate the skin, lighten the appearance of blemishes, and reduce acne and infection.
- Coconut oil – Pure coconut oil can be found in your local health stores and can help to reduce breakouts and protect your skin from harmful bacteria. This is due to it containing antimicrobial properties within the oil’s natural fatty acids.
How to make a homemade exfoliator
Exfoliating is the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells. It is thought to help clear acne because this can unclog your pores and therefore allow treatments to penetrate the skin deeper. You can exfoliate by using a scrub to physically remove the cells.
How to Make A Natural Exfoliator at Home
- Mix equal amounts of sugar and coconut oil together in a bowl to form a thick scrub.
- Apply the scrub to your face, push into your skin, and apply pressure in circular motions.
- Rinse well and gently dab your face dry with a hand towel.
Dietary Changes
Following a Low Glycemic Diet
Recent evidence has suggested that dietary factors, such as spiking insulin and blood sugar levels, could be associated with acne and breakouts due to a rise in total body inflammation. Eating foods which cause a spike in your insulin is also thought to increase your sebum (oil) production, which may lead to an unwanted breakout.
Based on this, some of the foods you should avoid include sugary drinks, cakes, sweets and sugary breakfast cereals. Looking at food labels is also recommended to check for the amount of sugar.
More suitable foods with a low glycemic index include grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts. You should aim to add more of these to your diet.
Products To Use
I use this product at the first sign of a blemish appearing and it seems to effectively reduce the size and redness of the spot.
A great product which I use regularly. It is great for oily (like mine) and blemish-prone skin. I always feel the benefits of using a product containing charcoal.
This product clears my skin without making it feel dry. I think this is down to the gentle formula, as this product also contains organic green tea and coconut oil which increase the amount of hydration the product provides.
Countercontrol All Over Acne Treatment
I would recommend this product if you suffer from acne prone skin as this cleanser is designed to specifically target acne. This product contains salicylic acid, which also helps to reduce blemishes whilst being gentle on your skin.
Countercontrol Instant Matt Toner
If you have oily skin like me this, product is a life saver at reducing the shine on your skin. It controls the build of up of excess oils and can help to minimize the appearance of your pores.
Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream
This product helps to control oil within the skin. I like to use this product as a primer before applying my makeup as it provides a great base while not breaking me out like other primers have.
BeautyCounter also offer this great set, combining some of the products I have already mentioned.
I hope you have found this article helpful and are able to include some of these tips in your skincare routine.
Also, if you want to learn more about BeautyCounter (and why I am a HUGE advocate for their products), please read my BeautyCounter review – here!
What are your tips for handling breakouts?