Acne Prevention Pt 1 - The Basics (updated 12/7/13)

Acne Prevention

I am sure this is the stuff you REALLY want to know! Your in luck. I am going to help you even further. I am going to start with the smallest of things ( that can make a HUGE difference ) and go on up to the more expensive procedures or crazy ones.  So, let us talk about mild to normal Acne. There are some basic tips that most of you probably wouldn't think to do. The things listed below are things that we as esthetician's or anyone for that matter, can suggest to you to try. Consider the following:

Have you tried:

1) Make sure your pillow cases are frequently washed! Your face lies on them every night. You deposit oil and skin cells, maybe perspire in the night! Failure to do so...well it's bacteria that will transfer right back onto your skin.

2) Ladies...throw out your makeup sponges and replace them! Once again you dab at your face mixing foundation and oil onto your sponge. It sits exposed to the air, bacteria grows and then the next time you go to use it...BAM. Direct transfer.

Wash your make up brushes or use disposables! You can use a nice mild soap and water. Make sure your brushes are left to hang over the skins edge to drain. Failure to do so could ruin your brushes. You can spray them with 70% rubbing alcohol to aid in the disinfecting process. There are actual "Make up brush cleansers" you can purchase too if you prefer.

3) Lay off the chocolate? Wuuut!? You kidding? Chocolate and soda doesn't cause acne. Acne is produced from your Sebum glands. What you eat doesn't effect your face. However, detoxing can. Therefore...dark chocolate (70% and over) has some great detoxing properties! In fact drinking or eating detoxifying fruits is good for EVERYONE and benefits your entire body!

4) Swim! chlorine is drying and is known to keep off the acne in people with oily skin. Just remember that you will still need to moisturize! You can purchase moisturizers geared to oily skin! These will be oily free and very light weight.

5) TONER! If it is one thing that I could recommend everyone to get into the habit of using is a toner. A toner not only removes left over cleansers but it balances the skins PH (Acidic levels). This helps your skin to stay clear and balanced, fresh and it feels amazing! It helps to clear the skin of free radicals and you can get ones that help to brighten up the skin! ( Prevents dull skin ).

6) Wash and moisturize your face with the right products. This is so crucial. Why the right products? Because using products geared towards say a dry skin on an oily skin type is going to aggravate it more.

7) Ladies, wear the right makeup for you skin! You will be so surprised that choosing and wearing makeup is actually hard. I will explain more on that later as well.

8 ) Wash off all make up, hair spray, gels, pomades, at the end of your day! Also for those with long hair don't let it get oily. It will transfer onto you face and give you acne (by means of bacteria transfer). Not only is washing off your makeup important to preventing acne but it's important to prevent premature aging!

9) Avoid stress and drink lots of water! Avoiding stress...well it's ridiculous right? To an extent yes. I mean if there is something that happens in your life try to stop and think: Is this even worth it for me to get all worked up over? That is what is meant by "avoiding" it. Drinking lots of water is also another form of detoxing the body and the skin! Be careful to not over do the water thing though. You can get quite sick and even die from too much water consumption. Just saying, don't go crazy with the cheese whiz ya know? One of the biggest things I want to mention here: ONLY 3% OF THE WATER YOU INTAKE GOES TO YOUR SKIN. So do not think: "Oh I couldn't have oily/dehydrated skin...I drink tons of water" because you so can and many do.

10) Avoid touching or suffocating your face. Either by your hands, or doing what i do, sitting on your chin while typing to her friends on Fb, Skype and such >.>

In part two we will get into slightly more serious methods of Acne treatments. But until then check out this product from Dermalogica.

Precleanse encapsulates oil prepping it for much better removal. Your cleanser can then reach the follicles and pores to remove trapped debris and pollution. Think of it as double cleansing your hair at the salon. You get the best, deepest cleanse. Preclease is soft enough for all skin types but is the most beneficial for those with oily skin.