You may have read hundreds of ways to reduce acne including some tips on this site. However from my experience you can buy all the products and wonder treatments you can find but the most effective method to prevent acne are the basics!

Here is my daily ritual

1. Clean face in the morning
2. Clean face during the day using wipes (always carry tissues or face wipes with you)
3. Always be aware of when you are sweating on your face as this is the reason you start to pimple up
4. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your skin
5. Avoid oily foods
6. Avoid touching your face too often (I know this is hard)
7. Make sure you wipe off your makeup using tissue and moisturiser
8. Use clean towels at all times

Thats it!

I hope you enjoyed some of these simple Acne Prevention tips!

More to come!

Tip: When showering, wash and shampoo your hair first and then begin to clean your face and body. The hot water opens up your pores and the shampoo and conditioner will leave a residue on your skin that may promote the breakout of acne on both your face and on your back if not properly rinsed away.

Tip: For Guys: After shaving make sure your rinse your face with cold water to help close the pores and to help reduce the inflammation and irritation from shaving.

Tip: No matter how hired you are, do not go to bed without washing off your makeup. Leaving make-up on over night will contribute to clogging your skins pores with unwanted oils and chemicals.

Tip: Most acne that occurs on the lower face and neck area is a direct result of bacteria. Our hands are filthy, and covered in germs and bacteria.

Most people are unaware of how many time they rest their chin in their hands, or prop themselves up with their hands throughout the day. If you can make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of time you spend placing your hands on your face you will definitely see less breakouts and blemishes in those areas.

Tip: To prevent acne during the summer heat, we suggest you wear little or no make-up, and that you wash your face in cool water with a very mild soap as your skin will be more sensitive. We are recommend that you use a very mild conditioner to keep your skin from drying out and peeling which often happens in the summer.* NEW *

Tip: We recommend that you wear loose clothing that does not rub or irritate the skin. For times when you are playing sports or just being more physical we suggest wearing specially designed clothing that wicks the moisture away from your body keeping you cool and dry. And shower right after any physical activity so that your body has little time to absorb the oils and perspiration.* NEW *

Do acne scars affect your self esteem and make you want to bury yourself at home?

A scar is a permanent mark left after the healing of an injury or disease process.

Damage to the surface and underlying layers of the skin can be extensive, following moderate to severe acne. This can result in flat or thick raised scars, discolouration and pitted, indented skin.

Some scars improve over time, others remain present and some can continue to get even worse with time.

While some scars can be disguised with makeup, scars remain a permanent reminder of previous acne.

If there is a family history of scarring acne, early treatment and review by a dermatologist should be considered.

Picking or squeezing of pimples can also be a cause of scarring.

Different scars require different treatments. Some of the treatment options for scarring include:

• Skin resurfacing and other lasers and non-laser treatments
• Steroids; or
• Surgery.
• Injectable fillers or implants

Mistakes When Treating Acne

 

As you might know sunscreen, an indispensable product especially during the hot season, can cause breakouts if chosen incorrectly. Choosing an oil-free sunscreen can be helpful for some but it might not be enough. 

Very oily skin might respond better to a gel based sunscreen than to a cream based one. In addition, if you are worried about ingredients being absorbed in your skin, a sunblock containing micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide will help absorb oils without getting absorbed by the skin. Make sure to reapply sunscreen every three hours in order to get adequate protection.

Think skin care products are the only culprits when it comes to cosmetic acne? Well, apparently they are not, as hair care products can also play a role. Shampoos and conditioners containing panthenol, an ingredient that nourishes and strengthens the hair, might also worsen the problem. This is because when product is rinsed out of hair it can clog pores contributing to acne. While it might not necessarily be a problem at other times, the combination of factors might make things worse.

What causes acne?

No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when sebaceous (oil) glands attached to the hair follicles are stimulated at the time of puberty by elevated levels of male hormones. Sebum (oil) is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin. Associated with increased oil production is a change in the manner in which the skin cells mature so that they are predisposed to clog the follicular openings or pores. The clogged hair follicle gradually enlarges, producing a bump. As the follicle enlarges, the wall may rupture, allowing irritating substances and normal skin bacteria access into the deeper layers of the skin, ultimately producing inflammation.

Inflammation near the skin’s surface produces a pustule; deeper inflammation results in a papule (pimple); deeper still and it’s a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a “whitehead.” If the oil accumulates melanin pigment or becomes oxidized, the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a “blackhead.” Blackheads are therefore not dirt and do not reflect poor hygiene.

Here are some factors that don’t usually play a role in acne:

• Heredity: With the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life.
• Food: Parents often tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don’t cause acne or make it worse. Although some recent studies have implicated milk and pure chocolate in aggravating acne, these findings are very far from established.
• Dirt: As mentioned above, “blackheads” are oxidized oil, not dirt. Sweat does not cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly afterexercise for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.
• Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne.

In occasional patients, the following may be contributing factors:

• Pressure: In some patients, pressure from helmets, chin straps, collars, suspenders, and the like can aggravate acne.
• Drugs: Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone [Deltasone, Orasone, Prednicen-M, Liquid Pred] or the steroids that bodybuilders or athletes take). Other drugs that can cause or aggravate acne are anticonvulsant medications and lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), which is used to treat bipolar disorder. Most cases of acne, however, are not drug related.
• Occupations: In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting oils may produce acne.
• Cosmetics: Some cosmetics and skin-care products are pore clogging (“comedogenic”). Of the many available brands of skin-care products, it is important to read the list of ingredients and choose those which have water listed first or second if you are concerned about acne. These “water-based” products are usually safe.