In my last post, I talked about all the reasons why you could be experiencing breakouts. Now it's time to figure out how to make them disappear. If you haven't read the previous post and you're not sure why your skin is breaking out, make sure to read that first! It's easier to tackle a problem if you know what's causing it. Now, it's time to take action.
Step 1: Use the right products
Of course, the first step when it comes to any skin concern is to use skincare products which target your concerns. The most reliable skincare I've found when it comes to acne is Uriage's Hyseac range. I used these when I had cystic acne and I still keep my favourites around in case of breakouts. Namely, the Uriage Hyseac 3-Regul and the SOS Pate. Since my skin is oily and prone to comedones I use the 3-Regul a few times a week, and if I'm experiencing a breakout I use it every night. It contains an AHA and BHA complex which is perfect for exfoliating the skin without damaging it, as well as patented ingredients and liquorice extract which target blemishes. I then apply SOS Pate on any breakouts and the next morning they're significantly less inflamed and bumpy.
Step 2: It's facial time
If your skin is anything like mine, then the word facial is more likely to remind you of painful extractions and red, splotchy skin than lavender-scented massages and relaxation. That's one of the reasons I opt for at-home facials instead of professional ones. The other reasons are that professional facials are way out of my budget, and they tend to leave my skin peeling and irritated. Now I do weekly at-home facials using my favourite scrubs and masks, which also means I know exactly what's in the products I'm using on my face instead of relying on whatever products the salon uses. My favourites are:
Apivita Express Beauty Apricot scrub- this scrub is the only one I've found which is gentle enough to use on my sensitive skin, while effectively removing dead skin cells and preparing my skin for a mask
Apivita Express Beauty Propolis Mask- I can go on and on about how much I love this mask. It's been my favourite for years, I even take it abroad with me whenever I travel in case my skin starts breaking out. I love it because it doesn't dry out my skin while it cleanses and detoxes.
Apivita Express Beauty Tissue Carob Mask- When my skin is feeling particularly sensitive, it can be painful to remove cream masks, which is why I love this tissue mask. I can just lie back and let my skin absorb the benefits while the tissue pulls out toxins.
Step 3: Heal from within
Most people don't realise that when their skin is breaking out it's their bodies trying to tell them something, and a lot of the time that message is coming from our digestive system. An overgrowth of bacteria in the large intestine can lead to acne. This is why taking probiotics (these are the good bacteria that help keep you healthy) will help rebalance the gut microbiome and, in turn, smooth out your skin. When my skin starts acting up, I switch from my usual favourites, Optibac Everyday Probiotics, to Optibac Everyday Extra. I've found that taking these for a week or two after a particularly stressful period where I'm not eating as healthy or travelling a lot really helps improve my digestive system, gives me more energy and helps clear my skin.
Do you have any products or tips which help you tackle breakouts? Leave them in the comments below!
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