19 Jan Preventing Acne Flare-Ups Start From These Easy-To-Do Steps!

Here’s the scenario: you’re at home in your best, ready to head out for an evening of drinks and good company. You put the finishing touches to your makeup and to your horror, find a big, red pustule on your cheek! We’ve all been there. Acne flare-ups are never fun, and can often be a very stubborn condition to treat. But rest assured, there are ways to prevent it from happening in the first place. And most of these preventive measures start right at home, too.

To prevent acne, it’s important to understand what the condition is to begin with. Typically occurring in prepubescent teenagers, acne is a skin condition that takes place when hair follicles are blocked by sebum, oil, and dead skin cells. These eventually begin to form into either whiteheads, blackheads, or the much dreaded pimples if infected by bacteria. If not treated properly, they leave blemishes and scarring in their wake!

Here’s what you can do to prevent them from forming.

1. Double-cleanse 

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You’ve heard about cleansing, but we bet you haven’t heard about double-cleansing. Typically performed during a facial, the practice has now started to emerge among skincare aficionados at home. Start by using an oil-based makeup remover, cleanser, or micellar water of your choice to break down makeup, sunblock, and grime. Once done, head into the bathroom and wash your face with your usual cleanser. That’s it!

The purpose of double-cleansing is to ensure that stray dirt, pollutants, and dirt, don’t stand a chance of lingering onto your skin long enough to cause acne flare-ups from happening. Oh, and if you’re in the habit of wearing waterproof makeup, you may want to repeat the first step until your makeup is properly removed, before washing your face.

2. Drink plenty of water 

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Sebum, whether you like it or not, is naturally-occurring in the skin. This greasy substance is produced by your body to help keep your skin and hair follicles moisturised. And in instances when you’re dehydrated, your body will take it as an indication to produce even more sebum, which can lead to acne breakouts.

If you find that your skin appears dull and oily, then it’s high time to drink up! And make a point to stay away from alcohol too, as alcohol can be incredibly drying for the skin.

3. Use a gentle chemical exfoliator 

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If you’re using a washcloth, loofa, or pumice stone to scrub at acne-prone skin, it’s time to stop. While they do a great job exfoliating normal skin, acne-prone complexions require a more delicate approach. Products containing mild AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHA (beta hydroxy acids) are great for exfoliating acne-prone skin, as they are more gentle in comparison. They also tend to do the job more thoroughly, too.

But as with all active skincare ingredients, use them in measured amounts. We recommend two times every week, to start off with!

4. Less makeup is more 

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If you already have a pimple, here’s the rule of thumb to keep in mind: less makeup is more. As most cosmetic products can lead to clogged pores, any heavy, oil-based concealers or foundations on your skin will only worsen the appearance of your pimples. If possible, do without makeup at all.

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But if you feel the urge to cover up the appearance of a sudden zit, hydrocolloid stickers aka pimple patches, can help conceal fresh spots to some degree, while offering adequate protection from further inflammation.

5. Try witch hazel 

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Here’s a miraculous, all-natural skincare ingredient that can help with acne-prone skin: witch hazel. Derived from the bark and leaves of the witch hazel plant, this soothing extract contains anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Which means that not only can it calm redness caused by pimples, witch hazel can also tighten the pores on your skin, reducing your chances of suffering from a sudden acne break-out!

If you plan on incorporating this ingredient into your skincare, you may do so by using it as a toner or an aftershave. (p.s. it doesn’t sting or burn your skin)

Also read: Kick Start Your Post-NYE Skin Detox In 5 Easy Steps