When you’re experiencing long-lasting breakouts, it can feel like you’re the only one. However, it’s estimated that acne will affect 95% of people at some point in their lives, so you’re definitely not alone.
MAKEUP FOR ACNE:
Non-Comedogenic Base: To even out redness, a good base is key. However, you must keep your base breathable and light, so that it doesn’t block the pores and cause unnecessary congestion (try our non-comedogenic tinted moisturiser). For the smoothest application, apply it with a sponge or brush, whichever you prefer.
Conceal: Individual blemishes require heavier coverage. To help reduce their appearance, a cream concealer such as this BLEND IT concealer is best as it’s slightly thicker than a liquid concealer, giving better coverage. Warm the concealer up with your finger, then dab a small amount directly on the blemish and tap it into the skin. Blend lightly with your bringer or a dense makeup brush.
SKINCARE FOR ACNE
Looking after blemish-prone skin is essential to the prevention of future breakouts and minimising the chance of scars. Here are two essential steps for your skincare routine.
Cleanse: It’s essential to cleanse your skin morning and evening to remove excess dirt and oil. Steer clear of foaming cleansers, as these can be drying. Using a scrub can also cause scars and irritate blemishes, so try to stick with a smooth formula. Our top-pick cleanser for acne is the PURIFY IT Witch hazel cleansing water. Witch hazel’s anti-inflammatory properties calm the skin, while the astringent properties reduce excess oil on the skin and tightens pores, reducing the risk of clogged pores and breakouts.
Moisturise: It may feel counterintuitive to use a moisturiser if you have oily skin, but it’s all about using the right moisturiser. Opt for a light moisturiser or mist that doesn’t clog the pores and is absorbed quickly, such as this COOL IT Mist.
Remover: Always remove your makeup at the end of the day to help keep skin free from any additional dirt and bacteria which could get trapped in pores and cause more blemishes. The PURIFY IT Witch hazel cleansing water is a tool to remove makeup and cleanse at the same time.
Look out for a few ingredients in your skincare products as well…
- To help your skin to exfoliate (i.e. remove excess oil dead skin cells), look for products with salicylic acid (in our CLEAR IT wipes). Alternatives to salicylic acid include azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid and retinoids/vitamin a.
- To calm redness and skin irritation, look for niacinamide, probiotics, glicirretic acid (found in our COOL IT mist) and witch hazel, such as in this PURIFY IT Witch Hazel cleansing water.
EXERCISE!
Don’t give up on exercise. Exercise will keep you healthy and can help unblock your pores by making you sweat. Many acne sufferers stop exercising because sweating seems to make it worse, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Just keep a couple things in mind to ensure you aren’t one of those people…
a) Pre-exercise, use products on your face that won’t clog the pores (like our non-comedogenic tinted moisturiser).
b) Cleanse your face STRAIGHT AFTER exercise, before the sweat has had time to dry. That’s why we developed our biodegradable cleansing wipes – they’re pre-soaked with acne-fighting salicylic acid in a handy pot, so you can keep them ready in your gym bag for as soon as you’ve finished your workout.
c) Stay hydrated – Water is essential for liver function, which controls hormone production. Hormones contribute to acne by increasing sebum production. Hydration is even more key when exercising for two reasons. Firstly, sweat is dehydrating and secondly, sweat with a higher water content doesn’t irritate your skin as much!
Some top tips…💡
- Be consistent. Stick to a skincare routine with ingredients that will help your skin type.
- Avoid picking your skin. However tempting, picking and prodding at spots can worsen them, and scars are just as tricky to get rid of as spots.
- Check that the products you’re using are ‘non-comedogenic’. This means they won’t clog pores.
- Keep your makeup brushes and sponges clean. Once a week, gently wash them in warm water with a tiny bit of baby shampoo and leave them to air dry.