No one product can magically cure experiencing acne overnight. It takes time and a fool-proof routine to avoid break-outs and properly heal the skin.
Related: What’s The Deal With Maskne? This Skincare Habit Prevents Mask Acne Before It Shows Up
Skincare routines are similar to new membership at a gym. The first few weeks feel exhilarating, ultimately becoming your favorite part of the day. It gives you those much-needed endorphins to conquer the world. But then during one rainy morning, you decide to skip a day, thinking it won’t hurt. Then you skip the next day, and then the next…you get where I’m going here. Like many of us, we tend to skip out our skincare routine once we’ve gotten familiar with it. For some of us, it won’t be a big deal but for others, it can start a major breakout.
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty of achieving the ideal anti-breakout routine, there are two things one must always remember. Firstly, zits are normal, everyone gets them. Secondly, patience is a virtue. Skincare products are not magic tricks that can make everything disappear in a snap.
Here are our tips for an emergency break-out:
Efficient Products, Not Fast Track Fixes
Avoid heading down the rabbit hole of searching for spot treatments for a quick fix. They’re tempting and great for a single pimple that pops out, but for a full-fledged breakout, you can’t go slathering it all over your face. This can cause your skin to over dry and lead to scarring that’s harder to deal with.
For major breakouts, commit to a regimen that will help target the root cause of your breakout. The three main causes of acne are excess oil, accumulated bacteria, and inflammation. By committing to products that work well together will be like a well-oiled machine that safely heals your skin from the inside out.
Try out Perricone MD’s Acne Relief Prebiotic Acne Therapy, a 90-day system that selectively targets and treats the causes of acne. The three-step process consists of a cleanser, hydrator lotion, and moisturizer that work with the skin’s natural microbiome to safely, gently, and effectively treat and prevent the most troublesome acne. It is clinically proven to be non-irritating and will not strip or over-dry skin.
MOISTURIZER IS A MAN’S BEST FRIEND
If you have oily acne-prone skin and are terribly afraid of adding more moisture into your skin, don’t be. Moisturizer is never the enemy. One of the main reasons why our skin develops more oil that clogs our pores is because it’s compensating for the lack of moisture it needs. It’s all about finding the right moisturizer for you. Anti-acne products also tend to strip away the skin with its strong ingredients, so you need to balance it out to avoid it from flaking.
Skincare never stops innovating, and if you research well-enough, there’s a right choice for every skin type. When dealing with the appearance of multiple pimples, light moisturizers are ideal. This will aid in controlling excess oil and the turnover of your skin cells. Choose calming and simple moisturizers to avoid aggravating the skin further.
Take for example, Perricone MD’s Acne Relief Retinol Treatment & Moisturizer which has a lightweight, yet nourishing formula. It absorbs instantly to control excess oil and helps heal blemishes overnight without over-drying the skin. This accelerates surface skin exfoliation and cell renewal to visibly calm the skin and reduce redness.
LOOK FOR THE BEST INGREDIENTS
Knowledge is power. Many of us have slowly been turning into skin connoisseurs. We are now conscious buyers who check the label of the products we are putting on our face. Maybe it’s all those years of going through a stinky mask, pads that burn our face, and clay masks that dry out the skin. There are so many options in the market made with several different ingredients.
Here are the ingredients to look for when doing the product breakdown:
Niacinamide: A derivative of vitamin B known for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing benefits. This can help minimize the size of the pimple until it heals. Studies also show that niacinamide helps the skin produce less oil and even make your pores look smaller.
Lactic acid: A sensitive skin hero. It is an AHA often used as a gentle skin exfoliant. A great alternative to harsh exfoliants than can cause micro-tears in the skin. Incorporating a skin exfoliant into your routine can combat hyperpigmentation, dark patches, and spots. It is gentler than glycolic acid and helps hydrate the skin while more effectively treating sun damage. Another bonus that helps is the stimulation of collagen production to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines.
Squalane: An plant-based compound that locks down moisture in the skin. This substance is known for locking in hydration by creating a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. When combined with effective ingredients, squalane will deliver all that good stuff deep into the skin.
Tea Tree Oil: Nature’s best bet and a personal favorite, tea tree oil is antimicrobial that stops acne bacteria from spreading. It is also an anti-inflammatory to soothe and relieve irritated skin to avoid reduce redness and swelling. It’s great for spot treatment to calm down angry zits overnight.
Try out the Acne Relief Maximum Strength Spot Gel of Periccone MD that is formulated with lactic and succinic acids, citrulline, and tea tree oil that works overtime to unclog pores and absorb excess oil without over-drying.
Retinoids: It is also a derivative of Vitamin A, that require a prescription when taken orally. These aren’t only for the occasional breakout, but they also prevent them from forming at all. However, one must consult a skin dermatologist if this will be the best choice for you. Small dosages of retinoids are also combined with other ingredients in skincare products as they work like most other skin acids. They speed up cell turnover to keep your skin clear.
Skincare is personal and we might get tired of it times but by developing your personal emergency break-out routine, it will make all the glow worth it.
Acne Relief Prebiotic Acne Therapy 90-Day Regimen retails for Php 4995.00 and Acne Relief Maximum Strength Spot Gel is also available, separately, for Php 995.00. Perricone MD is available for purchase in Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, and online on Rustans.com and our official store in LazMall.