How to: 5 Steps to Avoid Breakouts During Quarantine
It’s no coincidence that acne has a way of “popping up” when we’re stressed out. Stress causes a chemical reaction in the body that can wreak havoc on the skin leading to excess oil production, more sweat, inflammation, and sensitivity.
If your skin is already prone to reactivity or inflammatory conditions like rosacea or eczema, stress can often trigger a flareup. We see these conditions exacerbated when our immune systems become overworked due to stress or illness.
During these uncertain and often scary times, stress is unavoidable, but armed with the right knowledge, we can stop that stress from showing up on our faces!
DON’T PICK YOUR FACE - squeezing your acne lesions spreads bacteria to surrounding follicles potentially creating more lesions and greater infection. Couple that with increased inflammation and the potential to scar and you’re left with one unhappy complexion.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS - Benzoyl peroxide and sulfur are terrific oxygenators but only address bacteria. Acids like salicylic and mandelic work to liquefy oil and prevent lesions from forming but do very little to address inflammation. Antioxidants are phenomenal for their anti-inflammatory properties but alone aren’t enough to treat and control breakouts. Not all acne fighting ingredients are the same, so it’s important to understand which ingredients are right for your skin condition.
FIGHT BACK TO BANISH BREAKOUTS - although poor diet and sleep deprivation don’t technically cause acne, they sure don’t help! Boosting your immune system with adequate rest, a healthy diet full of leafy greens, and drinking plenty of water will make a big difference. Adding a high-potency probiotic aids in digestion and also supports immune function.
DON’T OVER CLEANSE - contrary to popular belief, acne isn’t caused from dirty skin. Our natural-moisturizing-factors (which include oil) are responsible for maintaining proper barrier function. If you strip oil from the skin by over-cleansing, it will produce more oil in response. It’s best to cleanse skin twice daily as part of your normal skin care regimen then blot throughout the day if necessary.
KEEP SKIN HYDRATED - it’s a common misconception that you need to dry-out acne for it to heal. As we just discussed, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In order to regulate oil production, we need to replenish the lipids lost during cleansing. All skin, regardless of the condition, needs hydration. Choosing light weight moisturizers that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid will keep skin smooth and prevent the drying effects of acne-fighting-ingredients.
Want a customized skincare routine? Not sure where to start? Book a skin consultation with our Aesthetician! Call us at 415.409.6500 or book online!
To learn more, contact our San Francisco office and call us at 415.409.6500.