Do you have a question about acne? See answers to all of your
acne questions below to help you beat breakouts and achieve
healthy, beautiful skin!
What causes breakouts anyway?
Put simply, breakouts occur when your oil glands play up. That’s
why pimples most commonly appear in places where you have the
most oil glands – on the face, chest and upper back. The
cause is similar for both adults and teens.
The 4 main breakout culprits
are:
- Excess sebum (oil).
- Clogged pores from excessive dead skin cells.
- Bacterial build-up beneath the skin’s surface.
- Inflammation in and around the pore.
How can I prevent breakouts?
According to dermatologists, the key to keeping your skin
blemish-free is to prevent breakouts before they even get
close to making an appearance on your face. Pimples actually
begin to form 6 to 8 weeks before you ever see them. To help
prevent new pimples, use a cleanser or treatment that contains
Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide regularly. When pimples
do appear, use a spot treatment to help them clear up faster.
If your acne doesn’t respond to these treatments and is
severe or causes scarring, you should make an appointment to
see your GP.
How many times a day should
I wash my face?
Excessive washing can irritate already inflamed skin. A good
rule of thumb is to wash your face no more than twice a day.
Don't use harsh soaps, which may contain ingredients that
actually make pimples worse or lead to skin irritation, especially
if you have sensitive skin.
Does diet affect breakouts?
Just because foods are oily or fatty doesn't mean they cause
acne. In fact, no scientific studies have ever shown that certain
foods bring on breakouts. So as long as you’re not allergic
to high-fat foods like hot chips, pizza or chocolate and they
don’t irritate your skin, go ahead and eat them in moderation,
however, a well balanced diet is always advised to maintain
healthy, clear skin.
Do I need a moisturiser if I have oily skin?
First, you need to determine if you have oily skin. Consider
how your skin looks and feels without moisturiser one hour after
being cleansed. If you see an all-over shine and your skin feels
comfortable, you probably have oily skin. Your skin needs moisture
to function at its best. Even oily skin can have low moisture
levels. That’s why it’s important to use a moisturiser
no matter what your skin condition is. For oily skin, be sure
to use a moisturiser that’s oil-free and non-comedogenic
(won’t clog pores).
Will sun care products make my skin oily? Will they make my
pimples worse or cause new breakouts?
Some ingredients in sun protection products can lead to oily
skin and even cause breakouts on the face or on the body. First,
look for a product that is labelled non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic
simply means that the formula won’t clog your pores. Secondly,
make sure it’s oil-free. Sunscreens that contain oil can
clog pores, resulting in breakouts. The ingredient PABA has
been found to cause skin irritation in many individuals, so
you may also want to avoid sunscreens that contain this ingredient.
How can I get clear skin fast?
While you can’t completely eliminate pimples overnight,
a few key steps to a good skincare routine can make all the
difference. The best skincare routine for oily, breakout-prone
skin is to simply:
- Cleanse – look for an oil-free cleanser with salicylic acid
- Treat – for best results, apply treatment to cleansed, completely dry skin.
- Protect – look for oil-free, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) moisturisers with sun protection.
If your acne doesn’t respond to this regime and is severe,
causing scarring or making you unhappy, you should make an appointment
to see your GP or dermatologist. |
Pimple myths and acne tips
Putting toothpaste on your pimples will help clear them up.
More pimple myths >
Go oil-free: use oil-free make-up, oil-free sunscreens and oil-free moisturisers.
More acne tips >
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