Hey guys! This year has been a very challenging year for me in terms of my skin, but I FINALLY found a new regimen that works for me. Below you will find some tips that have been very effective for me in my “clear skin journey.” In the event that any of you are in my position, I just thought I’d do a write up to see if my findings can help you too!
Here we go!
1. Eat clean. If you find yourself eating a lot of dairy and carbs (milk, cheese, bread, potatoes, etc), and snacking on food with high amounts of sugar you may want to eliminate, or dramatically reduce the amount that you consume in your diet. Dairy and Carbohydrates are known to increase blood sugar which in result, can contribute to acne. Try to drink more water, and form a diet of mostly lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and easy digestible carbs.
Good skin food suggestions: Water, Green Tea (with honey if you like it sweet), Salad, Olive Oil, Salmon, Tuna, Avocado, Almonds, Blueberries, Plums, Strawberries, and replace white carbs (like bread, rice) with brown (wheat or whole grain) carbs.
Note: Most doctors do not believe your diet has a direct affect on acne because there aren’t enough studies… but I believe changing my diet has helped my skin a lot!
2. Keep your pores clean. If you wear makeup regularly, make sure you remove it prior to washing your face with an antibacterial face cleanser and cool water. If you have very oily skin, wash with cleanser in the morning and night, and rinse with just water during midday if you get too shiny. Another way to keep your pores clean is by keeping your hair and sheets clean. As you sweat, bacteria grows and hides out in places like hair, and cloth – so if you sleep on your tummy or side, it’s the perfect opportunity for the oils and bacteria on your pillows and sheets (from your hair/body) to clog your pores! Lastly, keep your makeup brushes clean. Always try to wash your brushes at least every other night before bed as, like your hair, brushes host tons of bacteria so you don’t want to apply makeup with dirty brushes. With that being said, using inexpensive brushes (like Real Techniques or Sigma’s Synthetic brushes) may be your best bet to avoid feeling bad about over washing the hairs.
Best Oil Reducing supplement: Vitamin A (8,000 – 10,000 IU per day)
Clean Hair/Bed Tips: Kinky Curly hair types (similar to African American hair) should be washed once a week; for all other hair types, every 1-2 days should suffice. As for your sheets, wash them once per week as well.
3. Find the right makeup for your skin type. If you have oily skin, make sure your makeup is oil free and long lasting with a matte finish. For dry skin, use moisturizing makeup, and for combination skin try a “smart makeup” as it has a balancing effect on skin. But for all skin types use makeup that is fragrance free, and paraben free.
Makeup suggestions available upon request.
4. STOP using face scrubs. Believe it or not, those mircobeads may be irritating your skin more than its helping. My dermatologist suggested that I exfoliate with a cleanser that only has salicylic or glycolic acid in it.
5. Don’t pick your face! Not only will you put bacteria back onto your skin, but you will cause scaring and enlarged pores as well. As you eliminate your breakouts, eliminating “reminder marks” should also be a focus!
I hope these simple “at home” tips help you as much as they have helped me. I have included links to different sites were I learned about treating acne via diet, washing your face correctly, and a link to a bomb dermatologist office if you’re looking for one in LA.
Sources:
Dr. Rachel @ http://www.bussellskincare.com/index.html
http://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin/skin-food?page=2
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acne/DS00169/DSECTION=causes
http://www.marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/how-to/how-to-wash-your-face
http://www.allure.com/skin-care/2012/10-commandments-clear-skin#slide=1
Britt Garrison | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog 