Blemish Control: 6 Ways to Kick Acne for Good

Are you tired of having to battle acne over and over again? No matter what you do, they never seem to give up and never fail to occupy the littlest space or grow on top of each other?

It’s like whatever you do, your acne will always find a way to defeat you and leave you blemished forever. 

Are you ready to wave the white flag and accept defeat and crawl to the nearest hole and abandon mankind, never stepping out in the light of day?

Seems like a good plan but no. Don’t lose hope.

The Psychological Effects of Acne

Although not everyone suffers from acne, it is the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. ⁽¹⁾ According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 50 million Americans suffer from this skin affliction annually.

It may be a common thing, but having acne often causes psychological distress. People, especially teenagers, who suffer from acne often are depressed and has poor self-esteem.

What Most People Think About Acne

People think that their skin is dirty that's why they get acne. They have the notion that they are not cleansing enough that's why these blemishes crop up. They think, to get rid of acne, they must have squeaky clean skin. Their skincare goal is to be dirt-free.

They invest in cleansing brushes, silicone scrubbers, skin-stripping facial cleansers, and rotary brushes in the hopes that they get clean-enough skin. They do not realize that they are making the situation worse.

Although there is some satisfaction to a good cleanse (every so often), these brushes and stripping cleansers may be too harsh on the skin. 

The hard bristles on rotary brushes may cause micro-tears in the skin. Plus, they can harbor bacteria in the long run, especially if you leave it on your bathroom counter. 

So, if not dirt, what’s causing these blemishes from partying and multiplying on our skin?

It is true that pimples or acne is usually caused by P. acnes bacteria. It can be a result of Staph infections too but what we have to understand is that these bacteria are naturally present on our skin and in the right conditions, won’t pose a health risk to us.

The problem comes when you have a break in your skin barrier such as an open pore or cut in the skin. Opportunistic bacteria will enter your skin, invade a pore, and infect it. 

Mix that with dead skin cells, oil, and sebum and you have a trapped bacteria cooking inside the pore. It causes inflammation and alas, a new zit is born!

Our hormones also play a part in the acne equation because it can cause overproduction of oil on our skin. Teenagers are prone to having acne because hormone levels are high during adolescent stage. Women nearing their menstruation often develop what we often call as hormonal acne too.

So, what is the best way to deal with acne? From countless options available to us nowadays, how do we know if we are on the right track?

Find below our 6 recommendations to kick acne for good.

We do not mean your best friend but somebody who has knowledge in this subject like a dermatologist or an esthetician. They can assess your needs and offer you different strategies to best deal with your acne. 

Remember, we all have different skin. What remedy works for your friend may not work for you. 

And also, just because something is labeled "natural" doesn't mean it is best for you. For example, honey is a famous ingredient used in DIY skincare hacks but there are people who are highly allergic to it. 

So before you follow a TikTok skincare hack, make sure that it is backed by science and that it won't compromise your skin.

Yes, there are millions of options and products to choose from that promises to cure acne. We have heard of great success stories from different people but we have to realize that each of us has different skin. What worked for your friend might not work for you but that should not get you down.

You might have not met the right product that can do wonders for your skin yet. Be patient and believe that there is something out there that will help you have a blemish-free skin.

If trying out a new product, do not give up too quickly. Most acne experts believe that you will see a difference in your skin in about a month or two from trying out a new regimen. 

Don’t change products too soon without really giving it a chance to improve your skin. Patience my dear, patience.

Many people may not believe in the power of eating right but it does make a difference. If you binge on oily and sugary food, it will show on your skin. 

Aside from making you look tired, unhealthy eating can aggravate acne too. Cross off milk and dairy from your diet or go for Almond milk instead to prevent developing new acne.

According to Dr. Joel Schlessinger MD, milk contains hormones that may make acne worse. Watch the video above for more information.

Be gentle to your skin and avoid vigorous washing. Use a gentle facial cleanser once or twice a day. 

Avoid using toners or astringents that may be too harsh for your skin. Look for toners that have gentler formulations that do not strip your skin.

Also, if your hair is oily, wash it often (or daily) to prevent it from clogging your pores and cause for new breakouts to develop.

Use non-comedogenic skin care products like sunscreens, moisturizers, and makeup to prevent congesting your pores and develop a new zit.

And whatever you do, do not pick your pimples! You might end up infecting it or worse, make a permanent scar that may take years (if not forever) to disappear.

If you want to stay away from antibiotics or harsh chemicals that leave a burning sensation on the skin, consider trying out blue light therapy. ⁽²⁾ Although it is meant for mild to moderate acne, it is a good way to control pesky bumps from partying on your skin.

We’d love to hear your suggestions for dealing with acne. Do you have any tips for controlling breakouts? Like us on Facebook and Instagram and share with us your own journey to great looking skin!