beauty & blues

1. Anti-Bacterial Cleanser

Not many people are aware that there are many ways for acne causing bacteria to come into contact with your face, such as from your pillow, your hair, face towel, mobile phone and your hands. Using an anti-bacterial face cleanser will help eradicate the acne causing bacteria that accumulates on your face throughout the day. A great product that has been reviewed by many is pHisohex® anti-bacterial wash. This face wash is great for acne prone skin as it  maintains the skin’s natural pH balance, is gentle enough to not irritate your skin, while also giving it a deap clean by removing dirt, oil and acne causing bacteria.

2. Moisturize

ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN AFTER CLEANSING!!!! This cannot be stressed enough. Not moisturizing after cleansing can cause your skin to dry out and thus produce more sebum (oil), making your acne worse. Moisturizers with Hyalauronic acid and Vitamin E are great for keeping the skin hydrated and aiding the fading of scars. Hydrated skin keeps the sebum production at bay, allowing for less clogged pores and acne. A great moisturizer to use is the Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil-Free Facial Moisturizing Lotion.  

                                              3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil, also lesser known as Melaleuca Oil is an essential oil native to Australia. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-septic that can help reduce the redness of pimples and studies have shown that tea tree oil can be effective in reducing acne lesions on the face and body. Just make sure to dilute it as using too high a concentration can cause irritation, itchiness and dry skin.

4. Change your pillow case regularly

Your pillow case can be a breading ground for acne causing bacteria. Oils from your hair, face and body can accumulate on your pillow, and changing it regularly, along with a diligent skin care routine could see your acne become a thing of the past in a matter of weeks. And if the thought of using so many pillow cases in a short amount at  another tip is something as simple as slipping and clean t-shirt over your pillow and changing it every three days.

5. DO NOT SQUEEZE YOUR SPOTS!!!

Ah yes, the phrase we’ve heard mum say over and over again, just goes to prove that mother does indeed know best! Squeezing and popping pimples is known to cause scaring and pimples to multiply. Fighting the erge to squeeze is a tough one but always remember, the less you interfere, the more chance your skin has to heal itself. Instead of squeezing, try applying a cream or ointment with benzyl peroxide as an ingredient (5% is usually the highest concentration available), this will dry out the pimple, helping it go down before you have a chance to make it worse.