3 things you don’t know about breakouts
- Whiteheads and blackheads are a form of acne.
- Breakouts are caused by a mix of contributing and interrelated factors, largely driven by genetic tendencies, hormone fluctuation, stress, immunity and skin's ability to metabolise skin oil.
- Bacteria is not the root cause of breakouts! Breakouts occur when sebum builds up in the skin’s pores, leading to a rapid increase of bacteria that is otherwise a normal part of our skin flora.
The dos and don’ts when treating acne to achieve healthier skin
Don’t: Use mechanical exfoliating brushes
While a mechanical exfoliating brush may seem like the best route to go the oscillating bristles can be too harsh on delicate, acne-prone skin. Plus, if not cleaned or stored properly, the bristles can harbour bacteria, and potentially make breakouts worse.
Do: Use natural sea sponges
The eco-friendly and all-natural sea sponge is both biodegradable and hypoallergenic and stays bacteria-and mould-free thanks to a naturally occurring enzyme. Soft and absorbent, these squishy sponges offer a luxurious exfoliation. For a deeper exfoliation try a bamboo washcloth, often found in an easy-to-use mitt form. Simply slip it on, add cleanser, and gently buff your skin in a circular motion to help ease congestion. Packed with anti-bacterial properties, bamboo fibres stimulate circulation while soothing inflammation.
Don’t: Use peel off masks
The peeling action of some face masks can do more harm than good, especially as some masks can contain Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) which is a strong adhesive ingredient used in powerful glues. While you may think peel-off face masks are unclogging your pores, they are actually removing the skin’s essential oils and protective cells, which are important to support healthy skin. These masks can cause damage to the surface layer of acne-prone skin and trigger adverse skin reactions.
Do: Support healthy skin
The root causes of skin congestion are mainly hormonal fluctuations, overactive sebum production, exacerbated stress, and weak immunity. The best way to effectively treat all types of acne (including whiteheads and blackheads) is to use powerful nutritional supplements that contain proven skin health nutrients such as Vitamin B5, at a higher potency. Vitamin B5 is a very important but often overlooked nutrient. It is a key nutrient required in a lot of important body biochemistries that support skin health. Skin health nutrients target root causes simultaneously and effectively controls the condition, working to support inner body chemistry and achieve clear skin from within rather than just treating the symptoms on the surface.
Do: Use an oil cleanser
Hydration, regardless of skin type, is essential — especially for blemished skin, which can easily get dehydrated when acne is treated. Using an oil cleanser on acne-prone skin may seem counter-intuitive, but it can be very beneficial if the right oil is used. The trick is choosing a non-comedogenic (not pore blocking) oil, like olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or even rosehip oil. Avoid richer, heavier oils like coconut oil, castor oil, wheat germ oil, and all essential oils.
To cleanse with oil, simply wet palms and face before massaging it in; the water will help the oil glide easily over skin. Immediately after, use a gentle cleanser to ensure all makeup and oil is removed before moving onto the next step in your skincare routine.
Do: Take a booster supplement
Your body has nutrient requirements, which are important to meet, especially if you are acne prone. As modern food farming and process methods have led to lower nutrient contents of our foods and a busy modern lifestyle makes sourcing and eating nutrient-rich food almost impossible, finding these nutrients from other sources is essential. For example, a daily scoop of high-quality supplement containing collagen or collagen building nutrients, a broad nutrient profile, and supportive herbs, is a simple way for us to get the nutrients we need to support skin health.
SkinB5 skin care products offer effective, safe and long-lasting solutions to treats the root and cause of acne through scientifically formulated and natural ingredients. To find out more go to skinB5.com
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