Acne is a prevalent skin condition affecting 633 million worldwide, I included. Luckily I’ve learned how to control mine, and my skin is the clearest it’s been in years with the use of effective acne control tips I’ll share with you!
But acne isn’t just a case of a few spots here and there now and then, if only! It can be soul-destroying, and I know many of you know too. It can cover your face, neck, chest and back and take many forms from papules to pimples, blackheads to whiteheads to cystic acne, which is probably the most difficult to treat and the most severe form, which can lead to scarring of the skin.
Many things can trigger acne, but the most common are hormones, which affects teenagers the worst but not exclusively. Acne can continue way into your 30s and 40s and can take hold at any time or any stage in your life, and it’s prevalent during pregnancy again due to hormones.
But don’t worry, there’s plenty of acne control tips you can try to implement into your day, as well as using your acne skincare and any prescription medications.
Top ten acne control tips that worked on my skin:
1. Wash your makeup brushes in tea tree oil.
When you have acne, it’s super important to keep your makeup brushes and sponges bacteria-free.
Using dirty makeup brushes will spread acne-causing bacteria all over your skin and which will sit there all day, resulting in yet more spots.
Tea tree oil breaks down the makeup and the oil whilst being an excellent antibacterial disinfectant.
Just put a few drops in some hot water along with a small amount of your acne cleanser and swirl your brushes around in the mix. You will immediately see all the grossness coming out of them, and you won’t believe your eyes; it’s so satisfying! Rinse away dirty water, then repeat and allow them to soak for a while. Rinse again and dry with a clean towel. Try to do this weekly if you use your brushes daily.
2. Clean your mobile phone screen.
Did you know your mobile phone contains more bacteria than a public toilet seat! Ewww!
So by holding your phone up to your face to take calls or touching it constantly as we do, texting and using it to keep to date on our social media, then feeling our faces, we are transferring that bacteria onto our skin, causing yet more breakouts.
Try to use your phone hands-free as much as possible for calls, and at least twice a day, wipe it with alcohol-based cleansing wipes.
3. Change your pillowcase.
Our pillowcases are another source of acne-causing bacteria; whilst we sleep, we drool! that drool goes onto our pillow and night after night, more and more accumulates.
Our pillowcase also accumulates a build-up of dirt, oil and bacteria from our skin, hair and the general environment, so it is essential to change it regularly.
When you suffer from acne, change your pillowcase every other night and flip it every night, so it’s always clean.
4. Keep your hair off your face.
Often, we have acne because we overproduce sebum, an oil that keeps our skin and hair soft. Quite often, people that suffer from acne suffer from greasy hair, so it’s essential to keep it off your face to avoid oil from your hair spreading onto your skin. If your acne spreads to your hairline, you can use your salicylic acid wash to wash your scalp around your hairline.
5. Avoid fabric conditioners.
Fabric conditioners, although they make your washing smell great, can make your acne worse, especially on your towels, pillowcases, your tops and nightclothes.
6. Double cleanse your back.
If you wash your hair and some conditioner runs down your back, often remnants of this can be left on your skin, making back acne so much worse. Ensure to cleanse your back before getting out of the shower to avoid this.
7. Use the right makeup for acne.
You probably thought makeup was an absolute no-no when you’ve got acne. Well, believe it or not, there are actually makeup options especially formulated for acne-prone skin, so always opt for these.
They will not clog your pores, and some even contain salicylic acid, which treats skin as you wear makeup.
8. Always remove makeup before bed.
This goes without saying, but I know it is easier said than done but trust me, it is so important.
Our cells turnover whilst we sleep, and whilst we still have makeup on the old surface, cells won’t be able to shed; they will mix with the makeup and oil and clog your pores and cause breakouts.
A good double cleanses at bedtime to make sure all that makeup is off so your skin can breathe and function whilst you catch some Zzz’s.
9. Keep your skin well moisturised.
It’s a common misconception that oily acne skin cannot be moisturised, whereas if you don’t, it can become dehydrated. This leads to your skin overcompensating by producing more oil, meaning more breakouts.
Choose a non-greasy, non-comedogenic moisturiser especially for acne or oily skin.
10. Drink plenty of water.
This is also really important for keeping your skin hydrated and flushing away toxins that can build up in the skin leading to breakouts.
So there’s plenty to keep you going there and to try; none of these acne control tips is to replace an excellent regular skincare regime of topical products, supplements, a good diet and lifestyle choices to maintain healthy stress levels.