5 Must Do’s and Don’ts To Quickly Clear Up An Acne Breakout
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Managing acne is a lifelong journey for many of us and having an acne treatment plan that you can stick to long-term is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
But on occasion you may start indulging in a few things you had given up for the sake of your skin like eating that slice of cake or tossing back some cocktails here and there. And before you know it a pimple or two or three starts to pop up all over.
Research has shown that acne can have major psychological effects on patients such as increased risk for anxiety and depression. That’s why it’s always good to understand why a breakout occurs and know exactly what to do about it. And the good news is that it doesn’t have to take years or even months to turn things around.
That said, with as much information available on the internet on how to treat acne or clear acne symptoms, it really boils down to five things you really ought to know and remember whenever you’re going through it.
1. REDUCE SUGAR CONSUMPTION
It’s best to avoid consuming too much sugar. One study found frequent consumption of sugar increases the risk of developing acne by 30%. And by sugar we mean ingredients that have a significant effect on insulin such as table sugar, processed food with high sugar content.
Artificial sweeteners are categorized differently from sugar in that they are synthetic sugar substitutes. But it’s worth mentioning here because it has a similar effect on the body as sugar and results in glucose and insulin spikes, and this eventually leads to insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance- the root cause of acne.
TIP: If you have almost uncontrollable sugar cravings, you can either rely on fruits or explore more natural sugar alternatives like stevia. But as a word of caution, this doesn’t work for everyone and you may need to cut sugar off completely for a while.
2. STOP CONSUMING DAIRY
There’s nothing like a bowl of cereal with milk, dairy based ice cream, yogurt, and cheese because of their rich and creamy textures. But giving up dairy is one of the most important things you can do because of its significant effect on acne.
A part of the danger with milk comes from the genetically modified ingredients fed to cows-like soy and corn, as well as antibiotics added to many of the highly processed commercial dairy products.
Not to mention if you have lactose intolerance, consuming dairy could result in severe acne due to inflammation and other gut issues that may result.
Luckily, milk alternatives like oat and almond milk are available and can be safely consumed long-term.
3. STOP USING VEGETABLE OIL
First and foremost, most ‘vegetable oils’ are not actually made from vegetable but can be from grains like corn or highly processed ingredients like canola that are often made from genetically modified plants.
Vegetable oil is also high in Omega 6 and this can be very inflammatory to the body, which promotes the development of acne.
For this reason it would be a good idea to start cooking your own meals so you control what oils are used, which should be the natural cold pressed variety like coconut, avocado, and olive oil. If you’re interested in other types of ‘healthy’ foods to avoid then you’ll find this helpful.
4. TRY VITAMIN THERAPY
Be aware that it is best practice to have medical consultation before taking supplements because a lot of them are made synthetically, some may not work well with prescription medication, some are not intended for prolonged use, and some may just not work for you.
With that said, there are supplements found to be very effective in the treatment of acne and have not been shown to have serious or prolonged side effects. For instance this woman shares her experience with DIM supplements to treat her hormonal acne, and how it changed her life.
Also from personal experience, DIM is a must-have in any skin treatment arsenal because it not only helps eliminate breakouts but to maintain clear skin as well.
Fortunately, there are many brands of DIM on the market and one of our favorites is by Smoky Mountain Naturals.
Vitex agnus-castus is another herbal supplement found to help female and male hormonal imbalances linked to cystic acne. You may even see quicker results when taken first thing in the morning, and along with DIM as part of your treatment plan.
Pantothenic acid is another important supplement that helps regulate sebum production and the Now Foods Pantothenic Acid is very affordable and effective for this purpose.
And finally, there is Omega 3 that has anti-inflammatory properties and is good to take all year round to help maintain your skin and overall health.
5. USE ACNE-FIGHTING ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
You want to make sure that you’re including active ingredients as part of your skin care routine to complement the other internal measures you’re taking. And the most common actives of the lot are salicylic acid, retinoid, and benzoyl peroxide.
Each ingredient is available in various strengths, and product types- whether cleansers, toners, serums or treatments. And so it’s really up to you to figure out how to incorporate them based on your preference, budget and lifestyle.
No matter your choice, the important thing to remember is that you use must use actives consistently. And if your skin is sensitive, you should start off slow and work your way up to higher strengths and frequency.
If you’re breaking out and not using some form of active, then symptoms will take longer to treat and you won’t give your skin the best chance at fighting bacteria, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, scarring or other issues that come with acne.
We understand that for some of you this information may be a lot to unpack. So you can also refer to this quick guide:
The Bottom Line
Don’t let acne discourage you. If you’ve had acne for a long time it may seem like you’re destined to live the rest of your life battling pimples, cysts, hyperpigmentation and scarring.
But it can get better.
Put the tips we’ve shared into practice now, focus on cultivating a healthier lifestyle, and you’ll be surprised how well your skin responds.
