My Skin Is Breaking Out

Make Tweaks To Your Diet

Maryna Kracht, founder of Mahalo Skin Care, tells Bustle over email, “Keeping the digestive tract healthy with fermented foods , kombucha, and kefir not only provides an important balance of probiotics, healthy acid balance, and vitamin boost, it also helps with proper absorption of nutrients and elimination of toxins through proper digestive tract routes and not through your skin.” Kracht adds that eating dark green vegetables will boost the alkalinity level in the body, so it might be time you start incorporating more leafy greens into your diet.

“What you eat is what you are,” says Annie Tevelin, founder of SkinOwl, “so make sure your food choices are smart to prevent breakouts.”

“You want to think clean when you are treating skin irritation and redness. Think salmon, avocado, nuts, broccoli, bananas, garlic, cucumbers, red grapes, hummus, and try to cut back on alcohol,” she elaborates in an email to Bustle.

Where Are Your Pimples Popping Up

We often think of the T-zone as the main area for acne breakout, since the forehead, nose and chin are notorious for pumping out lots of sebum in acne-prone skin. But there are other areas of the face that experience acne breakouts. And where those breakouts occur may shed light on the source of the problem.

Try To Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

One of the most basic tips for how to get rid of acne is simply to keep your hands to yourself. Your hands arent always clean, and dirt under your fingernails and improper squeezing can cause acne to spread or lead to further infection, Dr. Hammerman says. Plus, popping can lead to pitted scars, which stick around much longer than that pimple would.

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What Causes Adult Acne

Adult acne, or post-adolescent acne, is acne that occurs after age 25. For the most part, the same factors that cause acne in adolescents are at play in adult acne. The four factors that directly contribute to acne are: excess oil production, pores becoming clogged by “sticky” skin cells, bacteria, and inflammation.

There are also some indirect factors that influence the aforementioned direct factors, including

• hormones, stress, and the menstrual cycle in women, all of which can influence oil production
• hair products, skin care products, and makeup, which can clog pores
• diet, which can influence inflammation throughout the body.

Some medications, including corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, and lithium, can also cause acne.

Many skin disorders, including acne, can be a window into a systemic condition. For example, hair loss, excess hair growth, irregular menstrual cycles, or rapid weight gain or loss in addition to acne, or rapid onset of acne with no prior history of acne, can all be red flags of an underlying disease, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, or other endocrine disorders. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing additional symptoms he or she may recommend further evaluation.

How Is Acne Treated

Your healthcare provider may suggest some non-prescription medications for your condition. Depending on the conditions severity, your age, the type of acne you have and how effective the over-the-counter remedies have been, you may need stronger prescription medications.

The use of certain contraceptives can sometimes help a womans acne go away. The Food and Drug Administration has approved three types of birth control pills for treating acne. All four contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone .

Various medications and therapies have proven to be effective. They target the underlying factors that contribute to acne. You might require at least one or multiple, depending on the severity of your condition.

Medications applied topically:

Medications taken orally :

Other therapies:

Depending on your condition, your healthcare provider might suggest one of these specialized therapies, possibly combined with medication.

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How Can I Prevent Pimples

Preventing pimples is difficult, if not impossible, during normal hormonal changes. But the following tips may help:

• Wash your face once or twice daily with warm water and a mild facial cleanser.
• Routinely use moisturizers made for your face be sure they have no perfumes and are non-comedogenic .
• You dont have to stop using makeup, but try using non-comedogenic products and always remove your makeup at the end of each day.
• Routinely wash your hair be sure to include your hairline along your forehead.
• Keep hair gels and other products away from your face.
• Try not to touch your skin on your face with your hands.

What Cant I Eat Or Drink If I Have Pimples

Healthcare providers and researchers once believed that certain foods might contribute to the development of pimples, especially skim milk, whey protein and diets high in sugar . However, that may not be true. The research between diet and pimples isnt clear.

But certain vitamins promote healthy skin, which may help prevent pimples. These include:

• Vitamin A: Good sources of vitamin A include leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, tomatoes, fruits, fish and liver.
• Vitamin D: Good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish and vitamin-fortified foods, including dairy and nondairy milks, breakfast cereals and orange juice.
• Vitamin E: Good sources of vitamin E include nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables and vegetable oils.

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Use Sunscreen That Doesn’t Clog Pores

While SPF is a must, some sunscreens can trigger breakouts. You want to look for oil-free and non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog pores, says Dr. Karen Hammerman, MD, from Schweiger Dermatology. Options from brands like Elta MD and Peter Thomas Roth, which are recommended by the pros, are specifically tested on acne-prone skin so you can get your dose of SPF without having to worry about clogged pores.

With some acne-treating products, though, youll need to go a level above a strong SPF. If you are using a retinol or retinol-derivative treatment, or any ingredients that make your skin more sensitive, avoid sun exposure, Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, said.

Refrain From Excess Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from the skin.

While some exfoliation can help improve acne, too much can worsen breakouts. This happens when a person removes too much natural oil from the skin. The skin may compensate by producing more oil, which clogs pores and produces more pimples.

If a person exfoliates too much, the skin may become irritated or feel very tight after washing.

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How Are Pimples Diagnosed

Pimples are easy to recognize, so you dont necessarily need a healthcare professional to diagnose them. But your healthcare provider can diagnose pimples during a skin exam.

They may ask if youre undergoing significant stress or if you have a family history of pimples, which are risk factors. If you menstruate, your healthcare provider may ask about your menstrual cycles, as pimple breakouts are sometimes related. Sudden, severe pimple outbreaks in people 50 years of age or older can sometimes signal another underlying disease that requires medical attention.

If you have severe pimples , see a dermatologist for treatment. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in conditions that affect your skin, hair and nails.

Do Birth Control Pills Cause Or Cure Acne

Birth control pills may help some women control acne. The hormones in birth control pills can help block androgen hormones. Androgen puts oil glands into overdrive. Some birth control pills, though, can make acne worse. So even if you take birth control pills, you’ll still need a good acne skin care routine.

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Is My Skin Telling Me Something About My Health

Getting a cold might be an indicator that you are going to break out, but other times, your pimples can tell you what’s going on in your body. According to Women’s Health Magazine, chin acne can indicate a hormonal imbalance and redness, or blotchiness can indicate stress, a digestive disorder, or lupus. If you are concerned about your acne, speak with your dermatologist.

How To Treat Dry Skin When You’re Breaking Out

Suffering with uncomfortable pimples or sore dry skin is not ideal, but when you’re suffering with both at once, your skincare situation can feel like a nightmare. If you’re currently living through this, you’ll need to know how to treat dry skin when you’re breaking out, because as you may have noticed already, it’s not as easy as you might think.

Unless you’ve experienced both acne and dry skin together , you might not appreciate the complexity of the situation. Chances are, you’ve likely experienced pus-filled pimples or dry skin at some point in your life so far. Thus, you’ll understand that, depending on the severity of the issue, there are specific products that fight either problem. However, when you are suffering both ailments at once, it’s a whole other dilemma.

If you think about how acne treatments work, you’re sure to understand that many of these products aim to dry out acne. But, if you’re also suffering with dry skin, the last thing you’ll want is to make your skin even more parched. It works the other way too products aimed at dry skin attempt to moisturize, but if you also have acne, you don’t want to run the risk of further clogging your pores with potentially thick, moisturizing products. It’s a vicious circle.

So I spoke to a bunch of skincare experts, to discover exactly how to treat dry skin when you’re also breaking out.

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Stick To A Skincare Routine For At Least A Month

As much as you may want to, you really can’t rush the healing process. “Stick to a skincare routine for at least one month,” says Kracht, “as it takes the skin 26 days to complete itâs cycle. Give your skin love and care to allow it to take the steps to properly rebuild and recover itself.”

Don’t be disheartened, it’s totally possible to treat dry skin when you’re breaking out â just follow this expert advice and you should see improvements soon!

Images: annabelisolde , kerdkanno , , cuncon , sferrario1968 , chezbeate , Basti93 /Pixabay Seth Doyle /Unsplash Courtesy Brands

What Can I Do If I Have Acne

The self-help techniques below may be useful:

• Don’t wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day. Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse
• Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can make acne worse
• Don’t try to “clean out” blackheads or squeeze spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scarring
• Avoid using too much make-up and cosmetics. Use water-based products that are described as non-comedogenic
• Completely remove make-up before going to bed
• If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance-free, water-based emollient
• Regular exercise can’t improve your acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising, as sweat can irritate your acne
• Wash your hair regularly and try to avoid letting your hair fall across your face

Although acne can’t be cured, it can be controlled with treatment. Several creams, lotions and gels for treating spots are available at pharmacies. If you develop acne, it’s a good idea to speak to your pharmacist for advice.

Treatments can take up to 3 months to work, so don’t expect results overnight. Once they do start to work, the results are usually good.

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Ask A Derm: Is My Skin Purging Or Just Breaking Out

Karen Kagha, MD, FAAD, is a Boston-based board-certified dermatologist. She is currently a Cosmetic and Laser Fellow at Harvard Massachusetts General Hospital.

Rochelle Brock / Refinery29 for Getty

In This Article

The term skin purging may conjure up images of gunk and grime being extracted from your pores, as seen on any number of the videos that feature massive blackheads being pushed from pores, or pus-filled pimples being popped out of the skin.

The real deal when it comes to skin purging, however, is that its not nearly that gruesome . Rather, a skin purge simply refers to the reaction some skin has to certain products, namely retinols and acids. These specific ingredients are known as chemical exfoliants, and because they slough off that top layer of dead skin cells, new ones regenerate sooner than they would on their own, which can bring blockages to the surface and cause irritation and breakouts.

Key Ingredients

Retinol is a type of retinoid, which is a derivative of vitamin A. It is an antioxidant used in anti-aging skin care products.

Can I Prevent Acne

There’s no sure way to prevent acne. But these tips might help reduce the number and severity of your breakouts:

• Washing your skin is the most important thing you can do. It helps remove excess surface oils and dead skin cells that can clog your pores. But washing too much can cause damage by making your skin too dry or irritating acne thats already there.
• Remember to wash after exercising because sweat can clog your pores and make your acne worse. If you work around greasy food or oil, if you’ve been sweating from heat or from working hard, wash your face and other acne-prone areas as soon as possible.
• If you use skin products, such as lotions or makeup, look for ones that are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic, which means that they don’t clog pores.
• If you use hair spray or styling gel, try to keep them away from your face as much as possible. Many hair products contain oils that can make acne worse. Try to use water-based products.
• If you get acne on areas such as your chest or back, avoid wearing tight clothes, which can rub and cause irritation.

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Why Is Dr Pimple Popper So Popular

Nauseating close ups of puss and blood splurging out of clogged pores, cysts and boilswhy wouldanyone want to watch this stuff? While this may be a boggling pass time for some, the fact remains that peoplelots and lots of peoplenot only take pleasure from watching these videos, they make it a habitual activity.

How To Reverse Aging Naturally

So maybe you havent celebrated the big 4-0 birthday yet. Maybe you dont have kids, and youre still trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. So sure, you havent started seeing signs of time marching across your face just yet. But let us be the bearer of bad news: just because you havent started noticing signs of aging in the mirror yet, doesnt mean its not time to start shifting to an anti-aging skincare routine! Need more of a reason to look into natural age prevention regimens? Read on, my friend.

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Can You Prevent Purging

Say you have a new product you feel may improve your skin, but you dont really want to deal with the skin purge aftermath that comes with it. Is there anything that can be done to prevent a purge? Unfortunately, not really. But dermatologists recommend slowly introducing a new product into your routine to give your skin some time to adjust. For a new retinol, for example, try using the product once in the first week, twice in the second week, three times in the third week, and so on until you’re using the product every day or every other day .

And before you choose a new product, always take a good look at the ingredients and compare notes with other products that haven’t worked so well for you in the pastyour complexion just might not be compatible with a certain chemical or component. “There are a few active ingredients that can be an issue for some people, like chemical sunscreens, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, that will always be a problem for them, no matter the formulation,” says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, founder of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor of dermatology at George Washington University. “Otherwise, trial and error.”

Is It Normal To Breakout During A Detox

So, you started your detox and notice a few blemishes here and there. What gives? Now, before you get all worked up, let me assure you that its completely normal to breakout during a detox.

If youre unfamiliar with how detoxing works but want the benefits of detox tea, you must trust the process. Breaking out is sometimes part of that process. In fact, its actually a good sign that your detox is actually working! Hear me out

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Your Skincare Products Are Comedogenic

Now, as for your skincare regimen, its imperative that you pick non-comedogenic products. These days, its more of an industry standard, but some people will react differently to certain ingredients. For example, coconut oil is famously comedogenic, but particularly in high doses. So, while you might see it as an ingredient in many skincare products, it might be nominal. Or, it might go right for your pores and plug them up.

If you want to be vigilant about it, just look for the non-comedogenic designation on any products. If theyre certified as such, then theyll proudly note it. Or, you can shop products that are labeled for acne-prone skin, as this is typically the same designation.