on March 20, 2020
Like booty calls and taxes, acne is a part of life. Whether it's cystic acne, hormonal acne, or postpartum acne, here's a secret: it doesn't make you any less of a babe. But when the bumps have you down in the dumps, it's okay to want a little less of them. To treat acne, you need to know what's causing it.
Problem: Pore congestion
One of the most common causes of acne and breakouts is congestion. That's when excess oil, makeup, bacteria, and pollution get stuck in your pores and stay there. If you're not cleaning your face and clearing what's hiding in your pores, get ready for a wave of zits.
Solution: A face mask for acne
Get a routine that cleans your skin and clears out congestion. Start with a cleanser to remove makeup and surface-level dirt, like my Enzyme Face Cleanser. Move onto a natural enzyme exfoliant like my Glow Mask to dive deep into your pores and clear congestion. It can also help reduce the appearance of acne scars and is gentle on sensitive and inflamed skin. Finish with a light, non-greasy moisturiser to protect your skin barrier without further clogging.
Problem: Hormonal acne
PMS, pregnancy, puberty, getting off the pill: there's a lot that causes the hormonal action happening under your hood. Oestrogen and progesterone are two of the main culprits. They do a lot of good work for your body, but occasionally throw you a curve-ball in the form of a planet on your face, #letsbefrank.
Solution: Keep your face clean
These peaks in hormones are inevitable. Be patient, it'll pass. In the meantime, use natural products that won't aggravate your skin. Keep your face clean, exfoliate to clear congestion and impurities, and moisturise to keep your skin barrier happy. Natural ingredients are especially important when it comes to postpartum acne if you're breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor or dermatologist if you're ever unsure which ingredients are safe.
Problem: Stress acne
Stress leads to poor sleep. When you're not sleeping, you may notice zits erupting on your face like mini volcanoes. Not enough sleep causes your body to experience higher cortisol levels, which can trigger breakouts.
Solution: Check your sleep hygiene
Get some sleep. Read before bed, stay off your phone, and soak with my In Your Dreams Sleep Scrub & Soak. Made with calming ingredients to relax your body and mind before bed, so when you get horizontal you'll actually drift off. Better sleep helps reduce cortisol levels and lets your skin cells refresh, which can help manage hormonal acne over time.
Problem: Product chemicals
Some ingredients are sneaky: hidden in ingredient lists, ready to clog your pores. Watch out for sodium lauryl sulphate and synthetic fragrances, especially if you have sensitive skin. And don't forget about your shampoo and conditioner if you're breaking out along your hairline.
Solution: Go natural
Check the labels on the products you're using. Chemicals that dry out your skin only cause irritation and further inflammation. Natural skincare, like mine, cleanses without stripping your skin's natural oils while helping reduce existing blemishes. Try going makeup-free for a few days and see the difference it makes. My Glow Mask will keep your skin bright and glowing. You might not even want to go back.
Problem: Pash rash
Breaking out on the lower half of your face? Pashed someone with a beard lately? Ding ding ding. The friction causes an increase in oil production and therefore clogged pores. Suggest a beard oil to soften things up. Or a clean shave. But not a clean break. I'd never make you slow down on the smooching.
Acne is a part of life for most babes. Don't ignore it: look at what's going on in your life that could be causing it. When in doubt, see your dermatologist. And pop your booty, not your pimples.
x frank
