Pimple Predicament
This past week I had a large annoying pimple on the bridge of my nose. Hard to say exactly what it was from, but it inspired me to write a blog with some tips and tricks to resolve acne quickly and prevent it from forming. Let me preface by saying that I am obviously not a dermatologist. Everyone has different skin types and sensitivities, so what works for me, may not work for you and vice versa. The information I’m putting below is what I have learned from experience, my Curology provider, and research. I’m going to break these tips up by quick/short term solutions and long term habits!
Acne band-aids are a holy grail for me. I don’t know about you, but I love to pick and pop pimples. And not only can this lead to scarring, but it can be very unhygienic. Hydrocolloid patches cover the pimple to prevent touching while also drawing the excess fluids (oil and pus) out from the blemish. Your pimple will drain faster and you will have way less inflammation. Again, if you love popping pimples, you'll love the white spot that forms on the bandage as it pulls out all the gunk. Very gross and very satisfying. These will also pull moisture from the covered skin so the area may get a little dry if you have used the patches for multiple days. I have these patches, with daytime and nighttime options. They’re all kinda the same, so just get the best value in terms of price and quantity.
Spot treatments are typically made with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. They help to
reduce redness and size of problem spots quickly, but may also dry out the skin. I currently have the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel. Another trick I learned from Steph is that if you have something like Curology or a different skincare prescription, you can apply a little of that, but don’t rub it in! This method will dry out the blemish.
- Dr. Jart Clearing Mask -- I picked up this mask with a birthday gift card for Sephora. The reviews were glowing, and I thought it would be good as an emergency product before a shoot. The big key ingredients are glutathione (contains antioxidant properties and visibly brightens skin), niacinamide (visibly brightens complexion), salicylic acid and tea tree leaf oil (absorbs excess oil). I used this mask after a new product broke me out all over. It was really cool and soothing, and my skin looked so much less inflamed in the morning.
Green tea cold compress -- I haven’t tried this one yet, but Curology recommends it! Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and as I mentioned in the Beauty Fridge blog, chilled products can help reduce inflammation and calm redness. Steep your tea bag, take it out and let it cool, squeeze some of the excess water out, and freeze for 10+ minutes. Use the “compress” for about 20 seconds at a time.
Cortisone shot. I know this sounds scary but it’s the fastest way to flatten a big blemish, especially if it is a cystic pimple. If you have an important event the next day, this is an overnight solution, albeit inconvenient!
Good Habits
- Don’t skip your skincare routine! Every night I wash my face for at least 60 seconds with Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser. You never want to go to bed with your pores clogged up with oil, makeup, sweat, bacteria, etc. Washing your face after a workout is super important as well. If you live in a humid climate, or sweat a lot, I recommend this soap as well. It contains Zinc pyrithione (ZnP, a form of zinc with antifungal and antibacterial properties, emu oil for anti-inflammation, and milled oats to form a protective barrier as well as remove dirt and lock in moisture. I use this one after the first wash and let the suds sit on my face for 30-60 seconds. It kind of smells bad (and really hurts if you get it in your eyes) but has been an awesome addition to my skincare routine in Miami.
Cosdna.com -- I know we all love trying the newest trends and products but I cannot stress enough the importance of checking this site for the ingredients and their potential for irritation and acne. Anything higher than a 2 is a no go for people with sensitive skin. I was recently sent a skincare item to review. I was super excited to try it out and applied it with researching. It wasn’t until afterwards that I saw this “dermatologist approved” cream had TWO ingredients with a 4 or 5 on the risk scale. And sure enough, I had several new pimples in the morning! You can even check makeup products on here.
If acne is a long term, ongoing issue for you, I recommend investing in Curology. It's $40 every other month for a custom skincare formula that addresses your needs and concerns. With that price, you also have access to a dermatology expert who can answer any questions and adjust the formula. I started Curology when I moved to Miami because my skin had a hard time adjusting to the heat and humidity. Although I still struggle with some hormonal acne, the tiny bumps that covered my forehead are completely gone.
Ballin' out? Microneedling! This is not a quick fix -- you’ll have at least a day of looking sunburnt after each treatment and it takes at least a week to see a difference in skin texture and tone. You can read more about my experience with microneedling here!
Don’t try too many new products at once. Introduce one at a time until you know it is a good match for your skin. If you try 2 new products at the same time and you break out, you won’t know which product was the problem.
Watch what you’re mixing and matching! I made the following table based off of this article. Mixing with the Don’ts column may result in skin irritation or decrease the effectiveness of the ingredients.
What are your tips and tricks for problem pimples? Comment below and I’ll share some to my Stories!
Disclaimers: Several product links were made through LTK, where I receive a small commission when products are purchased through my links. I only link products that I've tried and love.
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