Everyone has had acne or a pimple at some point, no matter how hard we try to keep our skin clear. If you clicked on this article, I’m assuming that you get acne (like most of us). Have you ever considered that your body is trying to tell you something? Everything that goes on inside of us is connected; a problem in your stomach can affect your heart, which can affect your brain, which can affect… you get the idea. Getting acne or pimples in certain areas on your face can be attributed to imbalance in another part of your body. If you haven’t been getting enough sleep, exercise, or eating healthily, then it can show through on your face.
There are some people who have naturally sensitive skin, in which case these indicators might not be so for you. Nonetheless, this video will tell you exactly what your face is saying and how you can deal with it, and hopefully one day you will have clear skin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z139_OHNuLE
Now, I’m going to share some of my favourite products that have really helped me to keep a clear complexion and fight that acne when it pops up.
Neutrogena® Acne Spot Treatment
This is a cream that I really love, partially because it contains natural ingredients so it’s perfect for sensitive skin. It comes in a tiny bottle, although you don’t need very much. I use it twice a day, just taking a little dollop on my finger and massaging into the areas of my face where I get acne most frequently (usually around my nose and in between by eyebrows). It does leave a bit of a sticky feeling when it dries, so I like to use this before I moisturize, and then my lotion takes away the sticky feeling.
It is salicylic acid based, so if you know that salicylic acid doesn’t work for you, then this product might not be as effective, but it does help me contain my breakouts.
Clean & Clear® Advantage® Plus Popped Pimple Drying Paste
Although the name is a bit of a mouthful, this product comes in a very small package. As the name states, it’s for use after you’ve popped a pimple to make sure that the wound doesn’t get infected and it heals with minimal acne scars.
If your parents or someone has told you not to pop your pimples, then I won’t be the one to tell you otherwise, but I do it because an unpopped pimple hurts and quite frankly does not look very attractive.
I use this at night, and it only takes a teardrop-sized amount to cover your wound, and then you just let it dry. The paste will turn from blue to white when it’s fully dried, and then you can just wash it off. This being said, it will not get rid of your pimple right away. You will still see a bump afterwards and there will still be redness, this paste is only to protect and soothe your skin.
Girls have a slight advantage here because if you use this at night or in the morning, you can then apply some concealer over the area(s) and the blemish will not be as visible if you’re going to be taking pictures or going somewhere special.
Again, this product is salicylic acid based, so it may or may not work for you.
Sephora® Dark Spot Minimizing Serum
This last product is by Sephora, so the price is a bit higher compared to the other two, but it does yield very nice results.
I have some dark spots, whether from acne scars or just random blemishes, and using this gel really helps. All you do is squeeze a little bit out into the applicator head, and then massage it into the areas of your skin where you need it.
There are a lot of other products out there that are for targeting dark spots, but in my experience this one is the least costly for its effects. It does come in a really small packaging as well, but as with all these products, a little goes a long way.
With the exception of the last product, you can find acne-fighting agents in your regular drug or grocery store. It doesn’t take some miracle product or super expensive brand names to solve your acne problem. Looking for products that have more natural-based ingredients will yield longer-lasting results, although not as immediate. The road to clear skin takes patience and self-confidence, but armed with this newfound knowledge, the journey should be easier.