Hey Guys! Our in-house expert has some advice for putting your best face forward.
Imagine the scenario: You wake up, look in the mirror and take a double-take. Is that a pimple? Ugh! You sigh, feeling both annoyed and defeated.
I bet you thought you were done with nasty breakouts the day you hung up your prom tuxedo. You ask yourself: did it appear because of continually wearing the dreaded N95 mask? Or did I shave too closely and got an ingrown hair which, in turn, clogged my pores? Did I forget to wash my face after struggling through a sweaty workout at the gym? Or am I chronically riddled with anxiety, binge-watching The Sandman, and not getting enough restorative sleep? Have I ignored my own needs and simply let self-care take a nosedive?
There could be a million reasons, but unless you’re Dr. Pimple Popper, I don’t suggest attacking the uninvited, angry blemish that has arrogantly taken residence on your face, no matter how much it’s screaming to be popped. Picking exposes the pore to even more bacteria including those from your hands. (Admit it, there is a weird feeling of satisfaction in squeezing that sucker.) PLEASE, have some restraint to prevent further infection and scarring. Take a safer, healthier approach and you’ll be facing the world with clear skin in no time. Plan your strategy to rid yourself of these unwanted perpetrators FAST.
1. INITIAL ATTACK: It’s imperative to wash your face, in the morning and before bed, with a mild cleanser. Overwashing with too strong a product is counter-productive and may cause an imbalance in the acid mantle of your skin and cause an overproduction of oil. Don’t rub harshly or use abrasive scrubs which may cause microscopic tears and spread bacteria.
TRY: Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit, $28.50, Ulta. Blu Atlas, The Volcanic Ash Facial Cleanser, $25.00. www.bluatlas.com
TIP: Post-gym workout, freshen up with Every Man Jack Skin Clearing Facial Wipes, $8.00, www.everymanjack.com
2. BATTLE PLAN: Use topical products, look for a moisturizer or lotion that contains the following ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or glycolic acid to help gently exfoliate, dry up excess oil and reduce inflammation.
TRY: Normaderm Phytoaction Acne Control Daily Moisturizer, $29.50, www.vichyusa.com
3. BRING IN REINFORCEMENTS: Apply a face mask once a week to absorb excess oil and unclog pores with kaolin, lavender flower water, and willow bark extract.
TRY: Lumin’s Charcoal Clay Mask, $19.00, www.Luminskin.Com, or Hanhoo DermaFix Blemish Mask With Tea Tree Oil (Sheet Mask 5 Pack, $15.00, www.amazon.com)
4. TARGET YOUR ENEMY: Spot treat. Topically apply products that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients that reduce swelling and kick-start the healing process.
TRY: Burt’s Bees Herbal Complexion Stick with tea tree oil and willow bark. It’s convenient and discreet to use at the first sign of a pimple erupting. $7.99. www.burtsbees.com
TRY: Differin Adapalene Gel contains a retinoid, a chemical compound derived from vitamin A. Apply once a day all over the face. $14.99, www.target.com
PATCHES: Banish stubborn blemishes with patches that contain micro darts and powerful, targeted ingredients to be used at night. TRY: Zitsticka Killa Kit (the name alone slays me!) $29.00, www.zitsticka.com
5. WATCH YOUR TONE: Now that the blemish is hopefully history, it may have left a reminder of its existence on your skin. Help alleviate acne scarring, discoloration, and uneven tone with Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, $9.60, www.paulaschoice.com. Use alone or add to moisturizer.
6. TAKE COVER: Timing is everything and your Zoom call is about to begin. You should be the center of attention, not your zit. There is an easy, straightforward way to camouflage that sucka up. If the pimple is the shade of a red, hothouse tomato, purchase a color corrector in the shade of green. Green is the opposite of red and will neutralize the redness.
TRY: Maybelline New York Master Camo Color Correcting, $8.29. www.amazon.com.
Stryx Concealer Tool, $20.00, www.stryx.com or, Woak Stealth Fighter Pen Concealer for Men, $12.95, www.woakskin.com
Once the corrector has been applied, dab a small amount of concealer that matches your skin tone, either with a small brush, pointed Q-Tip swab, or clean fingers, and gently tap/blend into the skin.
An occasional breakout is enough to shake confidence and stir up adolescent angst. When you’re prepared with a full arsenal and take the steps to master a comedone (blackhead extractor tool), it won’t be another head-scratching mystery you have to unravel. Always seek the help of a medical professional to determine what’s best for you. It’s never frivolous or vain to develop a skincare battle plan, make it a part of what you do for your well-being. Now, who is that handsome devil in the mirror?
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