My skin typically behaves, but when it doesn’t and wants to disgrace me or spoil my market, What do I do? Stick around if you want to find out.
Quick disclaimer! This is not meant to be a thorough analysis of acne as a whole or of the more serious and persistent acne type called cystic acne (a severe type of acne in which the pores in the skin become blocked, leading to infection and inflammation). I am sharing my opinion on what has worked for my skin.
Before we dive in, let’s do a recap on key skin terminology.
- Pores are the small openings in the skin that release oil and sweat. Your pores can appear enlarged when you have oily skin, overproduction of sebum or acne.
- Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. What we call a spot or pimple is technically called acne. Acne can be further broken down into specific types depending on the way it presents itself. The different types of acne include:
- Blackheads (open comedones) form when dead skin cells mix with excess oil and debris in the lining of the pore and upon reaching the opening of the skin’s surface, it oxidizes and turns black.
- Whiteheads (closed comedones) are also clogged pores, but the head of the white bump is covered by a thin layer of the skin hence the contents are not exposed, are not oxidized and do not turn black.
- Papules (normal pimples) are small to medium sized, filled with excess oil and fluid and can be sore to the touch. These are typically the most manageable types of pimples to get rid of.
- Pustules happen when papules get worse; more fluid and oil is produced.
- Deep pimples (nodular acne) are the severe form of acne; large, hardened, angry looking lumps that typically must be managed with the help of a dermatologist.
I usually deal with papules i.e.the medium sized spots, filled with excess oil and fluid and can be sore to the touch. These are the simple steps I take after I discover there has been an onslaught of a cheeky spot. Be warned! My warfare strategy is double faceted. I attack in the morning and at night.
AM
Ensuring my hands are clean before I start, I cleanse my face with a gel facial wash – typically the Radiant Glow Botanical Facial Wash .
I apply the Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch on every single spot (thank God for social distancing and working from home, which makes using patches in the daytime possible).
OR
I apply a benzoyl peroxide treatment like Urban Skin Rx Clear Complexion Acne Serum & Spot Treatment on the spots.
I continue with my skincare routine on the un-patched or untreated parts of my face, neck and décolletage.
PM
Also ensuring my hands are clean before I start, I double cleanse – typically with the same gel facial wash but twice I use a salicylic acid toner (the purpose is to deeply cleanse and unclog my pores).
I patch or use spot treatment (as in the AM).
I continue with my skincare routine ensuring I don’t use Vitamin C or retinol so as not to cause irritation or ineffectiveness of active ingredients.
This routine typically works for me and helps ensure that the ‘spotty process’ is shortened. However, a few other things are necessary in my anti-acne warfare strategy. This is in the form of my habits. I have listed a few below with the relevant effort indicators (again my own experience here not a hard rule).
• Minimizing stress levels (hard)
• Drinking lots of water (easy)
• Having a healthy diet (hmmm)
• Changing pillowcases weekly (easy)
• Getting enough sleep (hard)
• Keeping your phone clean (easy)
When I do not actively combat those pesky spots and catch them early, it usually results in unpleasant reminders i.e. dark marks on my face after they are long gone. I do have a shelf full of products to help tackle this but that’s for another article.
Do let me know what works for you in attacking acne.
