Q&A - Ask An Expert
My Acne
Answered Thursday 22 March 2012 |Share:
I have really bad acne and i dont know what to try, i have tried proactive and it only worked a little but it didnt really clear my face.
PLEASE HELP ME?
Answer
Hi Thomas, I totally understand your frustration.
Hopefully I can give you some advice to help you get your healthy skin back. As you have guessed, we go through many different hormonal cycles in our life and hormones can often result in breakouts and other conditions we can experience on our skin, particularly during our teenaged years. It is important that you get started on a simple and consistent routine at home, and I can give you some ideas on where to start. Any cleanser you use should be soap free as soap is alkaline and our skin is more acidic. Always look for a gentle, pH balanced cleanser to use in the morning and evening. Next you need to look at a good exfoliant to remove any dead cell build-up which could be leading to the blockages. If you do have any red, inflamed breakouts, avoid a grainy scrub. Instead look at an exfoliant with salicylic acid, which is great for gently clearing out any debris caught in the pore. You could also incorporate a clay masque twice a week to draw out any impurities from your skin or a treatment product to your areas of concern. Again look for a leave on product with salicylic acid, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Always wear a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser and sunscreen in the day. Thomas, please try not to pick and squeeze as this can lead to spreading bacteria, causing more breakouts and also possibly lead to scarring. You should also look at other products that you may be using. Many skin care products actually contain what are called ‘comedogenic ingredients’ that are known and proven to clog the pores, including ingredients like Mineral oil, Lanolin, S.D Alcohol, Artificial colours and Fragrances. Dermalogica makes a fantastic product line specifically for teenagers called Clean Start, which you may be interested in learning more about. Try visiting http://cleanstart.dermalogica.com/au. Lastly, make sure you are getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water and maintain healthy eating habits. I understand it can be difficult, but try not to stress too much about your skin, as it can be a vicious cycle that the more stressed we are the more breakouts we get! I hope this has given you some ideas and that with a little bit of extra research and effort, your skin will be healthy again soon. All the best, Emma
Emma Hobson
Skin Expert
