Battling With Acne !

When I was asked to write a skincare article for this blog, I was excited to share the little I’ve learned dealing with acne-prone skin ( Well! It’s Because I know I am not alone) so I’m here to share my experience  

  Disclaimer I’m not a skin specialist, I’m simply sharing from my personal experience.

It’s probably best if you start by knowing what exactly you’re dealing with;

Please check out the post “What You Would Like To Know About Acne”

With that done let’s move on to a few utterly simple steps that have helped me with my journey and can help as well with yours in mastering your acne

Tip no.1 Do not pop the pimples

YESSS, it’s THE number one. It’s best not to pop a pimple, no matter how hypnotizing that might be. Here’s why:

When you pop a pimple, you push some of the contents inside the pimple deeper into the skin which increases inflammation, this increases the risk for scarring and infection, which is worse than a temporarily visible skin blemish. Popping the pimples also ends up leading to more noticeable acne since the pimple usually returns “angrier”.

Tip no.2 Dealing with makeup. 

As a lover of makeup, this was a difficult one to deal with. It’s advisable not to wear makeup on the affected area until the blemish or breakout goes away. This is because certain ingredients in makeup can further clog your pores, which can lead to a worsening of any inflammation as well as lengthen the duration of a breakout. However, not all hope is lost! (Besides no one should ever be denied makeup) here are just a few tips

• Look for products that say “hypoallergenic,” “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” as they tend to work better on such skin. 

• Removing makeup and cleansing your skin thoroughly before bed is a must.

• Make sure you always keep your brushes and makeup sponges clean. 

• And finally let’s not forget to look out for the quality of makeup that we are applying.

Tip no.3 Protect your skin 

SUNSCREEN!!If only I can find a way to SCREAM this enough!! Most of the acne treatments and products we use contain certain components that will make your skin more prone to sunburn. Hence the need to protect it. However, even after acne treatment, you are encouraged to wear sunscreen to control hyperpigmentation and continue protecting your skin from the brutal sun rays. Ohh yes, sunscreen is a must. 

Tip no.4 Be gentle with your skin

When you’re waking up to an acne-filled face every day, it’s easy to lose your patience and opt for harsher methods and products, hoping that they’ll do away with the acne faster (been there done that ). However, using very abrasive soaps/ scrubs or even a rough cloth is going to make your skin more sensitive which will make it more prone to infections. Products containing alcohol or other harsh ingredients are going to dry out your skin, and in response your skin will create more sebum to compensate for the moisture, leading to more acne issues. Simply keep your skin moisturized (oil-free moisturizer) and try out an exfoliating toner instead of a scrub. Friends let’s avoid that washing bar soap. (You know the one I’m talking about).

Tip No.7 Patience 

As a follow-up to tip no.4, if you’re battling acne (because it’s a battle) While the steps are simple this is just the difficult one. Take it from someone who has tried a lot of internet overnight remedies. Absolutely nothing is changing overnight. You need to be patient and consistent with your acne treatment to see widespread improvement. This will also help you avoid using too many acne products at once which can have adverse effects. Consistency is key. 

Tip no.5 Hydration

You need to drink plenty of water when you’re dealing with acne, this will promote hydration. Dry skin can trigger excess oil production, which could contribute to acne. Several studies have found that upping your water intake keeps your skin soft and smooth when used alongside a moisturizer and other skincare products. Another review of six studies concluded that increasing fluid intake enhanced the hydration of the outer layer of the skin while reducing skin dryness and roughness. Studies show that it may also play a central role in the health of your skin microbiome, which means microorganisms that reside on the skin and are involved in regulating skin health 

Promotes natural detoxification. Water is also essential to proper detoxification, as it helps carry nutrients through your body, flush out toxins, and keep your liver and kidneys working efficiently. 

Tip no.6 What you’re eating 

I know many people will say that they eat anything and everything and they have perfect skin, however, when you have acne-prone skin this is a luxury you can’t afford. Foods high in refined sugars or carbohydrates, such as bread, mandazi, chapati, chips, etc., and dairy products have been known to contribute to the increase in acne by increasing inflammation. Observe your skin with your diet and see if your breakouts can be linked to certain foodstuffs. I’d advise more fruits and vegetable portions, your skin will thank you for it.

Tip no.7 Seek professional help 

If you’ve tried self-care acne treatment and there is no improvement, please seek professional help. There are a couple of reputable skin specialists in Kampala, Wakiso, Mbarara, and other parts of the country. In some cases, expert treatment may be the only way to fully control your acne.

I tried a couple of products, some homemade concoctions here and there, some made the acne worse, others helped for a couple of weeks (or so it seemed), but no long-term solution. And a lot of money was spent experimenting. So, seek professional help. Early treatment can help to prevent scars and prevent acne from worsening. Some people need to continue treating their skin for a while to prevent breakouts and a skin specialist is in a position to advise accordingly.

Tip no.8 What are you buying 

Always look out for the key ingredients of your skincare products before you purchase, and find out what exactly they are

Well it has never been a one-step journey to understanding or dealing with acne to some it even goes beyond struggling with what we see to that which we can not

Just a daily reminder: You’re Beautiful