No Experience Required: A Beginner's Guide to Breakouts

WHAT CAUSES ACNE?

First of all, what caused this pimple? Our skin is dotted with tiny holes called pores, which are responsible for secreting oil or sebum that keeps our skin naturally hydrated. However, when our sebaceous glands become overloaded…due to factors including fluctuating hormone levels, stress, and menstruation– and produce excess sebum, our pores can become clogged with a combination of oil, dead skin cells, and other impurities. These blockages are responsible for blemishes ranging from whiteheads to cystic acne.

HOW TO BEAT BREAKOUTS

While your first impulse might be to pop, squeeze, or pick at your skin to get rid of a pimple, resist that urge...otherwise! The choice of your skin can make your pimple leave its calling card as a scar, which can persist for a long time. Instead, start a skin care routine that targets both the breakouts and the excess sebum that caused them.

When washing your face, choose a gentle, non-drying cleanser, such as Vichy Normaderm Cleansing Gel- Designed for acne prone skin. And, even if you're thinking of skipping it, always apply a non-greasy, non-comedogenic moisturizer. When the skin lacks moisture, the sebaceous glands can compensate by overproducing sebum. You will also want to find a spot treatment that common acne fighting ingredients for example, with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients work for gently exfoliate the skin to help unclog pores and reduce excess sebum.

If your acne is not responding to topical treatments, talk to your dermatologist about developing a plan to help manage your acne.