Get enough rest and reduce your stress. Stress stimulates the adrenal gland and in the acne-prone individual, the adrenal gland promotes oil production which leads to clogged pores.
Stay away from foods, vitamin supplements and sports drinks/bars that contain iodides. Iodized salt, seafood, fish, seaweed, fast foods, dairy products and especially kelp tablets (as taken for thyroid support) are not good for acne. Contrary to popular opinion, chocolate and greasy foods (unless they contain salt, which most do) do not aggravate acne.
Stay away from “high androgen” foods. These are found in peanuts, peanut oil, peanut butter, corn oil, wheat germ, shellfish, organ meats (i.e. liver, sweetbreads and heart). These contain hormones that exacerbate acne.
Some swimming pool disinfectants contain iodides and chlorine, which can remain in the water, causing skin problems for frequent swimmers. Many swimmers find that the combination of hot and humid weather, the physical exercise of swimming and the chlorinated pools can cause major acne flare-ups.
Don’t pick. Instead of picking blemishes, rub ice on pustules and pimples for about five minutes, twice a day. Try to catch them when they are first forming and they most likely will go away. You can use Benzoyl Peroxide for this, but the surrounding tissue may get very dry.
Use fragrance-free detergents such as Cheer Free, All Free & Clear, Tide Free or Arm & Hammer Free.
Do not use fabric softeners and/or fabric softener sheets in the dryer, especially on pillowcases as they cause a waxy residue that can clog pores on acne-prone individuals. If you are worried about static cling, then use some anti-static cling balls.
Avoid low-estrogen birth control pills: Norplant, Provera, and Depo-Provera. Also progesterone hormone replacement Premarin can be problematic. If you have polycystic ovaries, they will cause hormonal changes and breakouts. Also, the taking of birth control pills may delay the onset of acne and once off them, you may experience the acne you would’ve had before taking them. For those who sign up for the Acne Bootcamp, The Studio provides a list of birth control is that is suitable for acne skin.
Do not use cosmetics OR hair products that contain pore-clogging ingredients. For example, Retin A has the pore-clogging ingredient, isopropyl myristate, as its first ingredient. The Studio provides a list of ingredients for those who decide to sign up for the Acne Bootcamp.
Limit sun exposure and use a sunscreen. Although sun exposure causes desirable scaling and drying, it also damages the follicle, exacerbates hyper pigmentation, causes skin cancer and premature aging and can cause “solar acne” later in life, as well as “Acne Majorca” also caused by sunlight. Warm climates with heat and humidity can exacerbate acne. Wear a noncomedogenic sunscreen every day regardless of whether you go outside or not. This is very important especially if you are using product for your acne!
Stay away from foods, vitamin supplements and sports drinks/bars that contain iodides. Iodized salt, seafood, fish, seaweed, fast foods, dairy products and especially kelp tablets (as taken for thyroid support) are not good for acne. Contrary to popular opinion, chocolate and greasy foods (unless they contain salt, which most do) do not aggravate acne.
Stay away from “high androgen” foods. These are found in peanuts, peanut oil, peanut butter, corn oil, wheat germ, shellfish, organ meats (i.e. liver, sweetbreads and heart). These contain hormones that exacerbate acne.
Some swimming pool disinfectants contain iodides and chlorine, which can remain in the water, causing skin problems for frequent swimmers. Many swimmers find that the combination of hot and humid weather, the physical exercise of swimming and the chlorinated pools can cause major acne flare-ups.
Don’t pick. Instead of picking blemishes, rub ice on pustules and pimples for about five minutes, twice a day. Try to catch them when they are first forming and they most likely will go away. You can use Benzoyl Peroxide for this, but the surrounding tissue may get very dry.
Use fragrance-free detergents such as Cheer Free, All Free & Clear, Tide Free or Arm & Hammer Free.
Do not use fabric softeners and/or fabric softener sheets in the dryer, especially on pillowcases as they cause a waxy residue that can clog pores on acne-prone individuals. If you are worried about static cling, then use some anti-static cling balls.
Avoid low-estrogen birth control pills: Norplant, Provera, and Depo-Provera. Also progesterone hormone replacement Premarin can be problematic. If you have polycystic ovaries, they will cause hormonal changes and breakouts. Also, the taking of birth control pills may delay the onset of acne and once off them, you may experience the acne you would’ve had before taking them. For those who sign up for the Acne Bootcamp, The Studio provides a list of birth control is that is suitable for acne skin.
Do not use cosmetics OR hair products that contain pore-clogging ingredients. For example, Retin A has the pore-clogging ingredient, isopropyl myristate, as its first ingredient. The Studio provides a list of ingredients for those who decide to sign up for the Acne Bootcamp.
Limit sun exposure and use a sunscreen. Although sun exposure causes desirable scaling and drying, it also damages the follicle, exacerbates hyper pigmentation, causes skin cancer and premature aging and can cause “solar acne” later in life, as well as “Acne Majorca” also caused by sunlight. Warm climates with heat and humidity can exacerbate acne. Wear a noncomedogenic sunscreen every day regardless of whether you go outside or not. This is very important especially if you are using product for your acne!