Ultimate Guide to Blemish-Prone Skin: Causes + Prevention
Let’s be real. Blemishes, especially when it comes to your face, are kind of a bummer. In fact, they can be painful, and downright irritating. Plus, it seems like they always show up at the wrong time (I’m looking at you, proms and weddings). So, what can we do about them? First, it’s important to understand the causes of blemish-prone skin, and learn what you can do to prevent blemishes. By transforming your habits and adopting the best skincare, you’ll be ready to tackle those blemishes once and for all.
Do You Have Blemish-Prone Skin?
Blemishes are defined as imperfections on your skin, and can come in many different forms. According to Health Line, they can range from deep pimples, to blackheads and whiteheads. Blemishes can leave your skin feeling irritable and uncomfortable. Or, they may just bother you when you look in the mirror. Either way, we want to help you achieve a clearer complexion!
Causes of Blemish-Prone Skin
Have you ever wondered why your skin may be prone to blemishes? When it comes to white heads, blackheads, and various forms of pimples, there’s many culprits that could be making your skin breakout. From habits in your everyday routine, to your skincare products, find out what could be causing your blemishes.
1. Natural Skin Oils.
Sebaceous glands, found in the hair follicles, produce oil called sebum. This oil works to protect and hydrate your skin. And according to Health Line, everyone has this oil! However, during times like puberty or hormonal changes, the sebaceous glands may produce excess oil. When your skin is extra oily, pores may become plugged, resulting in blemishes.
2. Hormones.
When it comes to breakouts, some are caused by changes in your hormones. When someone has higher than normal levels of androgen, male sex hormones, they are more prone to breaking out. According to Emedi Health, females are likely to experience high levels of androgen during puberty and when menstruating.
3. Skincare Routine.
Don’t currently have a skincare routine? Or, do you sometimes forgo your nightly face wash because you’re *too tired*? Getting in the habit of a following a structured skincare routine will help you beat those blemishes. Wash your face every morning and evening - with a proper cleanser. Plus, find the additional steps that work best for your blemish-prone skin. These will likely include a light moisturizer, toner, exfoliator, and more!
4. Picking.
It might seem like popping is the quickest way to get rid of a zit. Unfortunately, that’s not usually the case. Picking at pimples is likely to result in a more infected blemish. This is because more bacteria is introduced to the blemish, and at a deeper level. These take much longer to heal, and may cause you excess pain and stress.
5. Hygiene.
According to Health Line, certain types of blemishes can be caused by a buildup of dirt, bacteria, or oil in the hair follicle. This means, it’s super important to keep everything that comes into contact with your face, clean. From phone screens to makeup brushes, take time to sanitize surfaces in your everyday routine.
6. Hair Care.
Especially if you have longer hair that touches your face, it’s important to make sure your hair care routine isn’t impacting your skin. Oils in your hair products may react poorly with your skin, causing breakouts. You can test this by keeping your hair pulled back, especially when you sleep, or by switching out your hair products with different ones.
How to Get Rid of Pimples & Blemishes
When it comes to cutting down on facial blemishes, prevention is key! By ensuring that you are using the proper skincare, eliminating blemish triggers, and properly caring for your skin, you’ll see the best results. On the other hand, treating existing blemishes can be a bit trickier.
1. Check for These Ingredients.
According to Health Line, there are three main ingredients you should seek out when looking to get rid of zits: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids. Salicylic acid works best for black heads and white heads. Its two main jobs are to reduce inflammation and unclog pores. Benzoyl peroxide is ideal for inflammatory acne, as it eliminates bacteria that causes acne. Retinoids remove dead skin cells through exfoliation, helpful for most blemishes.
2. Clean. Clean. Clean.
In order to help prevent blemishes, everything that comes in contact with your face should be clean. Whether it’s your phone or pillowcase, take time to wash or disinfect those items. When you introduce less bacteria and oil to your face, you’re working to reduce blemish-causers. This also means that hands should stay away from the face as much as possible!
3. Don’t Pick or Pop.
Perhaps one of the most difficult pieces of advice to follow is leaving your existing blemishes alone. If you pop a pimple, you risk pushing infected material further into your skin. That leaves a greater chance of a redder, more irritated bump in the short term. In the long term, popping could result in scarring. Instead, opt for this On-The-Go Blemish Stick! It uses glycolic acid, salicylic acid and menthol to remove excess oil and tighten pores. So, it'll work at healing blemishes right away.
4. Don’t Overwash.
When it comes to blemish-prone areas, it’s important to be gentle. This means, don’t wash your face more than twice a day. And, use a mild cleanser. When cleansers with harsh ingredients are used, it may make your face more susceptible to a breakout.
5. Rethink your Makeup Use.
Thick, heavy cosmetics can make your skin more blemish-prone. This is especially likely when you use oil-based makeup. According to WedMD, you should look for mineral-based makeup or cosmetics with ‘non comedogenic’ labels.
Skincare for Blemish-Prone Skin
When it comes to skincare for blemish-prone skin, it’s important to use products made specifically for your skin type. We’re here to share our favorite products with you, chosen especially for your skin type!
1. Best Moisturizer for Blemish-Prone Skin.
Even if you have blemish-prone skin, you still need to moisturize. Many people ignore moisturizers, as they believe it will trigger breakouts. However, every skin type needs hydration! Just make sure to choose a moisturizer that is meant for your skin. The Moisture Boost Cream is an amazing option for those who are prone to blemishes. It’s lightweight, with natural ingredients.
2. Best Blemish Remover.
If you’re looking to get rid of blemishes overnight, or at least reduce their appearance, try the Overnight Blemish Relief. This product contains salicylic acid, an ingredient that’s important for blemish-prone skin. According to Net Doctor, salicylic acid reduces the clumping of cells, so pores are less likely to be blocked. This works perfectly when you’re looking to clear existing blemishes!
3. Best Cleanser for Blemish-Prone Skin.
If you’re looking for brighter, cleaner, and clearer skin, this cleanser is for you. Made for daily use, this exfoliating cleanser removes daily build-up and residue. Plus, its ingredients work to calm and soothe the skin. So, if your skin is feeling red or inflamed, this cleanser will help. It’s also gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin!
Peppermint Exfoliating Cleanser
4. Best Toner for Blemish-Prone Skin.
Penny & Pine’s Exfoliating Toner is composed of salicylic acid, making it an amazing option for blemish-prone skin. According to Well + Good, salicylic acid breaks down skin cells and clears out debris deep in your pores. Because of this, it’s an amazing ingredient when it comes to treating blemish-prone skin! Also perfect for oily skin, this toner will result in a clearer and brighter complexion!
5. Best Face Mask for Blemish-Prone Skin
Looking to treat your skin to a face mask? This 20-Minute Rescue Mask uses zinc and sulfur to draw out impurities and remove excess oil. Perfect for blemish-prone (& oily) skin, this mask unplugs pores and brightens your complexion! Just use it twice a week, and your skin will love you.
Let's Chat!
We hope that our advice will help you achieve a more blemish-free complexion! If you try any of these techniques for getting rid of blemishes, we would love to hear your results. Whether you implement lifestyle changes or try out some new skincare products, reach out to us in the comments. Or, if you have any other recommendations for blemish-prone skin, please let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
Since we have to wear masks for work I’ve found that mineral inriched water wipes works great for wiping under my mask to keep me from breaking out so bad
needed this! thank u!
I’m guilty of not washing my makeup brushes often. How often is ideal?
i don’t get pimples, lucky me !!
great info, thanks
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