5 Simple Tips for Treating Acne

Another acne breakout got you down? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. It affects more than 40 MILLION Americans every year and nearly 90% of all teens. Acne occurs when oil, dead skin cells and bacteria clog pores leading to blackheads, whiteheads and red pimple. Acne is caused by the effects of hormones on your skin. It is NOT caused by dirt, but regular cleansing can help prevent breakouts. Here are some easy tips to help treat acne. 

How to deal with zits

1. Choose a Gentle Acne Treatment

There are a lot of strong products on the market, so be cautious when choosing your acne treatments. When choosing an acne treatment, look for a leave on treatment that will help clear existing acne and prevent future breakouts. A gentle and effective ingredient to combat acne is salicylic acid and a natural acne-fighting essential oil is willow bark, which naturally contains salicylic acid (Clinical Advisor). We love the PREP Everyday Clear Acne leave on treatment as it contains 1% salicylic acid as well as willow bark, geranium, lavender, and chamomile oil, making it tough on acne, yet gentle on your skin. Always test the product on your wrist first to make sure you do not have any allergic reactions. You can then do a small test spot on your face. If there is no reaction or irritation, then you can use all over. You should never continue to use a product that leaves your skin with a burning sensation. Harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide can bleach your washcloths, clothes and even your skin, as well as strip your skin of its natural protective layer, making acne even worse in the long run (Livestrong). PREP Tip: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach your washcloths, clothes and even your skin, as well as strip your skin or its natural protective layer.

2. Establish a Regular Routine

Once you’ve chosen an acne treatment, make sure you use it daily. Repeating your skincare routine every day will help to clear your skin and keep it healthy. So once your acne has cleared up, keep using your products so you won’t have multiple breakouts. And depending on your skin type, you can use acne treatments multiple times per day. Remember when starting any new acne treatment, it’s best to start just once a day and gradually progress from there. INSERT ACNE GUIDE HERE

3. Don’t Pop, Squeeze or Pick Your Zits

While it might be tempting to pop, squeeze or pick at your pimples, don’t! Not only can this actually cause even more breakouts as we have nasty germs under our fingernails and these germs can lead to infection, but picking at your skin may also lead to acne scars (WebMD). When treating acne, your best bet is to choose an acne treatment that contains salicylic acid which is a proven acne medication. Our PREP Everyday Clear Acne Treatment is loaded with essential oils known to help decrease inflammation and the salicylic acid combats acne flare-ups. We’ve left out harsh chemicals like benzoyl peroxide and alcohol to reduce the likelihood of irritation. PREP Tip: If you have acne scars, pickup a tube of Mederma, which is known to soften, smooth and make scars less noticeable.

4. Wear Your Sunscreen

Anytime you are using an acne treatment, be sure to wear a natural sunscreen every day as your skin is more sensitive to the sun. Natural sunscreens will contain the active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Our favorite SPF 30 daily moisturizer is the PREP SPF 30 Face + Body Lotion, which uses zinc oxide keep your skin protected from the sun while naturally helping to fight acne.

5. Be Patient

We know that treating teen acne can be painful, but having a daily routine and being patient is key. It typically takes around 6 to 8 weeks to begin to see clearer skin, so don’t give up. You’re on your way to healthy, clear skin! And when you do start to notice that your acne treatment is working, don’t stop using it. Keep using the treatment as part of your normal routine to prevent future breakouts from happening. (WebMD)

The Beauty Scoop

These 5 easy tips for treating acne will help you to have clear, beautiful skin in no time. Remember to start by choosing gentle, natural products and maintain a healthy skin care routine every day. Consistency is key! Remember not to pop, squeeze or pick your zits and to use natural sunscreen as your skin will be more sensitive to the sun. You can and will have beautiful, healthy skin!