• No Picking or Squeezing!

Instead, apply a gel ice pack on red, inflamed breakouts for 2-3 minutes, twice a day. This will bring down the inflammation and help spots heal up much more quickly! 

**IMPORTANT – If you pick, squeeze, and break the skin, that scab will leave a red mark that will be there for months making your skin look WAY worse than if you left it alone. Furthermore, the scab will now act as a barrier to the pore, preventing the products from penetrating the skin and working their magic!   It is so important to avoid picking as this interrupts the body's natural healing process and can prevent the pore from healing properly.  It will also spread bacteria, and cause new breakouts in that area in the future.  It can be tough, but resist the urge to open or pick any breakouts because picking will prevent you from getting clear.

 

• Use Non-Pore Clogging Laundry Detergent

Use your pore-clogging ingredient list to check the ingredients label on your laundry detergent. Even eco-friendly brands (such as Boulder Organics and Seventh Generation) or fragrance-free options (All Free & Clear) contain pore-cloggers and are not acne-safe!

Examples of laundry detergents that will not aggravate acne are Tide Free & Clear or ECOS liquid detergents. If you find other options, your coach can always help you double-check.

 

• No Liquid Foundation or Pore Clogging Make-up

All liquid make-up (foundation or concealer) is inherently pore-clogging and will contribute to new breakouts. There are non-liquid make-ups on the market that provide excellent coverage. You will always want to opt for a cream or powder-based product and double-check it against your pore-clogging ingredient list.

Recommendations:

• Glo Skin Beauty
• Pressed Powder with the Glo
• Oil Free Camouflage Concealer
• Priia Concealer

 

• No Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets

Do not use this in the washer and/or the dryer for clothes or beddings that will be exposed to areas of the body that break out. The waxy residue gets on your pillowcases, towels, washcloths, and sheets that have direct contact with the skin. It will clog pores in acne-prone individuals.

If you would like something to stop static cling in your dryer, you can get wool dryer balls at Bed

Bath and Beyond or Amazon. For added scent, use Lavender essential oil.

 

• No Water Softeners

There is some evidence that water softeners can lead to acne, especially those containing high amounts of potassium chloride.

 

• Sun Exposure and Acne.

Sunscreen can be one of the worst topical acne aggravators! You will be using a non-pore clogging sunscreen every day, not just to protect your skin from the sun, but to keep your skin hydrated during the day and to help the hyperpigmentation from previous breakouts to fade.  This is an absolute must when using active topicals, to hydrate and protect your skin!

 

• Traveling

Travel frequently? To reduce flare-ups when not at home, take your own pillowcase and bath towels. And don’t forget your skincare products!

Pro Tip: Tape the lid of your products to prevent spillage during travel, and pre-saturate cotton pads with toner to bring one less bottle!

 

• No “Lo” Dose Birth Control Pills

Avoid low estrogen birth control pills. “Lo” dose pills can contribute to higher levels of androgen hormones that can make acne-prone skin worse.

 

• Other Birth Control and Hormone Replacement

Norplant, Provera, and Depo-Provera shots, IUDs, and Nuvo Rings can contribute to breakouts. Progesterone hormone replacement (Premarin) can be problematic. PCOS is often associated with elevated androgen levels and thus correlated with acne. However, you can talk with your Clear Skin Coach about hormonal support with herbal supplements if applicable.

 

• For Swimmers

Swimming pool disinfectants contain Iodides and Chlorine, which can remain in the water. 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.

 

• Moist Heat

Avoid saunas, hot yoga, and hot tubs as heat and moisture cause bacteria to get trapped inside the pores and trigger breakouts to the surface.

 

• Sports and Weightlifting 

Frequent heavy weightlifting can affect hormone levels.  If this applies to you, discuss your options with your coach.  Be sure to cleanse skin as soon as possible following activities that cause you to sweat.  Keep sports equipment that touches your skin clean using Isopropyl Alcohol after each use. Avoid sports drinks or powders with B12, whey, or soy ingredients.

 

• Moving

Moving and other big life changes can absolutely have an effect on your skin as well.  Stress affects your hormones and we typically see hormonally triggered breakouts in the chin and jawline area.  Climate changes can also cause a flare-up with your skin. Your Adrenal Formula and Omega 3 will help with this.