Whether you’re suffering from a stressful breakout or maskne, this blog post is for you. Regardless of the cause, there are a few huge no-nos when it comes to skincare while actively breaking out that many of us are unaware of or choose to ignore. Avoiding these could help to calm the breakout and prevent potential scarring. If you are breaking out uncontrollably or have cystic acne, seek prompt professional advice to minimise scarring.
Leave extraction to the professionals. Inappropriate technique or popping a pimple that is inflamed could cause further inflammation and cause the acne causing bacteria to spread if not done properly leading to a worsening in the breakout, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or worse, scaring!
Instead, use a clay mask to soothe and cleanse and let the mask gently decongest your pores. This will hasten the cycle of the pimple and the recovery time and reduce the chances of scarring. One of our best sellers, the OSEA Red Algae Mask, is an organic red clay mask that contains anti inflammatory ingredients that helps to soothe and calm the skin while absorbing excess sebum. Perfect for use as a mask or as a spot treatment.
Using a salicylic acid cleanser, followed by a scrub, then a glycolic acid toner and then an overnight brightening acid mask? You could be over exfoliating your skin which could be the cause of the breakout.
Regular exfoliation and BHAs help keep acne at bay, but by over exfoliating the skin, irritation and a compromised skin barrier would lead to inflammation and in some people this can trigger an acne outbreak. Keep exfoliation to twice a week and do not exfoliate inflamed skin with an active acne outbreak until the outbreak begins to calm down.
Instead, opt for lightweight soothing serums to work on reducing the inflammation and to prevent any irritation. Anti-acne products are often drying and it is important to ensure that your skin is sufficiently hydrated. The OSEA Hyaluronic Sea Serum is a concentrated fragrance free marine based hydrating serum that has excellent hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. Suitable for all skin types, oil free lightweight serums are particularly handy during outbreaks.
We have seen great results from lightening of scars to clearer skin by incorporating this item in our clients’ skincare routine. We do not recommend synthetic retinol may normally irritate the skin. The ones we have tried and strongly recommend are PAI ROSEHIP BIOREGENERATE Rosehip Seed & Fruit Universal Facial Oil, Naya Glow Cacay + A and The Organic Pharmacy Retinol Serum
Avobenzones, benzophenones, oxyphenones, methoxycinnamate and para-aminobenzoic acid, UV blockers found in chemical sunscreens, are all potential acne triggers. Instead opt for physical sunscreens that do not generate heat when deflecting UV rays, unlike chemical sunscreens which absorb heat causing a thermal reaction on the skin which can potentially exacerbate irritation. The PAI BRITISH SUMMER TIME Zinc & Cotton Extract SPF 30 Sensitive Sunscreen is a lightweight physical sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin. This makes it ideal for anyone with active outbreaks as skin that is actively breaking out is more prone to irritation.
