What To Do When You Get a Breakout

Breakouts really are like an unwanted house guest; they turn up at the most inconvenient time, overstay their welcome, and are a pain to get rid of.

Luckily, there are a few tricks you can have under your sleeve for dealing with them and preventing any more from forming. We’re here to tell you exactly how to do just that, and to banish that unwelcome pesky cluster of pimples once and for all!

1. Step away from the scrubs 

It’s a common misconception that scrubbing your skin will thoroughly clean your skin, and therefore prevent spots, but it can in fact do more harm than good. It can irritate your skin, causing it to flare up, can cause micro-tears in the epidermis, and can spread acne-causing bacteria across your face which will cause further breakouts.

2. Opt for a gentler, chemical exfoliant

Exfoliating is, however, important for all skin types. So, instead of a physical scrub, opt for a chemical exfoliant. They’re just as effective, but are much gentler and kinder to the skin. Salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) is best for most blemish prone skin types, as it sloughs away the oil and build up clogging your pores. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe the skin and reduce redness, making it a great skincare ingredient for angry skin.

3. Use gentle, nourishing products

However tempting it is to use a foaming cleanser that bubbles up and makes your skin feel squeaky clean, please don’t. They can strip your skin of its natural oils, and will give your skin even more reason to break out. If your blemish-prone skin also falls in to the oily skin type category, try to steer clear of alcohol denat/denatured alcohol in your skincare ingredients. It can be tempting to strip away your excess oiliness, but it will do nothing but strip and dry the skin, making it over-compensate for its oil loss by producing even more oil.

4. Keep moisturized

Clay masks can feel good in the short-term, but in the long-term, they’re doing no real good for your skin and are often too harsh for skin that’s breaking out (AKA tender and angry). Instead, after exfoliating, use an oil-free moisturizer formulated with acne-friendly ingredients such as niacinamide or aloe vera, and keep your skin properly moisturized.

So, are you guilty of any of these things when your skin throws a tantrum? Let us know in the comments below!

Jess Hall

Jess Hall

Jess Hall is a British beauty lover, who can often be found perusing makeup aisles in the search for the perfect peachy pink hues, or perfecting her latest makeup flat lay. When she’s not trialling the latest skincare releases, she enjoys sharing her latest findings, the newest beauty trends and knowledge with you!