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With acne-prone skin, you wanted clear skin like yesterday. And you certainly don’t want to worry about whether or not your skin is going to look good or not for an upcoming special day.
When many people look to rid their skin of acne, a topical wash, cream or spot treatment is usually the first thing they reach for. And even though emergency tips to quickly get rid of those breakouts always come in handy, we like to pose the question, “why work to fix a problem when you can take measures to avoid it all together?” (This is what our AcnEase users get the benefit of doing actually.)
Acne is attributed to a hormonal imbalance, which can affect the function of the sebaceous glands, whose job it is to create sebum, or oil, which travels along the pore to hydrate and protect the skin on the surface. When too much sebum becomes clogged within a pore and pairs with dead skin cells from the surface, bacteria forms, triggering an inflammatory response from the body. The result of that response usually appears as red, swollen bumps known as pimples, a symptom of acne. It’s important to understand that acne starts forming long before we witness a pimple on the surface of our skin, which is why treating the problem internally and externally is our best bet at achieving real results (again, hats off to you AcnEase users!). When preparing for a big event, the idea is to spread your external skincare regimen out over the course of a couple weeks so as not to bombard the complexion with harsh treatments, which could possibly lead to irritation or even more breakouts. Like most things, even skincare is better in moderation, and so here are some of our top tips to get your skin in great shape for Valentine’s Day.
Today: Set yourself up for success. This doesn't have to be a major overhaul of every detail, but doing your part in eliminating the risk of harmful bacteria forming in those pores requires a clean surface, and we’re not talking about skin! Makeup brushes and sponges can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and those dead skin cells that contribute to clogged pores can easily collect on pillow cases, towels, and scarves. Give any items that come in contact with your skin a wash, and continue with the twice-daily washing and moisturizing routine that works for you.
One Week Before: Exfoliate. The overproduction of sebum is partially to blame for breakouts, but what’s the other? Dry, flaky skin. By treating the surface of your skin to a nice, deep exfoliation, you can rid your complexion of pore-clogging skin cells while simultaneously stimulating blood circulation, which can help rid the body of harmful toxins. Whether you choose to implement an exfoliating scrub, a less-harsh cream, or a clay mask is up to you (here are some of our acne exfoliating favorites). To make the most out of your pore-extracting treatment, treat yourself to a healthy steam to really open up those pores.
Four Days Before: Moisturize. Many people might assume that in order to get the freshest-looking complexion that they should deep clean right before the big event, but over-exfoliation can actually result in inflammation if bacteria gets pulled up to the surface. Since you’re still a few days away from the big night, you do have time to indulge in a moisturizing mask, or even a full-on DIY spa day to help you relax and get into the spirit of the season. Don’t forget to cleanse and hydrate daily and remove that makeup at night.
The Day/Night of: Hydrate. Here we are, the day you’ve been working toward! At this point all that we recommend you do is take it easy, stay hydrated with water and indulge with a nice misting of hydrating chamomile toner, and get ready to enjoy yourself. If you have a breakout in need of hiding, you can always reach for the brushes and sponges to camouflage those pesky pimples. There are also some emergency tips for those last minute zits that can come in super helpful too.
While treating the surface of the skin plays a big part in keeping acne symptoms at bay, the most effective approach to keeping oil production in check is by addressing the problem at its source - the sebaceous glands, and AcnEase does just that, no matter how mild or severe the symptoms. Using safe and effective herbal ingredients, AcnEase works to create a buffer between the hormones and sebaceous glands, ensuring that only the amount of oil needed to properly hydrate the skin is produced - no more, no less. The best part? It does the work for you, so if you don’t have time to indulge in a DIY treatment every week, you can rest assured that the condition of your acne is being treated regardless. Think prevention so you don’t have to continue this endless cycle!