I’m always on the hunt for the best skin treatment for acne. Every time I have a breakout it always seems to be right in the middle of my face, and I need it gone immediately. If you’re looking for acne treatments, to get rid of stubborn breakouts fast, I’ve got you!
Oh Acne! the universal skin concern affecting women across the planet. As if moms don’t have enough to worry about… In comes BREAKOUTS. It feels like a never ending cycle- When you’re stressed, you have a breakout which stresses you more, which makes the breakout worse. Like, c’mon! As a mom, I know how easy it is to prioritize the well-being of our families above our own needs. I can’t say this enough, but It’s so important to remember that self-care is not selfish! Taking care of ourselves is necessary to our overall health and happiness. In this post we’re talking effective skin treatment for acne! From spot treatments, and creams to homemade remedies, we’ll go over all the best ways to treat acne- quickly!
This Post is All About Skin Treatment for Acne
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Best Ingredients For Acne Prone Skin
Before we start, I want to mention- it’s important to make sure you’re choosing the right ingredients to make sure for acne routine is going to be effective. If you’re dealing with stubborn breakouts, it’s important that the products you’re using have ingredients that are going to actually help you. Whether in the form of a cream, serum or a cleanser, these are the ingredients you want to look for when dealing with acne and breakouts:
- Niacinamide.
- Glycolic Acid.
- Salicylic Acid.
- Centella Asiatica (Cica).
- Tea Tree Oil
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Zinc Oxide.
There’s a lot more, but these are great place to start.
Manual Extractions
When you’re attempting an extraction, you want to make sure your face and hands are clean from any dirt or bacteria. It’s best to steam your face before attempting any type of squeezing or extractions. I’ve been using this one from Vanity Planet for years. Once you extract the whitehead, you want to continue to apply even pressure (without using your nails) and continue to press until you see blood. Once you’re seeing blood, you know that everything is out. Immediately after you want to apply a gentle antiseptic toner, like azulene, or aloe.
If the whitehead is NOT popping, do not continue to try and pop it! LEAVE IT ALONE! You will do way more damage then good, and end up with acne scarring. Instead it’s better to keep it clean and let it run it’s course. You can also use a high frequency wand to help it surface.
Best Acne Devices
Hight Frequency
High frequency machines are great for helping stubborn blemishes stuck under the skin’s surface. High frequency works by sending out gentle electrical currents that stimulates circulation, oxygenates the skin, and promotes lymphatic drainage. This process basically helps to eliminate toxins and bacteria. Using a High frequency skin treatment helps to accelerate the healing process, and helps the trapped blemish come up to the surface, making it easier to extract.
LED Light Therapy
LED Light therapy is also great for calming acne and inflammation. It works by using specific wavelengths of light to target acne. Blue light works best for killing acne-causing bacteria, reducing inflammation and preventing future breakouts. Red light therapy helps to reduce oil production and inflammation. This LED light mask is great, because it gives so many different LED options, like purple- which gives off both blue and red light at the same time.
Best Topical Creams & Spot Treatments
Topical creams and topical steroids can be really effective clinical strength options. If you are dealing with chronic acne, It’s best to see a dermatologist and have them recommend a specific medicated cream. For occasional breakouts, drugstores have come a long way with affordable alternatives that give great results. These are the ones that have worked for me.
Zinc Cream
Zinc has a lot of anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces the redness and swelling. I love using this cream as a spot treatment, my breakouts are practically gone after a day.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide helps to kill certain acne causing bacteria on the skin. By reducing the amount of acne-causing bacteria, you prevent new breakouts from forming. It also helps to unclog your pores and remove dead skin cells and excess oil.
Pimple Patches
These aren’t technically a cream, but these things are actual magic. They are a great spot treatment for white heads, and pustules. Just stick one on before you go to sleep and when you wake up the breakout is basically gone. Sometimes it takes another night or so, but they usually work really quickly. This pack comes with a ton of patches too, so it will last you.
Homemade Remedies
I LOVE a good DIY homemade mask. My kids love helping me mix the ingredients, so we’re basically multi-tasking. Mom math right? There are tons of ingredients that are known for treating oily skin and acne. My favorites are oatmeal, tea tree, and honey. They are great for helping to clear up blemishes and help to soothe the skin.
DIY Oatmeal Face Mask
Mix finely ground oatmeal (you can grab anything from your grocery store) with water or honey to create a soothing mask. Oatmeal has a bunch of anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm irritated skin, making it perfect for sensitive or dry skin types. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, and rise with warm water.
Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment:
Tea Tree Oil is, SO SO good for reducing breakouts. It has so many antibacterial properties. All you need to do is dilute a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil and apply it to affected areas. This I will leave on overnight. It takes a little longer than other treatments, but if you’re looking for an all natural spot treatment, this is my go to.
Honey and Cinnamon Mask:
Mix equal parts honey and cinnamon to create a paste. Apply it to clean skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off. Honey has antimicrobial properties, while cinnamon can help reduce inflammation and redness.
Apple Cider Vinegar Toner:
Dilute apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:3 ratio and use it as a toner after cleansing. Apple cider vinegar can help balance the skin’s pH levels and control excess oil production.
Maintenance Tips
- Hydrate: I know you probably hear this all the time, but water is your best friend! Making sure you’re drinking plenty of water is so important to keeping your skin hydrated. Along with keeping your body hydrated, it’s important to moisturize regularly with a non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated without clogging pores.
- Gentle Exfoliation: Incorporate a gentle exfoliant into your skincare routine to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. Personally, I like chemical exfoliants the best. I love this one from Paula’s Choice.
- Gentle Cleansing: Avoid harsh scrubbing or abrasive cleansers. I find that cleansers with beads can irritate your skin even more and exacerbate pustules.
- Time-Out for Self-Care: Remember to carve out time for yourself! Believe me, I know being a mom is full time job. As we already know, stress causes breakouts. Taking some time for yourself, whether it’s taking a relaxing bath, or locking the door and scrolling TikTok for 20 minutes (no judgement) you need to do something for you, that makes you feel good! Your family and your skin will thank you in the long run.
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This Post is All About Skin Treatment For Acne