Dealing with Acne: Tips and Tricks to Master Part 1

Let's face it: acne sucks. I remember being in the 7th grade when I got my first pimple on picture day. That's right, picture day... I had no idea what was happening to me, and I clumsily tried to cover it up, which ended in an unfortunate 7th grade picture featuring blotchy, oily skin. Needless to say, it was bad. I remember my friends making curious inquiries about the spot on my face, also ignorant of the fact of life that is acne. I tried to overcompensate by wearing my hair down, wearing showy clothing, or just wearing too much makeup in hopes of diverting the eye. By the next year, I had somewhat mastered the art of makeup, but only as well as any 13 year old can. Over the next few years, thanks to lots of magazine articles and personal testimonies, I was led to every product and brand on the shelf; some worked, some didn't. Mostly, I just became more confused. Sometimes time is the best remedy for things like this, for after high school, I mostly outgrew the chronic acne that I had suffered with, but not without learning a good deal about facial skin care, inside and outside.
It's true when they say that what you eat will manifest itself on your face. One of my favorite snacks used to be ice cream, which for someone who is acne prone, this may be a facial disaster. I used to experiment with which foods would make me break out. I had a list of foods to avoid and foods to eat more of. Foods that helped me where nuts, dark leafy greens, and lots of water. At first glance, this sounds depressing, but there are loads of tasty options out there. Almonds and walnuts are perfect for infusing your skin with essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids (EFA's) are required by your body, but not manufactured by it. So it's important to give your skin what it needs. EFA's regulate cell function and may cause skin abnormalities if it's absent from your body. Most people take fish oil or cod liver oil capsules to give their body the needed amount of fatty acids. For me personally, my face changed drastically when I began to take cod liver oil capsules; it cleared up my skin's trouble spots, evened out my skin tone, and eliminated the chronic dryness I used to experience in the winter season. Fatty acids have also been cited as curing eczema as it provides moisture to the skin. I highly recommend adding this to your regimen if it isn't already.
Using oil based makeup and facial products can also inflame your skin. Look for oil free options and beware of the oil that is prevalent in fast food. Oil buildup on the skin is one of the main external causes of acne. In cleaning your face, look for gentle soaps/washes that specifically designate its uses for the facial skin. Do not use regular "soap" or hand and body soap. Look for products that are specific for the face. My personal favorites have been Cetaphil's Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin. Harsh soaps may claim to get rid of bacteria, but can often harm your skin or dry it out. Look for key ingredients when searching for facial products, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and resorcinol. These help kill bacteria, breakdown oils, and promote basic exfoliation. To make sure that what you're putting on your face isn't hazardous, check it with the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database at http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
I hope these simple tips have helped clarify your facial regimen and make you more knowledgeable about what's going in and on your skin. Below I've posted a few of my favorite homemade acne facial mask recipes. Enjoy!


Baking Soda Mask
Create a mask by adding a few drops of water to your baking soda to make a paste. Spread it over your face and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water and pat your skin dry with a clean face towel.

Olive Oil Mask- I have had great success using olive oil since it's an oil that doesn't clog your skin.
Start by using your fingertips to massage about 1-2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil into your skin. Massage face and neck in circular motions for about 2-3 minutes. Then, lightly steam your face for a few minutes, or you can lay a warm wash cloth over your face. Rinse with lukewarm water and finish with a cool water rinse.