How to Handle (and Prevent) Breakouts

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Studies show that adult acne affects around 15% of women in their 30s and 40s, and that number is increasing. If you experience frequent breakouts, it is frustrating and disheartening, but you are not alone. 

There are many different types of breakouts, acne, and pimples. But they are all often caused by overactive oil glands and bacteria blocking pores. Many experience acne on their back and chest, but facial breakouts are most common.

It can feel like you are trying everything to prevent and get rid of breakouts, but a lot of advice is out of date or plain wrong.

This guide covers everything you need to know on how to stop your skin from breaking out and how to get rid of acne quickly when it appears! Keep reading to learn more.

Know Your Skin Type

Let’s start with the basics. A lot of people either do not know their skin type or assume they have a different skin type because they are not using the right products. Using the wrong products is one way to cause breakouts!

These are the main skin types:

• Normal
• Dry
• Oily
• Combination (oily/normal)

There is a quick test you can do at home to determine your skin type. A dermatologist will be more accurate, but this test will give you a good idea.

First, remove make-up and wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Do not apply any other product. Wait an hour and run the back of your hand over your entire face.

If it feels smooth and soft, you likely have a normal skin type. If it feels dry but there are no flaky bits, your skin is likely to be normal but a little dehydrated. And if most of your face seems greasy, you may have an oily skin type.

Oily skin types are more likely to have breakouts, too.

Combination skin is more difficult to diagnose. If parts of your face feel fine but some parts seem oily (like your t-zone), then you may have combination skin.

Now you can buy the correct skincare products for your skin type which will help in discovering how to prevent breakouts.

Switch up Your Diet

Revamping your diet is easier said than done. But there are some parallels between what you eat and the condition of your skin. 

Check out Face Mapping to see if digestive concerns could be causing your breakouts.

Provided it is safe for you to do so, consider 30-day experiments cutting out certain food groups. Many people credit the Whole30 diet with clearing up their skin and vitamins D, C, E, and K are vital for good skin health.

And as you likely know, consuming alcohol and smoking causes breakouts. And the effects of hydration on the skin’s appearance are well-documented, so do not forget to carry a water bottle!

Experiment With Your Skincare Routine

If your breakouts are regular, you could see fast improvement if you switch up your skincare routine.

Everyone who experiences frequent breakouts should have the following in their skincare routine:

• Cleanser (double cleanse if you wear make-up)
• Exfoliator
• Moisturizer (with SPF for the daytime)

At night, use a nourishing and hydrating moisturizer. After you have nailed the basics, you can also add the following to your skincare routine if you want:

• Toner
• Eye cream
• Serum

Throw out anything with the word ‘scrub’ on it. Scrubs make your skin dry and cause your pores to generate more oil.

Add a new product to your skincare routine one at a time so you know what is working. And if you do not see a difference in your breakouts by the time you have used one tube or pot, do not buy it again!

Let the Experts Do Their Job

And by experts, we mean clay masks, skincare acids, and targeted spot treatments.

It is the holy trinity of banishing breakouts.

Use a clay-based mask at least once a week to soak up excess oil. And invest in concentrated tea tree oil to apply to spots as soon as they appear to zap them away.

There are many facial acids you can use to fight blemishes, so you may need to experiment. Salicylic acid (BHA) is popular, as is glycolic acid (AHA) and retinol. It is unlikely you will see a big difference in the appearance of your skin without a chemical exfoliator.

Make Time for Self-Care

There are lots of lifestyle factors that contribute to breakouts. These are some common reasons your skin might break out:

• Less than seven hours of sleep per night
• High levels of stress
• Too much sun exposure
• Wearing make-up every day

Getting enough sleep is the most important as you are prone to eating unhealthy food when you feel tired. And it is also a good idea to have make-up-free days to give your skin a break.

See a Professional

If you are sick of the guesswork, it is time to see a professional. There may be an underlying cause for your frequent breakouts that no amount of exfoliator can fix.

A dermatologist or GP may be able to prescribe you antibiotics or topical medication. You could also try over-the-counter acne treatments.

It is common knowledge you should never squeeze your spots when you can help it. But the hard truth is, some blackheads do need extracting. Resist the urge to do it yourself and book a session with a professional for an extraction session.

Love Your Skin No Matter What

Genetics, hormones, and high levels of pollution might mean you will always be prone to breakouts. Even multi-millionaire Kendall Jenner suffers from acne now and again!

Do not beat yourself up over not having perfect and clear skin. Experiencing breakouts does not mean you are dirty or you do not eat well. Learn to take the wins when you can. 

Say Bye to Breakouts and Hello to Clear Skin

There are so many factors in why and how breakouts occur. If you have suffered from acne, blackheads, and pimples for a while you have likely tried a range of treatments. It can become exhausting.

But do not give up! Everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin. And if you keep trying these tips, you will get there in the end.

Check out our huge range of cosmetics to help kickstart your new skincare routine.