Red, angry blemishes can play havoc with our self-esteem particularly when they pop up at the most inconvenient of times.
Some of us suffer with spots more than others and this can be down to a number of lifestyle, dietary and hereditary reasons.
Just because you've turned your back on your teens doesn't mean you're in the clear, so even if you've been quite lucky post-puberty it's worth prepping your pores just in case.
We're all guilty of touching our faces too often, forgetting to take our make-up off, missing out on our eight glasses of water a day and squeezing rather than leaving, but there's plenty of tips and tricks out there to help you cope with those bad-timing breakouts and ultimately prevent spots altogether.
If spots are really starting to get under your skin then perhaps these handy tips will help you bypass the blackheads and say "au revoir" to acne.
Throw the towel in
Celebrity skincare guru Lee Garrett, says: "Wash your face twice a day to remove impurities, dead skin cells and extra oil from your skin’s surface but don't overdo it, too much can hurt inflamed skin and cause more irritation. Also remember to regularly chuck your towel into the laundry hamper as dirty towels spread bacteria."
Who knew washing powder could help zap those zits? The towel trick goes for your pillow cases too - make sure you flip them over every two days and wash your bed linen once a week.
Go green
When we eat and drink well our skin reaps the rewards, as dermatologist Stefanie Williams explains: "I recommend drinking lots of green and white tea, as they are rich in antioxidants, which have been shown to be great for skin and general health.
"Two thirds of your plate should always be vegetables. High vegetable intake is not only associated with decreased skin wrinkling and better skin quality, but also with reduced risks of cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases of ageing. They're also rich in fibre and antioxidants."
Shop for cotton
Retail therapy isn't something you'd usually associate with skin-clearing solutions but the skin on our face is the same skin that's everywhere else so it's worth shopping for soft fabrics.
Dr Johanna Ward, Medical Director of award-winning The Skin Clinic, swears by skin-caressing cotton: "A good tip for preventing acne flare-ups on difficult to treat areas such as the back in winter is to stick to breathable or cotton clothing. Heavy and synthetic clothing in winter can mean that the skin cannot breathe and dirt and oil can get trapped. Natural, breathable fabrics are best."
Get tech-savvy
When you've tried and tested every cream and gel treatment out there you might feel like exploring a different route. Why not invest in some smart technology to help prevent spots for good?
Try a product like no!no! which uses therapeutic pulses of light and heat technology to speed up the healing process of breakouts.
Blue light has also been used by dermatologists to treat acne for many years.
"There is little general awareness of the use of various wavelengths of light to effectively treat inflammatory acne," says Dr Stones, Dermatologist and Medical Director at Courthouse Clinics. "Blue and red light are both helpful as they specifically kill the acne bacteria via a photodynamic effect."
For an at-home solution to acne Lustre Pro is the latest blue light innovation from Ambicare Health. The device is a small, rechargeable product with slim, flexible pads that directly target problem areas with no pain or downtime.
Make it up with mineral
Dr Johanna Ward says: "I advise switching to a mineral foundation to help control breakouts. The base ingredients and pigments in foundations and concealers can sometimes block pores. Even oil-free make-up products still contain artificial colours which some acne clients can find problematic.
"The easiest way to avoid this is to look for ‘non-comedogenic’ on the packaging or choose a mineral based foundation. Be careful of some mineral brands as they can still contain lots of added ingredients; choose one that just contains pure minerals. PRIORI CoffeeBerry Perfecting Minerals are 100% natural and clinically proven to reduce redness.
What blemish banishing tips will you be trying? Tweet us @sofeminineuk!
This article is by Lareese Craig
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