What helps against acne?
Almost everyone experiences it to a greater or lesser extent: acne or pimples. Some only suffer from it during their teenage years or during times of stress, for example. Others experience acne later in life (such as founder Angela, who suffered from acne until she was 45). It is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, almost everyone knows the problem.
But let's be honest: it's not nice to suffer from it, so in this blog we give a number of tips to answer the question: “ What helps against acne?” ”. Because there are different types of acne, in this blog we zoom in on pimples in general. For severe acne, we recommend asking extra help from a skin therapist or dermatologist.
Cause of acne
Acne often comes into play when the sebaceous glands in our face become overactive and our pores become clogged. Hormones, especially during that special time of the month, play a major role in this. What should we especially not do? Please don't try to squeeze! This can only worsen the situation and leave scars. Also avoid scrubs with coarse grains, as these can irritate your skin. We only recommend intense peels under the expertise of a beautician. If used incorrectly, this will cause pigment spots, dry spots or redness in the face in the long term.
Taking care of acne
What you should do: maintain a simple but thorough skin care routine with gentle cleansing. Cleanse your face regularly, but don't overdo it by scrubbing everything off. Once or twice a day is more than enough. Use mild cleansers (preferably not foaming) so as not to burden your skin too much. Your natural skin barrier has a protective function. You don't want to remove these, but if you do (and that happens with chemical cleaners without you even realizing it), you run a greater risk of infections.
Prevent acne
It is not without reason that it is said: “prevention is better than cure”. You can prevent acne with the following tips!
Healthy food against acne
What do you eat and drink? It has more impact than you think! Monitor your sugar intake and add healthy fats, vegetables and water to your diet. Try to minimize sugars (including any added sugar such as fructose or stevia). Alcohol can also really affect the skin, limit this if you want to work on your skin condition. Drink as much (purified) water and herbal tea as possible.
Humidity acne
Humidity is also part of the acne prevention picture. This applies in your own home, at work, but also outside the home. Both too dry and too humid air can contribute to acne. A humidifier can be a useful tool for this. Air that is too dry (anything below 40 percent) can cause physical complaints. A humidity level of between 40 and 60 percent is ideal for your skin and mucous membranes.
Cause of acne on chin
Jacket collars, scarves, a telephone on your ear, bed linen... these can all be sources of bacteria. Do you often have pimples on your jawline? Then ask yourself when your turtleneck, shawl or jacket was last washed. For example, we recommend changing your pillow at least once a week. We'll repeat it again just to be sure: make sure you don't scratch any spots or wounds, let your skin heal in the open air. This prevents the spread of bacteria.
Natural solution for acne
Which products should you use or not use if you suffer from acne? Synthetic or natural; (at Food for Skin everything is mild and natural) go for products that support your skin's natural microbiome. That's basically the small army of good bacteria on your skin. You don't want to scrub or peel it off. Choose products that support your skin's own functions and help strengthen your skin. Don't make it too easy for your skin by taking over everything from the skin with a 12-step routine. Strong skin is skin that can regulate itself well. Therefore, do not pamper your skin too much, because your skin can then become 'lazy'. You don't want that, because active skin ensures strong skin that is more resistant to viruses and less good bacteria.
We recommend the following Food for Skin products specifically for pimples: The Carrot Cleanser and the Cucumber Serum . Both products have a beautiful, healing, protective effect and reduce redness in the face.
Treating Bacne
Oh yes, let's also talk about something that is sometimes forgotten but is certainly no less annoying: bacne , or acne or pimples on the back . Here are some tips:
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After washing your hair, especially if you use conditioner, it is a good idea to wash your back again with a mild soap. Conditioner can remain on your skin and clog your pores, resulting in those unwanted bumps on your back. So, make sure you rinse well and don't leave any residue. A small effort with potentially big benefits!
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In any case, it is better to take a cold or lukewarm shower instead of hot. A hot shower can damage your natural protection, resulting in tight or stinging skin. If you prefer not to use body lotion all the time, it would be a good idea to take a colder shower. If the water contains a lot of lime, a descaling shower head is not an unnecessary luxury.
Acne products
It's tempting to believe that a comprehensive range of products is the key to perfect skin, but sometimes the opposite can be true, especially if you suffer from acne. An exaggerated skincare routine can throw your microbiome out of balance. It's like a delicate dance between your skin and the products you use. If you use too many and too aggressive products, it can disrupt the natural balance of good bacteria on your skin. This can actually result in an overproduction of sebum, because your skin thinks it has a deficiency. More specialized acne products do not always mean better for your skin.
Face scrub acne
Let us also consider overly intense scrubs, exfoliants and peels. Although they initially promise and deliver smooth skin, they can cause long-term damage. Deeper layers of your skin can become damaged. This can ultimately lead to pigment spots that you only see when you are in full sun. We therefore do not recommend frequent scrubbing of your face if you have acne . It doesn't hurt to do an occasional peeling at home, but choose a superficial mild version or ask a beautician for advice.
What to do about acne? Our conclusion
Our conclusion in what really helps with acne ? Remember that balance is key. A simple, thoughtful skin care routine can sometimes be more effective than a plethora of products. At Food for Skin we believe in a natural approach to reset your skincare. You only need 3 products for this!
Stay radiant, stay beautiful, and remember that it's never wrong to ask for help when it comes to your skin health. Together we work on strong, resilient skin!
