There isn't an overnight acne cure. Trust me, if there was, I would let you in on all of my secrets.
Because acne takes time to develop, it also takes time to clear it, but there are some things you can do today to start the clearing process.
I like to keep the clearing process simple because there is so much out there regarding acne, and clearing your skin doesn't have to be complicated. So here are my favorite acne tips that you can implement today to start your clear skin journey:
#1 Stop Picking and Start Icing- take it from a professional pimple popper. I totally understand how satisfying it can be to pick or pop that pimple. When you pick at your skin, you're actually causing more harm to your skin. I recommend stepping away from the mirror, getting an ice cube, and rub it on your breakout in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes.
Pro tip: When you're done icing, apply Sulfur Spot Treatment. This will help soothe and speed up the healing process. You can purchase that here.
#2 Change Your Pillowcase- Our pillowcases hold on to a lot of sweat, dirt, and debris. So when you're going to sleep with. a freshly cleansed face and putting it on your dirty pillowcase, it defeats the purpose. I recommend changing your pillowcase nightly.
Pro tip: layer your pillow with 3-5 pillowcases so you can easily change the out each night.
Here are my all-time favorite pillowcases.
#3 Cut Back on Salty Snacks- Salty snacks can be a sneaky acne culprit. Not only are most salty snacks processed with other ingredients not so good for you, but they also contain large amounts of iodized salt. Opt for sea salt or Himalayan salt. Iodized salt can irritate your oil production and make your breakouts worse.
#4 Skip Peanut Butter- Reach for almond or another nut butter instead. This includes breakfast bars and PB Fit powder. Peanuts and peanut butter can also be another sneaky acne trigger.
#5 Avoid Dairy- I usually find that my clients have a hard time giving up Dairy, but once they do, their skin clears drastically. Once you stop consuming Dairy, it can take up to 90 days before you notice a change in your skin.
#6 Drink Your Water- Hydrated skin is healthy skin. When it comes to keeping your skin hydrated, it's an inside and outside job. Hydrated skin also heals faster, but remember drinking water alone will not clear your skin. Your skin care products and treatments should also be hydrating your skin. I love this water bottle!
#7 Reduce Your Stress- Stress and hormones are two of acne's biggest triggers. Not only because it's all connected, but when you're under a lot of stress, your body produces more cortisol (the stress hormone) which leads to an increase in inflammation in your body and oil production in your skin which turns into the formation of breakouts. So I recommended seeking professional counseling, trying yoga, meditation, and more self-care. Whatever stress relief looks like for you. And remember, try not to stress about being stressed.