8 ways to beat blemished skin

Blemishes can throw your complexion right off. Spots, irritations, discolouration and blotchiness can seemingly come out of nowhere and cause havoc to your skincare regime. So what’s the best way to avoid blemished skin? Follow these tips (courtesy of Foreo) to get on top of the pimply peril!

1. Exercise

Get your blood flowing – not just for your overall health and fitness, but also to bring blood to the capillaries under your facial skin. Sweating from your pores also pushes out excess sebum (oil) that has built up and caused irritation or acne. After you have freshly exercised, your complexion may look a bit redder than usual, but it leaves your facial skin with a reinvigorated supply of oxygenated blood that gives you a younger-looking, healthy glow.

2. Take a long, hot shower

Wash off any salty sweat you’ve built up during your workout and give your skin a breather – the steam from the shower helps open your pores. Give the steam 4 to 5 minutes to work its magic, then move on to washing your face. Your cleanser will be more effective at clearing out any bacteria or excess oil in your pores if the steam has had time to open up your pores.

3. Steam your face

If you don’t have time for a full body shower or simply want to get more face time with the steam, boil some water and then pour it into a bowl. Cover your head and shoulders with a clean towel and huddle under the towel with your face soaking up the steam rising from the bowl. It’s the closest you can get to sauna without paying for a trip to the spa!

Whether you shower or steam or both, be sure not to turn the water temperature TOO hot – you could irritate your skin or even burn yourself so be careful!

4. Don’t pop your pimples

Not all pimples are made equal – if you’re dealing with a blackhead, consult our ultimate guide to getting rid of them. Run-of-the-mill zits and whiteheads are different, and should be dealt with accordingly.

While it may be tempting to pop that zit, it can create more trouble than it’s worth. Besides introducing more bacteria into your skin, you run the risk of damaging your skin or even creating acne scars.

5. Eat a skin-healthy dinner

An acne-fighting diet is a healthy diet, so the scientifically-backed practical advice will not surprise you: Eat a wholesome dinner full of fresh or lightly steamed vegetables – make sure you’re getting 5 to 7 servings of vegetables a day! Avoid too much sugar, including both those found in sweets, processed foods and complex carbs like bread. Ideally, you can cook for yourself at home to ensure that food preparation doesn’t use too much oil. Finally, avoid dairy – the science is not conclusive yet but several studies have linked consumption of dairy with acne flare-ups.

6. Drink water, not alcohol

Keep your body – including its largest organ, your skin – well hydrated and functioning optimally by frequently drinking water, especially rehydrating after a workout. If you fail to hydrate properly, you don’t just end up thirsty – you end up with dry skin, too! And guess what: dry skin can also lead to breakouts. Avoid alcohol – not only will it dehydrate you further, contributing to any acne problem you’re struggling with, but moreover it will have an extremely negative impact on the quality of sleep you need to give your skin time to recover and wake up refreshed.

7. Plan for a full night’s sleep

Aim for 8 hours but to be sure, leave a big window for relaxing before bed so that you can you fall asleep on time. A couple hours before bed, put away all screens, including your television, computer, tablet and phone. Instead, listen to some relaxing music, curl up with a good book or try some mindful meditation. If you want some extra help calming down before bed, try a nighttime tea like chamomile or a natural supplement like melatonin.

8. Use a blemish-beating skincare product

Babor Skinovage PX Pure Purifying Anti-Aging Lotion is a light, oil-free, 24 hr lotion for skin experiencing blemishes and first signs of ageing, with clarifying extracts to reduce impurities and continual 24-hour hydration. This cream has a light consistency and can be used as a 24hr cream or as a day cream in combination with Purifying Anti-Aging Cream. Your skin becomes even, spot-free and more youthful.

Active ingredients:

• Osmo-Tec – Restores skin’s osmotic balance to improve cells’ ability to receive and process active ingredients.
• Alpine Stem Cells – Stimulate and accelerate production of optimally healthy cells.
• Horsetail Extract, Farnesol – Calm and clarify.
• Vitamin E – Antioxidant; Heals and prevents free radical damage.
• Macadamia Nut Oil, Jojoba Oil – Nourish and condition.