Acne and breakouts are some of the most common (and unwanted) changes on the skin and one of the main reasons people reach out to us at GLO. No need to mention how these breakouts make us feel when we have them. I have heard many times over the years “Why am I still getting breakouts as an adult?”. We understand the frustrations and the self conscious feelings that come with this skin concern, and we are here to help!

Here are my 10 fundamental rules to help fight acne. As every skin is different, it is important to note that the causes of breakouts can be different for each person too, however, these fundamental rules will give you a head start in helping to stay on top of them!

Every skin is individual and people get acne and breakouts for different reasons. When you visit a Skin Professional, we are able to understand what those reasons might be so as how we can help effectively treat and reduce the appearance of breakouts. Treatment options that are fantastic for breakouts are the use of chemical peels and I especially love LED light therapy.

This is your most important step in your home care routine. We secrete oil and toxins during the night so cleansing in the morning starts the day off with a clean, fresh skin. Cleansing at night is crucial and remember, it must be a double cleanse. Our first cleanse removes the dirt, grime and oil that has accumulated on our skin during the day and the second cleanse will effectively cleanse our skin. We recommend opting for an oil based cleanse first like PreCleanse and then using a target cleanser to your concerns for the second cleanse. Always remove your cleansers with lukewarm water and always follow with your targeted skin care products.

Easier said than done, I know! Somehow it's like our hands are a magnet when we have those breakouts appear. However picking and squeezing them can make it worse.

It can cause more inflammation and increase the severity of the scarring left behind. Opt for topical treatments to help reduce inflammation and speed up the healing of the breakouts. As soon as you notice or feel the breakouts appearing, we need to go in and target that spot asap! Check out our blog: Should I squeeze pimples? for more professional skin advice

I often hear people with oily skin say they don't use a moisturiser because they have oily skin. Moisturisers will help seal, protect and hydrate the skin and a great one for the oily and acne prone skins is the Oil Free Matte SPF30. On top of this, our skin needs extra hydration due to the factors around us that accelerate the loss of hydration- environment, lifestyle, stress etc. When our skin is dehydrated, our oil balance can be affected and in turn, produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. Dehydrated skin can then create dullness in the skin and promote more inflammation and redness.

Hydrated skin leaves your skin looking radiant and feeling supple and the Skin Hydrating Booster is a hero in my home care routine. Underneath our skin, hydration allows our cells to function at their very best and help flush out unwanted toxins leading to a healthy appearance and glow on the outside.

This rule was one of the most important Covid-19 protection measures, but in reality it should always be followed!

The transfer of dirt and bacteria can create some unwanted changes on the skin. Leaning our hands on our face when we sit at our desk working or studying is a common occurrence between us all. Also be careful of mobile phones touching our face which is also a culprit for the transfer of bacteria and dirt to the skin. So in a nutshell, as much as possible, avoid touching the face!

Our makeup should be a continuation of our skin care. It should help with coverage and protection without the clogging and congestion that can come from some make ups. Mineral makeup is becoming a widely popular choice because it allows the skin to continue 'breathing’ and doesn’t leave your skin feeling clogged nor gives you that ‘caked on’ feeling.

High sugar foods increase insulin in the body which in turns increase inflammation. Inflammation is a key factor in the formation of breakouts so explains why we see a spike in the appearance of breakouts after we have indulged our sweet tooth. Keep sweet treats as a ’treat’ and keep your body fuelled with fruits, vegetables, complex carbs and omega-3 rich foods.

One of the reasons people prone to breakouts don’t use SPF is because they are worried about getting more breakouts... and we hear you! Regardless of our skin and the concerns we are experiencing, we need to ensure our skin is well protected from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. UV can cause pigmentation to occur and make those post breakout marks even harder to treat.

Opt for a lightweight SPF. There are 2 options in the Dermalogica range which I love - The Oil Free Matte SPF 30 which is fabulous for the oily skins prone to breakouts and gives you a matte appearance during the day. As mentioned above this is lightweight and will give you an all-day matte finish too.

Invisible Physical Defense is the newest addition to the Dermalogica range and another fantastic option because its light-weight, sheer and blend easily with all skin tones.

If you are experiencing clogging, congestion and breakouts, scrubbing the skin with a harsh exfoliant could be doing more damage than good. With scrubs, we risk damaging the skin and causing inflammation.

I recommend opting for products that contain Salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps increase the skin's natural exfoliation process and helps to decongest blocked follicles too. Chemical forms of exfoliation (Retinol, AHA’s etc) dissolve and digest dead skin cells and help increase the cell turnover which encores healthy cells to the surface more quickly and efficiently.

If you need help understanding which exfoliant is best for you let us know! We'll be happy to provide you with a Complimentary Skin Advice Consultation.

These are two amazing ingredients that benefit the skin in multiple ways. Retinol has the power to help accelerate skin renewal and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and age spots for a firmer, smoother and more evenly-toned skin. Salicylic Acid helps to increase the skins natural exfoliation process and helps dissolve the debris that clogs pores and causes acne.

Put these two ingredients together and we have the ability to not only target the acne but help slow down the ageing and the NEW Retinol Clearing Oil by Dermalogica will do just this!