9 tips on how to get rid of acne FAST

Take it from someone who has become greatly accepting of their body after the body positivity movement, acne can still take a serious toll on your mood, self-confidence, and mental health.

Acne is the most common skin disease out there with over 80% of people in the world experiencing it at least once in their lifetime. Wow! That’s a large number of people, right? So why should a condition that almost everyone in the world experiences still be looked down upon? It does not define who you are, and you should not let it get to your head. All you need to do is to take preventive measures and control it before it becomes serious and requires medical attention. There are some simple ways of achieving this, which we will be covering below.

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin disease that surfaces when the sebaceous oil glands attached to hair follicles are internally or externally stimulated. Before you ask: no, acne is not just the small zit on your face. Acne constitutes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, lesions, and inflammations on your face, chest, back, and forearms.

What causes acne?

Acne is caused by excess oil/sebum production of the skin, clogged hair follicles, and/or bacteria or inflammation; but these conditions are usually triggered by different internal or environmental factors. It is important to remember that what might trigger acne for one person might not do so for another.

Some common factors include:

1. Hormonal changes:

Androgens, typically more active and fluctuating during the teenage years (in both girls and boys), are the primary source of acne. Rapid hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy can result in acne.

2. Medication:

Different allergens in medication may trigger an allergic acne response; but generally, it is triggered by drugs containing testosterone, lithium, and corticosteroids.

3. Improper hygiene:

Not having a consistent skincare routine can result in acne. The excess oil, sebum and dead skin cells that have accumulated must be removed through regular cleansing and exfoliation, to help prevent acne formation.

4. Diet:

You’ve probably heard this from your parents: Recent studies have shown that carbohydrate-rich foods, if consumed in excess, may trigger or worsen acne.

5. Stress:

Although not a direct contributor, stress does increase the level of cortisol in your body, which, in turn, can worsen any existing acne.

6. Family history:

Genetics play a role in acne. Chances are if one or both of your parents had cystic (severe) acne, then you might just develop it too.

7. Contact with contaminated surfaces:

Mobile phones, helmets, scarves, tight collars, backpacks, pillow covers, and towels are the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. The warm, moist conditions are likely to contribute to worsening acne.

8. Pollution:

The environment you live in - the air, water, and food you consume - can play a significant role in determining the overall health of your skin. Weather conditions (such as high humidity) also play a role in worsening acne.

What are the common symptoms of acne?

You could experience any or all of the following:

• Blackheads (an open comedone): open hair follicle/bumps filled with dead skin and oxidised sebum.
• Whiteheads (a closed comedone): closed follicles/bumps filled with dead skin, oil, and sebum.
• Pimples (zits): small red inflamed bumps.
• Pustules (inflamed bumps filled with pus): white bumps surrounded by red base rings.
• Nodules and cysts: severe acne that usually requires medical treatment.

So, what should you do?

Even though the two words “acne” and “teenage” pair together, acne, unfortunately, is not just a problem amongst teenagers. It follows you well into adulthood. In fact, a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 54% of women over 25 have acne!

Therefore, “the right products” may not be enough to make it disappear; additionally, you need to adopt “the right practises” that can prevent and minimise acne.

9 skincare tips for preventing acne

1. Change your pillowcases and bedsheets often
Your pillowcases, bed sheets, and quilts/blankets, etc. are layered with oil, dirt, and bacteria after just a few nights of use. It is recommended to change your pillowcase twice a week and bedsheets every 2-3 weeks.

2. Watch your sugar intake:

From decreasing tissue elasticity to causing skin acne and cancer, sugar is called the “white death” for good reason. Be sure to avoid sugary, baked goods, and fizzy drinks and reduce your overall sugar consumption for better skin. This is more of a lifestyle switch than a tip, but a change in habit can improve your overall health, including your skin’s!

3. Yes, there is a thing as too much skincare:

Excessively rubbing or scrubbing your face can do more harm than good. It strips your face of its natural oils and leaves you with flaky, dry skin. Scrubbing or exfoliating one to three times a week is more than enough for acne-free skin. Exfoliating more than this is an exaggeration and can irritate your skin. Remember to use gentle chemical exfoliants or peeling gels.

4. Say no to bangs and hair flicks:

Styling your hair up or down for the party? Hmm…well, whatever style you go with, keep your hair away from your face! Studies have shown that hair’s natural grease or the additional grease from hair products can irritate your skin and trigger acne. A neat and sleek hairstyle is the way to go!

5. Run to the shower after you run a mile:

Leaving sweat or excess sebum on your face and body by not showering/cleansing after an accumulation can seriously aggravate acne. Make sure you shower at least once and cleanse/wash your face twice a day. Also be sure to hit the shower within an hour after exercise, with a gentle body and face cleanser, of course!

6. Keeps your hands off your face:

The hair rule applies here as well. Our hands touch thousands of things during the day and so are packed with oil, dirt, grime, and what not. Every time you touch your face, you are literally transferring germs and other pore-clogging impurities from your hands to your vulnerable facial skin. Thus, wash your hands before applying anything and do not touch the skin unnecessarily. Beautiful things should not be touched often!

7. Control your pimple-popping temptations:

Ooh, this is a hard one. Popping a pimple spreads bacteria to other parts of your face, making them susceptible to infection and more pimples. Not to mention the scar that it will leave behind! Using pimple patches can help greatly with this, as they form a barrier over the pimple, which can help stop you picking at them.

8. Watch what you’re consuming:

Even though we’ve mentioned sugar as one dietary item to avoid, there are several other foods to control if you wish to reduce your acne. What they are depends on your individual skin type and your body’s unique chemical make-up. However, as a rule of thumb, it was recently concluded in a study that dairy and high-glycemic foods such as potato chips, white flour baked items, and fizzy drinks spike blood sugar levels and can cause acne.

9. Hydrate and moisturise:

As often emphasised by our grandmothers, you need to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day and moisturise your face after performing a skincare routine - or whenever your face feels dry. This piece of advice is not only limited to people with dry skin. It is important to hydrate your skin and protect its natural lipid barrier through moisturising, no matter your skin type is (yes, even if it is oily!). You need to be vigilant when buying a moisturiser. A non-comedogenic, fragrance-free moisturiser will not block your pores or irritate your skin, and thus it is recommended especially for people with oily or combination skin.

Parting Words:

Say it with us: acne does not make you ugly; it makes you human. By following the above tips and keeping up with your skincare regime, you will surely get your acne under control and watch your skin become more radiant, clear, and healthy. There is light at the end of this tunnel, folks!