Alana Mitchell, Licensed Esthetician, Day Spa Owner

Acne…Grrrrr. Most of us have spent tons of money, time and tears trying to achieve clear skin. What is Acne? Our glands produce something called sebum, which is oil. This oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria causing blockage in your pores. Inside of these blocked pores bacteria multiplies and leads to swelling, which causes pimples. Here are a few things you may be doing every day that could be causing your problem!

1 Using Makeup with the Wrong Makeup

Check your foundation and SPF to ensure it doesn’t contain artificial color, lanolin (sheep sebum=oil), mineral oil, petroleum, isopropyl myristate or artificial fragrance. FYI these aren’t all terrible ingredients, they just aren’t great for those with acne-prone skin.

Dermaquest Hydrating Toner

2 Over-drying your face
I’ll never forget watching a girl in my dorm restroom rub peroxide on her face to fight zits every night! Worst idea! Always be gentle with your skin; keep it hydrated. Drying out your skin will actually cause it to produce more oil. Use a cleanser, hydrating toner and/or a light, oil-free moisturizer.  Try Dermaquest Hydrating Mist Toner ($32).

3 Pressure (Literally)
When you are focused on something, can you control your hands? Lots of people subconsciously touch their face when they are thinking of something else. BREAK THIS HABIT!

4 Pressure (Figuratively)
The mind and the body are crazy. Stress wreaks all sorts of habits on your health. It causes the body to produce certain hormones and increases the levels of harmful toxins in the body that can aggravate acne.

5 Laundry Schedule
Poor hygiene can lead to other health problems, acne is one of them. So don’t forget to schedule your laundry. REGULARLY wash your pillowcases, shower towels and shirts!

Alexis Bledel's Crystal Clear Skin

6 Hair Products
Many people forget that hair products tend to leave residue on their faces. Think about their ingredients- are they high oil, silicones and plasticizers? If so, switch it up or wash your face AFTER you are finished with your hair routine.

7 Dirty Makeup Applicators
Don’t get lazy. Try to use a makeup sponge only once and clean your brushes every week with a brush cleanser or shampoo.

8 Your Diet
Studies show that there is no direct correlation between eating greasy foods and acne but I humbly disagree. A diet high in sugary, fried, and processed foods can definitely make acne worse by disrupting the body’s system.

9 Wearing the Wrong Fabrics
Fabrics like polyester and lycra don’t allow skin to breathe. Choose clothes with natural fibers like cotton and bamboo.

So, how’d you do? Hopefully a few daily changes will help lead you to the skin you’ve always dreamed of! Here’s to a clearer future!
From so many requests, I have developed a special page on my shopping cart site skincarebyalana.com with a special page set aside for mineral makeup products I love, click here to see it.
Hope this helps, click here to call or email me with questions!

Last updated by Alana Mitchell at May 28, 2013.