Skincare - How to deal with breakouts

As much as I love rambling about new fancy lipsticks and other beauty goodies, I've decided to go for a less exciting subject that we unfortunately all know too well; breakouts. Now, I'm not going to put you through the boring (but necessary)  "basic skincare lesson" as I've already done it here, but let me tell you that if you follow religiously those rules, it helps a lot at minimizing breakouts. So don't forget to remove your make-up, cleanse your skin properly, apply the right products, drink enough water and get some sleep. I'm stopping now, I promise. Of course it isn't that simple - not only is there tons of reasons for suffering of breakouts, but there also is many spot types. Problem is, getting into all of those details would take me hours and make that post last forever. You couldn't handle it and neither could I. But as always, you're very welcome to ask any question in the comments and I strongly recommend you to check out Caroline Hirons' blog - that women is the absolute Goddess of skincare. Seriously.

One of the most common (and unmanageable) reason for our breakouts is hormones. Ladies, I can assure you that I curse and hate that week of the month just as much as you do. There isn't much you can do against it, at least to avoid it, but from my experience and after everything (let me tell you that it's a big everything) I've been testing, there are indeed a few products worth some affection. That's why I 'm now going to share some of my favourites with you, as they really do help me to deal with my breakouts when I have some (God knows I do, hello combination/oily/sensitive skin!).

HOW TO : MAINTAIN A CLEAR SKIN & PREVENT BREAKOUTS

Origins - Out of trouble mask £ 20 // La Roche-Posay - Effaclar duo  £13.50

In order to keep my skin as clear as possible as well as minimizing my breakouts, I use the Effaclar duo everyday, usually during my morning skincare routine. This is probably one of the most famous product of all time in the bloggers world and I'm sure you've heard of it thousands of times before. To make it short, I can't live without it. That's the one product which survived the "skincare crisis" I've been through during the last year, trying out way to many products. When I first started to use it, I wasn't that satisfied with my skin and applied it morning and evening. I know for sure that it's one of the reason why my skin improved so much, so quickly. It acts as a serum, can be use as a moisturiser (even if I wouldn't recommend it - for me you should always use a proper moisturiser, oily skin or not) and does not dry out the skin. Plus, it makes quite a nice base under your makeup, as it slightly matifies the skin. All benefits.

On a weekly basis, I like to use the Origins' Out of trouble mask. I'm sure you know plenty of those masks, there're a lot of good ones out there (I won't quote them all 'cause again, we'd still be here tomorrow) but this one is one of my favourite. Maybe it's only in my head, maybe it's only because of its name (what a shame it'd be) but whenever I have a few spots pointing out and getting me angry, I feel like using that bad boy helps calming everything down, limiting further damages. Literally, when i pop it on, my spots seems much smaller the next day. You can chose to believe me or not, but in the end you won't risk much at giving it a try do you ?

HOW TO : GET RID OF IT

I'm sorry to say what you don't want me to say and admit, even though deep down you know it : there's no miracle cure. Just like no shampoo can make your hair grow faster or a cream can erase your wrinkles. Nope, no Santa Claus. Sorry. The only way ? Patience. Now, read it again, accept it, and move on with your life (don't hate me, I wish someone had told me that there isn't any magical hair treatment when I was fourteen, desperate and hard up. So be grateful. Or mock me, whatever ;))

There're a few tricks that can help though, such as "spot remover". Again, keep in mind that it won't instantly erase your spot. Look at all the tiny little bottles on the picture, those are just a few that I've tried, and I can assure you that they pretty much do all the same ; they dries out the area, make the blemish look smaller, sometimes helps it to go away faster. That's it. I won't recommend one in particular because I wasn't immensely impressed by any of them. The Origins' one seems to be quite famous though and isn't too pricy. You also can go for the natural option and simply apply some Tea Tree oil on your blemish (but be warned, it stinks). Oh, and please, stay away from it. I know how ridiculously hard it is not to squeeze it, but the more you're messing with it, the more it will be messing with you in return.

HOW TO : HEAL THE DAMAGES

Sudocrem £2.55 // Heal gel £37.50

If like myself you get a stubborn scar after every single spot, you'll love The Heal gel which does an amazing job at fading the old scars and avoiding the new ones (if you put it on your blemish soon enough). A natural and cheaper alternative would be to use some Rosehip oil (as a serum or as a weekly treatment).

A last piece of advice ? STAY AWAY FROM SUGAR ! It'll only make the inflammation worse and breaks you out even more. Sugar is evil.

Let me know what your secret weapon(s) is/are and feel free to ask any more specific question, I'd be glad to share what I've learn with you if it can help !

And keep in mind that it does get better. So if you're in a bad skin period or whatsoever, give yourself  and your skin some time, try not to freak out too much (stress is a way too underestimated factor of breakouts !) and find some alternative to your favourite yummy chocolate. A new lipstick, a gripping book, a TV show, a man, any addiction will do you 'no.

xxx

M'