Here are some of my top tips to help keeps spots away at any age. 

 

1. Don’t get into the Vicious Spot Cycle

Traditional acne and spot treatments can be really aggravating and end up stripping the skins natural oils with  harsh detergents giving that squeaky clean feeling. Because the oil has been stripped the skin naturally strives to replace this by over producing oil, causing excess oil and midday shine. Break the habit with a gel or gentle wash. Squeaky clean doesn’t mean really clean. try using a minute amount of plant oil (like tiny) at night to help rebalance your natural oil production. 

2. Get into a simple daily cleansing routine 

This is probably one of the best things you can do right now. I have teenage children myself I know especially with boys they often don’t know what to do so they do nothing and the breakouts stay there and don’t get any better. Lets start with one thing morning and night cleansing, opt for a gel or gentle wash. 

3. On the spot 

Look for an on the spot product as a rescue to a problem spot or area. These will usually have salycilic acid in which is antibacterial. (Please don’t use of your allergic to asprin) 

4. Aromatherapy 

A natural antibacterial alternative is Tea tree oil or Lavender you can apply this straight on a spot, I have never seen this work magic but it might help. Apply at night wash off in the morning as most essential oils left on the skin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

5. Face mask 

Once a week try a face mask, cleansing, clays are good as they draw impurities out of the skin, and whitchhazel is naturally astringent, but also look for aloe vera for some hydration as well, you don’t want to just strip the skin of oils, it still needs to be comfortable and hydrated. 

6. Fragrance free

I know there are so many lovely smelling skincare products and makeup however these are a huge factor in increasing blockages on the skin. The skin doesn’t need fragrance, your nose might like the smell but your complexion won’t like the effect. 

7. Exfoliate right 

TO help prevent pores from becoming blocked you need to exfoliate even if your skin is a little sensitive, generally if you have active spots avoid things with gritty particles, these are only going to scratch and irritate. exfoliate with gentle peel ingredients, AHA’s, glycolic, salicylic are all peeling ingredients to look out for. 

 

8. Balance your skin PH with vinegar

The skins surface is an acid environment, its called the acid mantle, if your using soaps, detergents and water the skins natural alkaline balance is going to be too alkaline. reach for the apple cider vinegar and wipe over with cotton pads as a daily toner. 

9. Facials & peels 

A professional deep cleansing facial can be really beneficial for an immediate clean. Your therapist might do some extractions (squeeze blackheads) in a way that isn’t going to damage the skin. I would also look at Peels and LED (seriously these can be a huge step in the right direction to a clearer complexion and not to be scared of at all) 

 

10. See the light 

I am a huge fan of Blue LED light for treating spots, its naturally antibacterial without being invasive, professional LED is a lot stronger than what you can use at home, however there are some amazing at home blue light machines which with regular continued use can be a huge help.  

11. Retinol 

Retinol might not be for everyone but it can be a huge help in keeping spots away, because it speeds cell turnover its reduces the ability for pores to block and can shorten the life of active spots. You must remember to use SPF daily when you have retinol in your routine, and not to over do it!