Did you know that Fall is the most common time of year when breakouts are at their highest?

Breakouts are increased during the fall months because the oil flow in the skin during the summer months is still occurring this time of year, yet the cooler air creates layers of dead skin cell build-up. The result is trapped oil and bacteria underneath the surface of the skin resulting in increased breakout activity.

FALL SKIN CARE TIPS FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN:

Avoid harsh cleansers. Bar soap and many cleansers have high pH balances with harsh ingredients that strip the water and essential barrier lipids out of the skin. And what you wash with is the MOST important part of your skin care routine. Why? Because if you wash with a cleanser or soap that is too drying, it pulls all the water out of the skin and creates dead, dry skin cell build up resulting in increased break out due to oil and bacteria getting trapped under the skin. Avoid the harsh ingredient Sodium Laureth Sulfate in your cleanser and instead choose sulfate-free Pore Clearing Cleanser or Ultra Gentle Cleansing Gel so they won’t over dry the skin.

Change pillowcases nightly.  For problem skins, bacteria and oil can build up on your pillowcase and be reintroduced to your skin the following night. Invest in a nice stack of pillowcases and make sure you wash them with a dye and fragrance-free laundry soap.

Avoid using toners that contain SD Alcohol 40.  Many people like the ‘clean’ and ‘tight’ feeling associated with using alcohol on the skin, but this ingredient will strip the skin of essential lipids and water, which results in dead cell build up. Astringents are substances that shrink skin tissues. Using Pore-Purifying Astringent during your flare-ups adds the benefits of pore-purifying essential oils to balance pore ecology, and clear imperfections without drying skin.  It also contains an AHA/BHA blend to minimize pores.  In addition Pore Purifying Astringent counteracts visible signs of redness

Use a gentle effective exfoliant regularly to remove dead skin cells.  Chemical exfoliants are enzymes or acids that are applied to the skin and dissolve and digest dead skin cell build up while they are on the skin. I recommend BHA/Enzyme Surface Peel after cleansing 3-5 times a week during flare-ups and 1-3 times a week for clarifying skin tone.   This product not only exfoliates, it also soaks up excess oils while cooling and soothing the skin to reduce redness caused by inflammation.

Drying out your skin=more break outs. Be cautious with over-the-counter acne products. Although these can work to dry up the actual blemish, when used all over the face they can trap the oil in the pores by causing dead skin cell buildup. Consider using Renee Iverson Skin Therapy  Zinc and Sulphur Mask for fast relief of oily, congested skin.  This mask controls oils, visibly clears imperfections and is great all over oily skin or for spot treatments.

Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.  Sleep is not only important to keep dark circles at bay, but it is also the time when your body is most metabolically active, ridding itself of toxins which would otherwise wreak havoc with your skin. Sleep also reduces stress, a common aggravator of acne!  Having trouble sleeping?  Check out Herban Wellness in downtown Kirkland.  Katya will blend up a fabulous herbal tea to relax, soothe and quiet an active mind.

Get the pores cleaned out regularly.  To reduce clogged pores, blackheads and break outs, regular deep pore cleansing facials are a must. A deep pore cleansing facial combined with a skin peel is a great way to keep your skin soft, clear and smooth.