Do this, not that, for your acne prone skin

    By Danielle Page, Jackson Beauty Examiner

It's all so confusing in the skincare world, especially when it comes to acne prone skin.  To salicylic acid or not, to benzoyl peroxide it or not?  More moisture or dry it up?

Here are some easy to follow do this, not that, steps to getting and maintaining clear, healthy skin.

Don't consume dairy (eliminate milk, cheese, yogurt etc.) you don't need a cows hormones running through your already out of control hormone crazy body, not to mention the additional hormones being injected into the cows to force them to produce more milk.  Excessive estrogen makes acne worse and flares it up to begin with. Just think, how is your skin just before your period?  Exactly.

Do replace your dairy milk with rice, almond, hemp or coconut milk (try SoDelicous coconut milk).  You can even get coconut milk based yogurt as well as almond milk based yogurts (try Amande yogurt). There are also brown rice based cheeses available.

Don't use traditional toothpaste they contain SLS a foaming agent that is a proven skin irritant and usually is the culprit for causing breakouts around your lips and mouth area.
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Do use an all natural SLS free and flouride free toothpaste.  Jason makes a good all natural toothpase as well as Tom's. 

Don't use facial cleansers with SLS, again it's a foaming agent that is a known skin irritant and blemish producer.  Insane, because this ingredient is in cleansers that are supposed to HELP with acne!  Also stay away from cleansers or acne products in general containing Propylene Glycol, PEG's or Parabens of any sort.  Also acne causers and skin irritants.

Do use all natural cleansers like Mychelle Clear Skin Cleanser. 

Don't use salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.  They both will dry out your skin and irritate it making your acne worse.

Do use a more gentle retin a product like Retin A Micro.  This is an incredible acne fighter and will clear your skin completely in a matter of 8 weeks.  Initially you will get dry and peel but it will stop over a short period of time.  Some may experience an intial breakout because the product is exfoliating your skin at a rapid rate and pimples that were under the skin that were waiting patiently to come to the surface in a month or so, are brought up and out quicker with the Retin A Micro.  You can get a prescription from your dermotologist or plastic surgeon.  You can order it for well over half off going through an online pharmacy as opposed to paying $200 at your local pharmacy.

Don't use straight alcohol on your face as a toner.  It will initially dry the skin out and then your face will in turn, produce more oil to compensate for the dryness, making you more oily than before you started.

Do use Witch Hazel it's a soothing, refreshing tonic that will calm your irritated skin without stripping it of it's natural oils.

Don't eat processed foods, deli meats etc. they contain sodium nitrates which are irritating to the skin and cause breakouts. You will know if you eat too much processed meats just by looking at your face.  If you have a large amount of breakouts on the cheek areas, processed meats are your culprit.

Do eat a more plant based diet rich in nutrients like kale, spinach etc.  Eating cruciferous veggies such as brussel sprouts, cabbage, etc. will also aid in sweeping out the excess estrogens in your body that are helping to cause your acne to begin with.

Don't use makeup/foundation that contain parabens or PEG's.  They will cause breakouts just as if you used them in your cleansers.

Do choose to wear makeup that has natural ingredients like mineral makeup etc.(not all mineral makeup is created equally, so do your research)  Dermablend actually does not contain these irritating ingredients although it is not a "natural" makeup, it still is not known to irritate or cause acne.

Don't eat wheat or soy.  This includes white bread that is essentially wheat bread that has been bleached.  Wheat not only bloats you because of the gluten but also can cause skin problems such as rashes etc. in some people.  Soy wreaks havoc on your hormones (another insane thing because the medical community pushes it on women to "fix" their female problems, but nothing could be further from the truth, do your own research and you'll be enlightened.)

Do replace your pasta, bread etc. with brown rice based pasta's and bread.  They are delicious and can be found not only in health food stores but your local grocery store including Walmart.  Plus brown rice is gluten free and is slower to burn in your system than white rice or other starches so you don't get that insulin surge causing your blood sugar to rise and fall like a ton of bricks.

A basic skin care regimen would look like this:

Morning

Wash face with Mychelle's Clear Skin Cleanser

Swipe face with Witch Hazel on a cotton ball

If you're going to use a moisturizer following the Witch Hazel make sure it's all natural and is paraben free.  Such as Say Yes To Tomatoes balancing moisturizer.

Evening

Remove makeup with makeup removing towlette such as one from Blum Naturals

Then wash your face with Mychelle's Clear Skin Cleanser

Swipe face with Witch Hazel on a cotton ball

Then apply a pea sized amount of prescription Retin A Micro

Follow the above steps, including the prescription Retin A Micro and in 6 to 8 weeks your skin will be substantially clearer if not completely clear.  You  must, however, keep up with the diet, etc.  If you go back to indulging in dairy and processed foods/meats you can expect to see your breakouts return.

Until next time.........stay beautiful!  Need a Makeup Artist? Contact Dani Page for all your professional makeup application needs including lessons.