When You’re Stressed
You’refreaking out, and wham!
Here’s how to get back in the clear.
Flex your willpower!Overdoing it on alcohol and having a smoke are not doing your skin any favors.
In fact, a study published in theInternational Journal of Dermatologyconfirms that theseless than stellar habitsexacerbate acne conditions.
See a skin doc.Logically, chronic stress leads to chronic acne.
If you’re able to’t break the cycle, a dermatologist can.
Antibiotics are another possibility.
In pill or topical form, they reduce troublesomeP.
acnesbacteria; your M.D.
will typically prescribe one for one to three months to “reset” skin.
It shrinks oil glands, curing about 70 percent of patients.
When You Work Out a Lot
Exercise-induced acneis its own special breed.
It flares on the forehead, jawline, neck, chest and back, all areas where sweat lingers.
Sadly, most acne products don’t help.
Yeast, a normal skin microorganism that proliferates in damp conditions, is the culprit, not bacteria.
Heatrashtypically fades after you stop sweating.
Yeast zits can last weeks.
Don’t be cheap.Spend the extra few bucks onsweat-wicking workout clothesthat dry quickly.
“Wet fabrics can trap moisture against skin and encourage yeast growth in pores,” Dr. Bailey says.
You’ll feel cooler, too.
to the condition, Dr. Bailey says.
Animmediate showeris your best defense.
When You Have PMS
Got a pattern ofpreperiod breakouts?
The theory: Extractions that precede monthly oil spikes can stave off clogging later in the cycle.
But avoid DIY squeezing.Yes, it’s incredibly tempting.
Better to treat skin with good oldbenzoyl peroxide.
Why it’s a must: As BP kills bacteria, it also reduces inflammation in skin.
Nix both issues and bumps will fade quickly.
Find it in RX Skin Therapy Clarifying Facial Masque, $40, a double-duty skin helper.
Try a pill.If other options haven’t worked, your dermatologist may suggest medication.Oral contraceptivesare one possibility.
Some help minimize monthly breakouts by evening out hormonal flip-flops.
It’s sometimes paired with the Pill or used solo.
(Your doc will decide.
Get ready to glow!
Here’s the lowdown on what works.
Protect with less.When you shop for asunscreen, buy one labelednoncomedogenic.
Strengthwise, aim for at least SPF 30.
They’re less likely to cause irritation than chemical sunscreens (like oxybenzone) are.
The trade-off: The minerals can look white and masklike.
If it’s labeledmicronized, that’s a clue the formula will go on sheer.
Test it on the back of your hand before committing to a faceful.
Get some bubbly.Wash up as soon as possible apres-beach.
(If there’s a public shower, use it.)
Spread on resveratrol.Early research suggests that this commonantiagingingredient may do more than previously thought.
The Best Superfoods for Every Skin Problem
Healthy Beauty Awards: Face
