• Avoid excessive scrubbing which can cause irritation and worsen acne.
• Exfoliate without scrubbing by using products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA’s) like glycolic or lactic acid or beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid.
• These help to clear out clogged pores and increase your skin’s cell turnover.
• There are many very effective cleansing products available.
  

  Top of my list appropriate for most skin types are:
  – Clinical Cleansing Complex or Neostrata Clarifying Facial Cleanser.

• The biggest difference between a serum and a cream or lotion is what the formulation does not include. Serums are mostly water-based, eliminating oils altogether.
• This is perfect for the acne prone skin.

• They are usually more expensive due to the high level of active ingredients, but they are actually very cost-effective.
• They will save you money over the long-term as you will likely require fewer other products.
• Those few concentrated drops are super-efficient – the skin absorbs them quickly and deeply.

I highly recommend serums from the ranges of Skin Ceuticals and IS Clinical.

• The UV rays of the sun promote inflammation which in turn leads to post inflammatory pigmentation (spots of darkened skin).
• Best for acne is to use a sunscreen which forms a physical barrier without clogging the pores.

• Retinoic acid derivatives have the following benefits in the skin: increase in collagen, increase in hyaluronic acid, increase in cell turnover and anti-oxidant properties.
• All of these lead to a decrease in the growth of bacteria, less inflammation and better healing of scar tissue. Talk to your healthcare professional about which product would suit you best.
• These are available in various formats applied and in pill form.

It is best guided by a trained professional.

• This may lead to infection and or scarring.
• Clean make-up brushes often.
• Disinfect your phone.
• Keep hair off of your face as much as possible and avoid resting your face in your hands.

• However it is also true that certain individuals do find that certain foods – alone or in combination – in their diet may trigger an outbreak.
• Therefore keep a food diary for a while to see whether this applies to you.
• Try gluten free or avoiding sugar altogether.
• Any change in diet has to be maintained for at least 8 weeks to really tell whether it works.
• A healthy diet rich in the following ingredients which promote skin health is highly recommended: vit.C, Vit. E, Vit. A, Zinc, Selenium and Omega-3&6 fatty acids.
• These can be found in foods like nuts (Brazil, walnuts, macadamia) sunflower seeds, fatty fish, fresh vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots and sweet potatoes) and fruits (avocado, tomatoes and citrus fruits).

• Drinking enough water helps to increase blood flow to the skin which helps to flush out toxins and increases your skin’s ability to fight inflammation and heal from scarring.

• These are the building blocks of your skin (and other organs) that provide its structure, strength, and elasticity.
• When you sleep your body boosts blood flow to essential organs including the skin which helps to clear toxins and repair and remove dead cells.

• Being stressed thus increases the oily production in these glands which in turn may lead to breakouts of acne.
• Identify stressors and try and find ways to manage these.
• Make sure you sleep enough, build in time for exercise into your routine, and spend time with yourself to nourish yourself spiritually.

Professional treatments may include, but are not limited to
Theraclear laser treatment, chemical peels, retinol peels and or prescription medication.