7 Wellness Bloggers’ Tips for Taming Period Acne Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Acne
7 Wellness Bloggers Best Tips for Taming Period Acne Flare-Ups
Read up on spot treatments to try, bad habits to bust, and diet changes to make to lessen the likelihood you’ll break out. By Jessica MigalaMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: May 10, 2019Medically Reviewed Nicole Pearl Chelsea Williams and Jenn Haskins share how they fend off blemishes
Photos Courtesy of BloggersWellness bloggers may have perfectly curated Instagram feeds, but beyond their pictures, they’re just like the rest of us: They get acne, too. (Some are even very open about this, and we are grateful.) The acne you have as an adult is different from the acne you had as a teen. Adult pimples tend to be inflammatory or cystic in nature (they’re red, angry bumps under the surface of the skin that hurt), and blemishes often speckle the chin and jawline, notes a January 2018 study in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Compared with adults, teens tend to have more blackheads, according to the study. Researchers also found that the majority of adult acne is mild (some good news) and more common in women. Acne causes are multifactorial, ranging from genetics, hormones, stress, excess oil production, and C. acnes bacteria, and are still not fully understood, the researchers say. One of the reasons why acne is not just a teen problem is because of hormonal fluctuations that occur during the month, particularly around menstruation. In fact, one study in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology in August 2014 found that 65 percent of female participants reported breakouts before their period. Hormonal changes can cause sebaceous glands in the skin to pump out pore-clogging oil, leading to acne flares. Your breakouts may correspond to your menstrual cycle, but there could also be many other things going on. All of that is to say, “we don’t really know how much of your breakouts come from what piece of the pie,” says Marisa K. Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell – New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Therefore, the right treatment doesn’t just aim to regulate hormones but also targets acne-causing bacteria, keeps pores clear, and reduces inflammation. RELATED: A Comprehensive Guide to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet For true hormonal acne, the best treatments a dermatologist can offer are prescriptions for medication like hormonal birth control or Aldactone (spironolactone), the latter of which has antiandrogen effects to reduce oil production, says Dr. Garshick. Androgens are “male” hormones, like testosterone. Women have androgens, too, and they increase oil production, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). But you may not need to go the medication route and instead want to rely on topical, dietary, and other lifestyle remedies to banish breakouts. Here are seven tips bloggers use to fight pimples:73 Do Your Best to Resist Any Temptation to Touch a Blemish
Nicole PearlWhen a pimple pops up, the first thing you might want to do is squeeze it. But Nicole Pearl, a beauty expert and founder of TheBeautyGirl.com (@nicolepearl1), maintains a smart hands-off policy. “I do my best to leave [a breakout] alone. Picking always makes the situation worse,” she says. A spot treatment containing salicylic acid is her next step when needed. A word from an expert regarding picking: If you need additional motivation not to do it, here’s food for thought. “Say to yourself, ‘I love to pick, and now I’m going to make something that will last six months.’ If you pick, you will leave long-lasting marks,” says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a Miami-based dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare. As for Pearl’s spot treatment: Salicylic acid helps unplug pores. It’s best used when a couple pimples around your chin or mouth appear here or there, says Dr. Ciraldo. She recommends dotting the blemish with salicylic acid, leaving it on for a few minutes like a mask, and washing it off. RELATED: The Skin-Care Glossary Every Woman Needs to Have74 Take Measures to Help Prevent Yourself From Picking a Pimple
Carly TumenA brilliant trick to stop yourself from touching a zit: “I use Mighty Patches by Hero Cosmetics,” says Calyn Brooke , a fitness and wellness influencer (@calynbrooke). “These are clear hydrocolloid acne stickers that act as a protective cover to prevent picking. You can wear them out of the house too, since they’re clear and no one will notice,” she says. According to Herocosmetics.us, hydrocolloid looks like a small, flexible piece of plastic. It’s a self-adhesive patch made from pectin or gelatin that keeps the area moist to encourage healing. Most of all, it protects a pimple from the outside world, namely your hands, Hero Cosmetics notes.75 Avoid Layering Too Much Makeup Over a Blemish
Monique Volz (2)You get a zit, you cover it up with makeup (and then touch it up again later in the day). But rather than adding more layers, you may be better off taking them away. “My biggest tip for avoiding these acne flares is to quit wearing so much makeup. The less makeup on your skin, the less dirt and oil you’ll have clogging your pores,” says Monique Volz, founder of Ambitious Kitchen, a food and wellness website (@ambitiouskitchen). Beyond hormones, the AAD points out, some cosmetics can actually cause acne, and this phenomenon has a clinical name: acne cosmetica. This often looks like tiny red bumps on cheeks, chin, or forehead; whiteheads; and pimples, but it takes a while to appear, making it tough to know that it’s your makeup that’s the problem. If you start using a new skin-care product and develop bumps shortly thereafter, your product may be the culprit. Purchasing skin-care products and makeup that’s labeled “oil-free” or “noncomedogenic” will help, as will cleaning makeup brushes weekly. The AAD advises doing this with lukewarm water and shampoo.76 Change What s on Your Plate to Fight Acne Breakouts
Jennifer PhillipsYou may notice that for you certain foods can bring on the breakouts. Jennifer Phillips, a natural-beauty blogger (@jenniraincloud), controls acne by controlling her diet. “Throughout my years as an aesthetician, I was taught to treat skin topically, but skin care is not enough. I eat grain-free, limit dairy, and try to get as many fruits and veggies in as possible. This has made a massive difference in my skin,” she says. It’s something that dermatologists tell their patients all the time. “Whether acne is hormonal or not, the way we eat is causing an epidemic of acne in all age groups,” says New York City dermatologist Sheryl Clark, MD, who is also a clinical assistant professor at Cornell University Medical College. If you’re constantly facing acne flares, you may consider eliminating dairy for two months. (Certain proteins in cow’s milk, including caseins, are pro-inflammatory, she says.) Adopting a low glycemic index diet (for instance, trading white rice for barley, as Harvard Health Publishing recommends) can also help by reducing glucose spikes that prompt your body to release insulin. “Insulin has an effect on the hormone receptors in skin to produce acne flares,” says Dr. Clark. A diet rich in antioxidants (like those fruits and veggies) will also help support skin, adds Clark. RELATED: 6 Ways to Eat and Drink Your Way to Healthier Skin77 Turn to Tea Tree Oil to Fight Inflammation at the Root of Your Flare-Up
Jenn HaskinsIt’s not just oily skin types that are saddled with problems. “I have dry and sensitive skin, which reacts poorly to a lot of the ‘typical’ acne treatments. After a lot of trial and error, I finally discovered that tea tree oil works perfectly for my hormonal acne flare-ups,” says Jenn Haskins, blogger at Hello Rigby (@hellorigby). Clark explains this is a good option for some cases. “Tea tree oil is anti-inflammatory, so it does help some people with acne,” says Clark. Rigby uses Advanced Clinicals Tea Tree Oil because it also contains skin-conditioning antioxidant vitamin E, as well as witch hazel to soothe redness and potential irritation. “The key is not to overuse it. I put a dot on the blemish and no more,” she says. Tea tree can be a bit irritating, says Clark, so if it causes redness or irritation, stop using it. In fact, some dermatologists recommend trying tea tree oil on your forearm for a few days before applying it to your face to see how your skin reacts.78 Cover Your Skin With Charcoal to Help Prevent Breakouts
Lestraundra AlfredAlong with being extra diligent about her skin-care routine to prevent pimples in the first place, Lestraundra Alfred, founder and host of the Balanced Black Girl Podcast (@balancedles), applies a charcoal face mask followed by spot treating with tea tree oil. “Charcoal is designed to dry out blackheads and unclog pores,” says Garshick. “It’s activated by a ‘lifting’ effect, where it adheres to dirt and other debris in pores and pulls it out.” One mask to try: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores.79 Drink a Cup of Tea to Help Fend Off Blemishes
Jonathan WilliamsBetter to avoid acne altogether, right? “I attack hormonal acne flare-ups before they even begin. I drink 1 to 2 cups of raspberry leaf tea per day a few days before my cycle starts and throughout my cycle to combat cramping,” says Chelsea Williams, MPH, wellness blogger at ThatsChelsea.com (@thatschelsea). “After hearing about the tea years ago, I tried it for myself to decrease hormonal breakouts around the jawline, reduce PMS symptoms, and alleviate cramping. In my experience, the benefits held true,” she says. Red raspberry leaf is traditionally used during pregnancy (particularly for women looking to naturally bring on labor), but a 2018 article in Integrative Medicine notes that it also contains a variety of vitamins (A, C, and E) and minerals (calcium, iron, and potassium). While there aren’t studies that show the tea can control acne, it’s safe to drink. If you are interested in non-medication remedies (like hormonal birth control or spironolactone), Garshick says you might also try spearmint tea, which some small studies, including those referenced in a spring 2012 article in the International Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism, suggest has antiandrogenic effects to reduce hormonal acne. Most Recent in Acne
11 Potential Causes of Hair Loss and Baldness
Best and Worst Drinks for Psoriasis
Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss 9 Things You Need to Know
Painless Bloodless Tattoos Possible With New Microneedle Technique
NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter
SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Acne
If You Wrote a Letter to Your Acne What Would You Say
In this unusual study, participants voiced their frustration with a condition that often resists treatment and can leave emotional scars.By Niki Davis-FainbloomSeptember 2, 2022 Acne Types and Symptoms
Got a problem with acne? Recognizing the different types of acne and their symptoms is one of the first steps to getting clear skin.By Valencia HigueraAugust 11, 2022 Better Acne Treatments May Be in Our Genes
Scientists have identified 29 new gene variants that are common in people with acne, a discovery that researchers believe could lead to treatment breakthroughs...By Lisa RapaportFebruary 15, 2022 Speaking Acne A Glossary of Common Terms
Learning the lingo can help you better understand what causes acne — and how to prevent breakouts and get rid of pimples.By Jessica MigalaSeptember 20, 2021 What Is Acne Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention
By Valencia HigueraOctober 14, 2020 Maskne Is the Latest Skin Problem — Here s How to Prevent or Get Rid of It
Red spots and bumps along your mask line are potential signs of "maskne." Don't not wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic; instead, follow these tips...By Jessica MigalaAugust 7, 2020 Buttocks Breakouts How to Get Rid of the Bumps on Your Behind
Those may look like pimples, but it’s unlikely they are. Still, they can be painful and uncomfortable. By Madeline R. Vann, MPHJune 3, 2020 6 Dos and Don ts for Treating Teen Acne
When your oil glands go into overdrive, your pores can get clogged, causing acne. Fortunately, these scientific strategies can help you tame breakouts...By Valencia HigueraJune 3, 2020 7 Easy Home Remedies for Acne
Is the secret to clearer skin hiding in your kitchen? Homemade acne treatments from foods such as honey, cucumbers, and grapes may help complement professional...By Valencia HigueraMay 29, 2020 Back Acne Bacne Why Pimples Pop Up and How to Prevent and Get Rid of Them
By Valencia HigueraMay 15, 2020