Fashion

9 Clear Skin Tricks to Know When You're Acne-Prone

by Taylor Fuller

Breakouts suck. Whether it's that time of the month for you, you have a huge presentation at work with your boss, or you're going on a date, it's never fun to wake up with a breakout. But unfortunately, it happens. If you have acne-prone skin, preventing morning breakouts may seem impossible — it can seem like you've tried every product you could get your hands on.

Having clear skin sounds great in theory, but how do you actually make it happen? Your best defense is a good offense, so start with making changes to your nighttime routine, so that you can avoid a surprise breakout the next morning. First things first, stop stressing out! You can easily create an acne-proof skincare routine that works for you and works overtime to eliminate breakouts. Making changes like going fragrance-free, or using all-natural products will go a long way.

You’ve probably never thought of adding an anti-acne light therapy mask to your routine, but trying something totally different and out of the box may work for you. Maybe you don't want to go through the work of creating a method for yourself, which means that buying an acne treatment system might be your best option. Whatever your skin issue may be, you can find something that will give you the clear complexion you want by morning.

Go Fragrance Free

Humane Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Body & Face Wash , $22, Amazon

You could be irritating your skin with chemicals that are often used to make your products smell good. Choose an acne wash that is both fragrance-free and paraben-free. With benzoyl peroxide (BPO), this face and body wash draws out bacteria that causes skin imperfections (like pimples, annoying blackheads, and whiteheads), while preventing the formation of future ones. The benzoyl peroxide in this wash is formulated to be smaller than the average BPO, which allows it to kill the bacteria on contact. One user said, "when you find something that works, it changes everything."

Stop Putting Harmful Chemicals on Your Face, and Go Natural

Thayer Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, $9, Amazon

There's a lot to be said about natural products. They keep harmful chemicals from causing even more acne from popping up or from drying out your skin. This toner combines Witch Hazel extract, aloe vera, vitamin E, and grapefruit seed extract to attract moisture while clearing up your breakouts. The rose fragrance is made with natural rose petals, which won't cause irritation to your skin. It doesn't contain alcohol like a lot of toners, which means softer (not drier) skin.

Reduce Acne and Minimize the Appearance of Pores with A Serum

Anti Acne Serum From Uptown Cosmeceuticals, $15, Amazon

If you are dreaming about having a clearer complexion, reach for an Anti Acne Serum. This one combines a formula of anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial ingredients like salicylic acid, manuka oil and lemongrass oil. These ingredients will help you achieve that clear complexion as it unclogs pores, smooths fine lines, and reduces inflammation. The serum goes a step further with another powerful ingredient, EvermatTM, which minimizes pores and reduces skin shine. Don't be surprised if the bottle starts to look a little empty, as this product is designed for men, women, and teens, so your boyfriend, girlfriend, or little brother/sister may be using it, too.

Improve and Purify Skin With A Charcoal Mask

InstaNatural Charcoal Mask for Face , $17, Amazon

Your pores should be able to breathe! When they get clogged, they struggle to do so, which causes breakouts. Everyday life can cause dirt, debris and other impurities to penetrate your skin. Banish those impurities and gain control with a charcoal mask that has the ingredients to clear your skin up. Charcoal powder, China clay, and lecithin absorb toxins, and "act as a vacuum" to pull out the dirt and grime that causes blackheads and pimples. This product will leave you beautiful, smooth skin, and you only need to use it for five to 10 minutes, once a week!

Zap Stubborn Spots

Body Merry Acne Spot Treatment Drying Cream, $16, Amazon

Sometimes you wake up with a terrible, huge pimple that looks twenty times worse than all of your other ones. Say goodbye to it with a spot treatment that's designed to eliminate stubborn pimples quickly. Ingredients like sulfur and salicylic acid dry out your pimple, so that it starts looking better in hours, not days.

Create a Before-Bedtime Acne Treatment System

Neutralyze Moderate to Severe Acne Treatment, $40, Amazon

You may need more than one product to clear up stubborn skin if you have moderate to severe acne, which means it's best to invest in an acne-clearing treatment that covers all of the bases. Find one that includes a face wash, spot treatment, and a toner. Ingredients like mandelic acid relieve redness and inflammation, while salicylic acid helps acne to go away quickly. Dark spots fade and cystic acne, pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads heal. The final step, the synergizer, helps to restore your skin's natural pH, which allows your skin to heal more effectively — leaving you with a clear complexion.

Return Moisture To Your Face With A Night Cream

Retinol Moisturizer Cream for Face, $19, Amazon

Oily skin got you down? Your body is probably overcompensating and producing oil to help your skin from drying out. But sometimes, that oil clogs your pores and creates breakouts. Return moisture to your face with a night cream that is full of natural ingredients like organic aloe, green tea, jojoba oil, and shea butter. The moisturizer is all natural and does not contain fillers, fragrances, dyes or parabens, giving your skin the change that restores its glow.

Fade Dark Spots

Honestie Naturals Dark Spot Corrector, $20, Amazon

When the acne goes away, the spot can stick around. So, even if your new before-bedtime routines are starting to work, you still can have dark spots that linger. Fade acne spots overnight with a dark spot corrector that contains glycolic and kojic acid. The natural acids penetrate your skin to restore damaged skin, which helps fade age spots, acne spots, and skin discoloration. Antioxidants like Chinese ginseng, anise, horseradish, vitamin E, and more help bring brightness back to your skin and lighten any scars that might be visible. Even toned skin, here you come.

Try Something Less Traditional

illuMask Acne Light Therapy, $25, Amazon

If traditional acne products don't seem to be working, it may be time to try something new and completely out of the box. Using a light therapy mask may be your next move in defeating acne. Simply slip on this mask for 15 minutes, and use the remote switch it on. The LED lights are meant to fight and kill the bacteria that causes acne and reduce inflammation. Most light acne treatments can cost you hundreds of dollars, but this at-home mask that offers 30 uses for about $25 makes it totally worth the purchase, and the weird looks from your roommate.

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Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (9)