This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
F*ck, another annoying breakout!
Common causes of acne: Diet, lifestyle, stress, environmental factors, and hormones.
Make a visit to the dermatologist. Here, they can prescribe you an excellent retinoid to clear up hyperpigmentation and a good topical or facewash to help eradicate the breakouts. I put the dermatologist as recommendation number 1 because this visit will help clear up the scarring many people have post-acne to deal with long-term.
Cut carbs; this is not easy and not for the faint of heart, but it’s also an excellent way to eliminate blood sugar spikes and decrease the amount of sugar floating around in your body. Carbs aren’t bad for your skin, but if you’re looking to aggressively accelerate your skin healing and eliminate any potential breakouts, cut the carbs temporarily. An example zero-carb meal: Salmon, avocado, red onions, pine nuts, cucumber, olive oil dressing, and arugula.
Focus on implementing immune system-boosting, detoxing, and hormone-balancing herbs: Garlic, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Clove, Oil of Oreganol, Mushroom, Cilantro, Milk Thistle, and DIM. Bonus: Another immune-boosting drink is 1–2 shots of apple cider vinegar with a half (or whole) squeezed lemon.
Drink a gallon of water daily. Cut out sugary drinks – all of dem.
Decrease and mitigate your stress and stay active. Start saying “no” more to obligations, people, and activities. Cut responsibilities, relationships, and things from your life that add stress. Reframe your mindset and focus on gratitude. Practice regular meditation, stretching, walking, and implement weight training.
Sleep: Don’t just sleep; get plenty of sleep and ensure it’s quality sleep. Wash your bedding with gentle detergent at least once a week, and never sleep with old, dirty, and overused pillowcases.
Pets: Keep your pets clean, and also, be sure you’re not rubbing your face on their skin or in their face more than necessary, as this can cause potential breakouts.
Products: Don’t switch your products too often, and don’t use a ton of products. Less is more. Also, don’t freak out if your skin initially reacts negatively to a new product; there is usually always an adjustment period. Give your skin time to acclimate.
Acne is complicated, but there are actions everyone can take to mitigate them. Step one is a visit to the dermatologist, depending on the severity, to avoid/mitigate acne scarring. Step 2 is doing everything possible to create the most optimal skin conditions. But please remember that even optimal conditions can lead to minor breakouts; it’s part of the circle of life. 🙂
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.