Purge the pimples! 5 ways you can avoid getting spots

Don’t pop your pimples

It can be ever so tempting to pop a pimple (and for some, quite satisfying!) but doing this will not lead to eradicating it. Popping your pimples is likely to cause bleeding, scarring and even infection, because touching the pimple with your hands introduces bacteria and dirt that you pick up constantly every day.

If you’re a serial pimple popper (and you are not Dr Pimple Popper), it can lead to inflammation of surrounding pores, worsening the issue.

Know your skin type

All types of skin are susceptible to spots – alas there is no such thing as super skin!

However, some skin types are more prone than others, notably oily skin. This is because the excess oil can congest the skin, though on the other hand having oily skin does have its advantages; as it has more natural moisture, it’s less prone to wrinkles.

If you’ve got oily skin, daily enzymatic exfoliation will help to trigger cell turnover.

Combination skin (that’s both dry and oily at different sites) can make it hard to find a moisturiser that suits you. Exfoliate gently and use a moisturiser with a gel-based texture to make sure it gets absorbed by your skin speedily.

Stay hydrated

When you’re dehydrated, the body sends signals to your skin’s oil glands to tell them to create more oil to compensate for the drought, so to speak. The extra oil can cause irritation, dry patches and increased breakouts.

Certain medications can cause dry skin, as can diet, excessive alcohol consumption and cold weather. Make sure you consume the recommended 2 litres a day.

Make sure your pores aren’t blocked

Sun cream, make-up and hair products can all contribute to blocking your pores.

When choosing sun cream, choose one that’s labelled as being “non-comedogenic (non-clogging) or free of oil.

Hair products such as Argan and coconut oils, which are hugely popular at the moment, can actually play a part in causing facial pimples and acne. If you do use such products, make sure you wash them out before bedtime.

Avoid certain foods

It’s a huge cliché that fatty and processed foods are bad for the skin, but it’s true, and yet we still have a huge problem with excessive saturated fat consumption in this country.

One study of 5000 Chinese teenagers and young adults who had high-fat diets was associated with a 43% increased risk of developing acne. This research is still in its early stages, but the statistics seem to suggest a clear link.

Refined carbs raise the insulin levels in your blood, which in turn can contribute to acne development, as your skin cells grow too quickly and your sebum production increases.

Follow these simple tips to stay pimple-free!