Living in the 21st century means that we’re exposed to a flurry of so-called “perfect” looking people on social media. Perfect bodies, perfect hair, and most important of all… perfect skin. While most of us already know it, it’s good to be reminded from time to time that nobody looks like that in real life, and that even the world’s most famous models and celebrities are prone to blemishes and breakouts. Everyone from Kendall Jenner to Justin Bieber and Chrissy Teigen have opened up about their battles with breakouts and acne, and adult acne is now considered one of the most common skincare concerns in the world.
While it’s absolutely normal to experience breakouts from time to time, we understand that they may sometimes lead to feelings of self-consciousness. The key to managing breakouts is to embark on a suitable skincare regime and to follow a healthy lifestyle. If that does not work, or if you experience stubborn acne, we recommend a visit to your dermatologist, as there may be an underlying health condition or hormonal imbalance causing the problem.
Even with the right skincare routine, diet and lifestyle, you may still find a pesky pimple pop up from time to time. Follow our simple guide to help prevent them, treat them, and hide them.
Prevent and treat breakouts
The two most important skincare ingredients to use when you struggle with breakouts, is salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid known for its amazing anti-inflammatory properties and exfoliating abilities. It is oil-soluble, meaning it can penetrate the skin’s sebum to get deep into the pores. It addresses many of the causes of acne, breakouts, whiteheads and blackheads.
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid and is great for unclogging pores. When your pores become clogged with dead skin cells and excess oil, you may develop blackheads and pimples. Glycolic acid is an exfoliant that loosens the bonds formed by dead skin cells so that they can be sloughed away more easily.
When establishing your daily skincare regime, make sure to include a good quality cleanser, serum and moisturiser in your routine, and to add an exfoliator once or twice per week.
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleanser (R149.95) deeply cleanses to rid the skin of all traces of grime and makeup whilst giving the skin a refreshing boost. Follow with Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Serum (R295.00) an innovative overnight serum with 4% glycolic acid to retexture the skin’s appearance, and NIP + FAB Glycolic Fix Moisturiser (R249.95), a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that hydrates the skin whilst helping to control excess oil build-up throughout the day. Retexturise and exfoliate the skin with a weekly or bi-weekly exfoliating treatment. NIP + FAB Glycolic Fix Pads (R379.95) are soaked in exfoliating glycolic acid (2.8%) to retexture and resurface skin whilst witch hazel helps to tone.
If you prefer a salicylic acid formula, then the Creightons Salicylic Acid skincare range is for you. Start off by washing your skin with Creightons Salicylic Acid Clay Cleanser (R75.95) which combines Kaolin Clay with Salicylic and Lactic Acids to help absorb excess oil and maintain healthier, clearer looking skin. Follow with Creightons Salicylic Acid Serum (R104.95), which contains 2% salicylic acid to reduce the appearance of blackheads, blemishes and pores and Creightons Salicylic Acid Soothing Lotion (R69.95) a moisturising, lightweight lotion to soothe and care for blemish-prone skin without clogging pores or being too heavy on the skin.
Treat existing blemishes fast with the nifty NIP + FAB Salicylic Fix Spot Patches (R169.95). Containing a blemish fighting duo of salicylic acid and tea tree, these targeted spot patches help to effectively reduce and improve the appearance of blemishes.
Hide blemishes
Blemishes have a way of popping up at the most inconvenient time, like on the morning of an event or just before a hot date. If you don’t have time to treat it, and you want to hide it instead, there are a few clever makeup tricks you can try to cover up redness and make the blemish less noticeable.
Before applying any makeup, you’ll want to apply a makeup primer all over your skin. Primers are the key to flawless makeup application and longevity. Not only do they allow foundation and concealer to glide on more smoothly, but they also allow you to blend more seamlessly. Plus, when you’re wearing a primer your makeup will last a lot longer on your skin. We recommend wet n wild Coverall Face Primer Partners In Crime (R119.95). Its magical formula helps minimize pore size, fill up wrinkles and smooth out skin tone for flawless skin.
Next up is foundation and concealer. Apply your chosen foundation all over your skin and blend well with a sponge, a brush, or your fingers. This will reduce overall redness or discolouration and may even conceal minor blemishes. For full cover, try wet n wild PhotoFocus Matte Foundation (R139.95). This high-performing, skin-perfecting foundation underwent testing under seven different photo lighting conditions to deliver flawless camera-ready make-up every time. If you prefer lighter coverage, then the new wet n wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator (R169.95) is the perfect match for you. It feels light on the skin and is buildable, so you can choose from sheer-to-medium coverage that leaves skin with a semi-matte finish and natural glow.
Once your foundation is applied, it’s time to apply concealer directly to the areas of concern. We like wet n wild PhotoFocus Concealer (R82.95) because it has a lovely creamy texture that melts into the skin. This high coverage concealer was tested to be white cast-free under seven different photo lighting conditions, allowing only your best features to get noticed.
Some stubborn blemishes may require a little more than foundation and concealer. That’s where a concealer palette comes in handy. wet n wild Coverall Concealer Palette (R119.95) contains all you need to balance out any imperfection in your complexion. Pink brightens, green neutralizes, white highlights and peach covers. This corrective concealer palette makes a great addition to your makeup bag and lets you highlight and cover up.
The last step is to set your makeup with powder. wet n wild Bare Focus Clarifying Finishing Powder (R125.95) sets your makeup, keeping it looking fresh for longer and leaves a gorgeous matte finish. Tea tree and witch hazel reduce redness and keep pores under control, making it suitable for any skin type.
Breakouts and blemishes can be a pest, but with these handy tips, preventing them, and hiding existing ones, is no longer an impossible task.
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