Breakouts. We all get them. Whether it be from stress, poor eating habits, hormones or simply just not washing your face, one way or another we’ve all had our experience with a breakout. I know it may feel like the end of the world when pesky red bumps form around your forehead and cheeks, but trust me when I say, it will be okay!

In this post, I will be explaining three different ways I treat my breakouts. Before we begin, it’s best to know what type of breakout you’re dealing with. If you’re dealing with a breakout due to an allergic reaction, then it’s probably best you to sit this post out and apply a prescribed ointment instead.

1. Spot Treatment

Whenever I’m breaking out, I immediately reach for spot treatment. If you aren’t familiar with spot treatments, well it’s exactly what it sounds like. Before going to bed, simply apply a spot treatment on all your blemishes and in the morning, your blemishes should be gone or at least significantly minimized. If you’re looking for an effective spot treatment, I would recommend the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion.

This spot treatment is packed with blemish-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid,  sulfur and calamine. Keep in mind this treatment is specifically designed for white-heads (pimples that are on the topmost layer of the skin and contain a white bulb). However, if you’re someone like me who doesn’t really get white-heads but more minor breakouts such as pre-pimples, I would still suggest trying this spot treatment. Just keep in mind that the drying lotion probably won’t make your minor breakout disappear overnight. However, if you are someone with more dominate breakouts this might work perfectly for you.

2. Clay Mask

There is a range of reasons why breakouts occur, however, one of the main causes of breakouts is a rise in androgen levels. An increase in androgen levels can lead to the growth of oil glands beneath the skin. Enlarged glands produce an excess of sebum, an oily liquid, which then causes cellular walls in pores to breakdown leading to bacterial growth.

When it comes to breakouts, sometimes all you can really do is put on a face mask and hope for the best. One of my favorite mask to use when I’m breaking out is the Loreal Paris Detox & Brighten Pure-Clay Mask. This mask contains charcoal which helps detoxify my skin by unplugging impurities such as dirt and pollution. After using this mask, my skin feels like it can breathe and my complexion overall just looks brighter.

Another one of my favorite masks when I’m breaking out is the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask from The Body Shop. This mask feels incredibly cooling and refreshes my blemished skin without over-drying. It contains tea tree oil from Mount Kenya which helps clear impurities and absorbs excess sebum. The mask is also 100% vegan and cruelty-free, which I love. Even if I may not see an immediate difference in the appearance of my skin after using these masks, I do notice a difference in the way my skin feels.

3. Pore Strips

When I’m dealing with breakouts such as blackheads and clogged pores, I usually like to reach for pore strips. My favorite is the Charcoal Pore Strips from Biore. As I mentioned, charcoal is an effective ingredient when it comes to detoxifying pores. If you’re looking for a product with immediate results, pore strips are the way to go.

The pore strips from Biore, in particular, remove excess oils and blackheads from beneath the skin surface. These strips leave my skin feeling clean and oil-free. Although removing the nose strips can be a little painful, it is so satisfying (and a little gross) to see all the gunk that was nestled underneath my skin.

There are a variety of products that can help with breakouts. However, try not to get too caught up in getting rid of your breakouts. Remember, too much product can be a bad thing. If you’re not seeing immediate results after using a spot treating or mask, just be patient. I promise, you’re skin will clear up. The best advice I can give you is to try not to touch your face with unwashed hands, make sure your phone is sanitized, wash your pillowcases and most importantly, let your skin breathe.

I hoped you enjoy this post. If you have any questions or have some breakout remedy recommendations, feel free to comment down below!