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How Do I Treat A Breakout?

Dear Kate, how do I treat a breakout?
Sara L.

Dear Sara,
We all suffer breakouts at some point. The causes are widespread; stress, hormonal fluctuations, incorrect product usage. I know its tempting (and oh so satisfying!) to pop a pimple but HANDS OFF! A spot has a natural lifespan of three days, when you touch it, pick at it or squeeze it you create a longer lasting inflammation. Over time excess picking and squeezing can result in pigment changes (creating areas of darker skin) and scarring. Squeezing a spot causes the ickyness to move deeper down into the pimple and that can develop into a very painful and exceedingly ugly cyst.

Acne 1o1
To understand the best way to treat a breakout, its imperative to understand exactly what a pimple is, then you can treat the breakout effectively. When a pore gets clogged with dirt and sebum (the skin's own natural moisturizer), the oil and bacteria are trapped inside and the resulting infection shows itself in the form of a pimple. Over zealous scrubbing and squeezing will only worsen the problem, even extending the lifespan of the spot for up to two weeks. The right way to treat acne is to use products that are gentle, won't irritate your skin and allow your skin to find its own natural balance. Its also a good idea to give your skin a break for just a few days a week by skipping your usual nighttime moisturizer. This will enable your skin to really breathe, get back its natural balance and kick start its own natural healing process.

The Fine Art of Disguise
Before applying your make up, dab a little of my Breakout Balm on the spot. With a blend of anti-inflammatory essential oils and balancing hazelnut oil, this gentle balm will ensure your pimple will heal naturally. Applying the balm will soften the area and take away that horrid crusty carbuncle look. Apply concealer (a thicker, stick concealer seems to cover better and last longer) with a concealer brush. Using a brush enables you to put the concealer exactly where you need it and also keeps your fingers off the spot! When you have applied the concealer, set it with just a tiny amount of powder so that the concealed area blends in well with the skin. Its also a good idea to use just a bit of extra blush, thereby attracting all and sundry to your healthy glow and not the spot!
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