BACKGROUND

SOLUTION

• Prevention is better than cure, and the best way to stay acne-free is to keep your pores clear of dirt and oil, which are generated daily from sweat, grime, and airborne pollutants such as car exhaust.

• First and foremost, I devised my own exfoliation video after decades of trial and error, which is to firmly but gently rub your face with the ball of your fingers to remove the dirt trapped in your pores. Slowly work your way down from the hairline, forehead, cheeks, jawline and neck. Use both hands for twice the speed, and avoid acne-areas. You can also DIY exfoliate your shoulders, upper torso, and anywhere where you’re prone to acne. Be careful if you have long nails. 

• You can use a very soft sponge or loofah if you prefer, although they might cause skin thinning so I prefer my own fingers (have not gotten any skin thinning issues so far after 10 years of self-exfoliation.

• This practice should be done twice a day in the shower as the water also helps wash away the dirt and sweat on your body. Do it in the morning before you go to school or work (to remove all the dirt and sweat accumulated during sleep), and in the evening after school or work (after collecting a day’s worth of crap outside). Also it is highly recommended to do it after sports or a long day outside.

• This simple yet effective practice only takes 5 minutes and will help keep your skin clean and much less prone to acne throughout the day and overnight.
  
  

• You are what you eat. So avoid red meat, especially beef (and double especially grilled or BBQ beef) as they are known to cause acne due to the amino acid called leucine. Leucine turns on a chain reaction that stimulates the skin’s oil glands and makes acne breakouts more likely [PremierHealth]. Furthermore, some beef, especially U.S. beef, may contain hormones which may further trigger acne.

• That isn’t to say you can’t eat beef or steak or burgers anymore, but do so in moderation. I also discovered that doing my self-exfoliation ritual soon after eating my favourite steak prevents acne breakouts.

• Avoid oily & deep fried food as it can also cause acne. As usual, eating everything in moderation is key.

• Some people observed that dairy products including milk and coffee, or foods high in sugars may also trigger their acne. In fact, I find consuming milk is better for my complexion, but try what suits you.

• You can also experiment with consuming more antioxidants including my favourite avocado (or avocado milkshake), green tea, and other fruits and vegetables.

3. LEAVE YOUR SKIN ALONE (**VERY IMPORTANT**)

• Avoid putting any pimple creams/lotions/patches on your face, just use good old water. I learnt the hard way from personal experience that these expensive creams or lotions touted by consultants, even “water-based” products, actually irritate my face even more and cause further breakouts. Two reasons why: They are blocking your skin pores and not allowing your skin to “breathe”, plus applying anything not 100% natural on your face is generally unwise.

• If some creams really do alleviate your acne problem, then you have to weigh their cost with effectiveness. Bottom line is: If the creams you are using are not producing tangible results, try my solutions and see how it goes for a month or two (no harm right?).

• Also avoid or do not apply hair gel, hair wax, heavy make-up, sunblock, and such on your hair/face as that may trigger acne.
  
  

• Lack of sleep and stress may also cause acne for some people. So get sufficient sleep and avoid over-stressing yourself at work or school if that triggers a breakout.

• Anything that messes with your hormones may cause pimples. This includes your period for the ladies, and taking hormone therapy for whatever reasons.

• And yes, babies can be a handful. For those with young kids, try to catch up on your sleep over the weekends.
  
  

• Certain sports such as running may make you more prone to acne outbreaks due to sweat and dirt clogging your pores. Other sports like cycling may also cause acne due to equipment like bike helmets used. 

• But the solution does not mean cooping yourself up indoors, completely shunning your favourite sports. Here are some suggestions for those sporty people with acne issues:

1. Shower and self-exfoliate as quickly as possible after the exercise.
2. Avoid eating acne-trigger foods such as red meat, oily or high sugar food in conjunction with intense exercise periods.
3. In extreme cases, you may choose to lay off those sports which may be causing severe acne (or switch to water-based or low-sweat sports like gym workouts or swimming).

SUMMARY