Break outs are the worst. I don't have much acne, but when I do break out I feel like that's all people can see. While some breakouts are inevitable, I've been able to minimize them by making some lifestyle changes that give me bright, clear skin most days. Read on for tips and tricks to beat break outs!
2: Liver — Slow down party girl! This area is linked to poor liver function, so cut back on the alcohol for a little while.
4 & 10: Kidneys — You're dehydrated! Cut out alcoholic beverages, caffeine and soda. Limit yourself to one cup of coffee a day, and replace with naturally caffeinated, anti-oxidant rich green tea!
5 & 9: Respiratory system — Got allergies? Pop some allergy meds and most likely more than just your stuffy nose will clear up.
6 & 8: Kidneys — Dark circles are often caused by allergies, dehydration or lack of sleep. If you're sleeping a lot and you drink plenty of H20 consider visiting an allergist to get tested for a bigger problem.
7: Heart — Check your blood pressure and make sure you’re using oil free make up.
12: Stomach — Detox for a couple of days- try to cut out processed foods that are full of breakout inducing sodium and sugar. Opt for a diet rich in unprocessed fiber and protein.
11 & 13: Hormones — Stress and hormonal changes are the hardest to fix, but you can get rid of breakouts in these areas by changing your lifestyle for the long term. Up your water intake from 8 glasses a day to about 12. Get an intense workout in 5 days a week (you should be sweating!) for at least 30 minutes per session. The endorphins released during your workout will fight stress hormones that cause breakouts. To combat hormonal breakouts that are often associated with puberty, try to add a multivitamin (specifically rich in B vitamins) to clear up your skin. Add superfoods like sweet potatoes, acai berries and avocados to your diet. Make sure to get at least 9 hours of sleep per night if you really want flawless skin. If all else fails, visit your derm who can check for a hormonal imbalance.
14: Illness — Can be a sign of your body fighting bacteria to avoid illness. Drink extra water and get extra rest.
My skin is super sensitive to my lifestyle. When I'm going through a period of emotional or physical stress, I often break out as well as if I stop working out. Getting 10 hours of sleep sounds ridiculous, but when I get a particularly persistent break out, I apply Kate Sommerville's EradiKate on blemishes before bed with a Q Tip and turn off my alarm to catch some extra zzz's.
Also, while we're talking about sleep, I read this article in The UK Daily Mail about a woman who didn't take off her make up before going to bed for 30 days straight (yikes). During that month, her face aged ten years. Yes, you read that right. Ten. Years. So, ladies (and gents- not judgement), make sure your take off your make up before hitting the hay. And if you're too tired to do your whole face washing routine, try Philosophy's Purity Facial Cleanser or Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser- both are safe to use for removing eye make up as well as removing dirt and debris!
Here's to clear skin!
xoxo
xoxo