by Grace Min

Let’s face it, teen acne can get uber frustrating but you’re not alone! As you probably learned in health class (or from awkward talks with your parents), teenagers go through crazy hormonal changes during puberty. This can get your skin out of whack causing it to break out due to increased oil production. If your skin’s oil production isn’t balanced, it’ll promote bacterial growth & inflammation leading to pimples and frustration. Whether you’re going to school virtually or in-person, we want you to feel your best and take this school year head on! 

Here are some gems that can help your skin get crystal clear. 

First, patience. That’s right! First and foremost, have patience with your breakouts. When we get impatient with them, we start to pinch, poke, or possibly overdue it on acne treatments. This can end up irritating your skin even more or promote scarring making it even harder to get rid of. Allowing your skin to heal through time will only benefit you in the long run. Pimples can be persistent but starting to care for it the right way will lower your risk of them getting worse and better your chances of getting them clear. So do your best to not pick at your pimples. If you’re a picker, try our dermatologist-approved Avarelle Acne Cover Patch to act as a protective barrier while helping your blemish heal. 

Common acne-triggers. Acne-causing bacteria, clogged pores, inflammation, and excess sebum are triggers for developing acne. Signs of acne include pimples (pustules), cystic lesions, black heads, white heads, or small red bumps (papules). Whether you have one or all, let’s get these babies under control.

Consistent skincare routine. Get TikTok-ready with a consistent skincare routine. Start with a gentle cleanser that is formulated with salicylic acid; once in the morning and once at night. This will help kill acne-causing bacteria and exfoliate your dead skin cells away as if you were detoxifying any negative vibes that came at you this year. Good vibes only!

Then follow with a gentle serum that combats acne. Here are some ingredients to look for that help with unclogging pores, reducing bumps, resurfacing skin, and anti-inflammatory (always looks for gentle formulas): 

• Lactic Acid
• Retinol or Retinoid
• Niacinamide

Finally, finish with a non-comedogenic and oil-free moisturizer to lock in all that goodness. If it's the morning, always apply your sunscreen after you moisturize. Acne under the sun can cause your pimples to darken. *If you wear makeup, look for oil-free formulas that are also non-comedogenic.

Stay Hydrated from the inside out. If you and your skin are dehydrated and dry, your skin will go into overdrive producing more oil to compensate for the lack of water. As we read above, one of the acne triggers is excess oil. Help your skin out by drinking lots of water and staying consistent with your skincare routine.