Category Archives: Skin Care & Treating Acne

The Sad Cycle of Skin Picking

At some point in your life you’ve heard or been told first hand “Don’t pop pimples” or “Don’t pick at that!” but did you really listen? The act of skin picking is not unknown, however, the truly disastrous effects which it creates are. While skin picking can range from occasionally popping a pimple to an actual disorder (Excoriation disorder) its effects are always negative. Skin picking can be brought on by stress, anxiety, boredom, disorders such as BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) or just out of habit. Regardless of the cause of it, it is counterproductive and damages the skin.

I decided to write this article because I personally have dealt with compulsive skin picking for years and I have finally put an end to the vicious cycle that it is. For me, skin picking meant spending hours of unintended time in front of a mirror scrutinizing what was on my face and attempting to pick it away. By this I mean extracting every possible blemish that met my eyes, even if it was extremely unnecessary. I referred to skin picking as “counterproductive” because while the goal is to ‘perfect’ imperfections, you only exacerbate the problem. This is because a pimple is basically a little ‘sack’ under the skin that contains oil, bacteria and inflammation. Squeezing or touching it can result in the ‘sack’ rupturing and these contents being spilled out and pushed into surrounding skin, ultimately multiplying the problem. *Apart from the cosmetic impact of recurrent skin lesions and scarring, skin picking can lead to serious infections, anxiety, shame, and depression (Lisa Zakhary MD,PhD). These results are what makes it so vicious; you start by trying to eliminate an issue and find yourself creating so many more- on your face no less!

Once I realized I was the cause of my clearly worsening skin state, I developed some skills that would help to manage the urge to pick, pop, or squeeze. I began to make it harder for myself to be in an environment that allowed me to act on my impulses, meaning staying away from mirrors as much as possible. Standing in front of a mirror with the intention of quickly washing my hands or brushing my hair turned into a face examination analysis every time, without fail. This inevitably would lead to a session of skin picking that would last from minutes to hours and leave me feeling worse than I initially did. By forcing myself to look away from the mirror and focus on/think of anything else I created a different environment for myself, one where my skin picking urges could not thrive off of my trigger(s).

Aside from mental fortitude, some physical skills to use as an alternative to picking include handling your blemishes in the proper and safe way such as using ice. You can use an ice cube or a sanitized ice pack (I personally use a Soothie Q) and ice the blemish for about a minute or so. This helps to alleviate inflammation and sometimes can even stop a pimple in its tracks. After this, I apply a spot treatment such as Face Reality’s Sulfur Spot Treatment followed by an application of PRIIA’s Calm Down Anti- Blemish powder.

End the skin picking cycle and treat your skin like the fragile, beautiful, organ that it is.

*REF: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/author/lzakhary

How to Knock Out a Zit

Ah the joys of being almost 46 and STILL being acne-prone. Yes, I’m nearly middle-aged and I can still manage to get a zit. Most of the time this happens when I don’t pay attention to what I’m eating (i.e. acne-triggering foods) and/or or when I’m testing out competitors’ products. I can truly be my own worst enemy at times.

Lately I’ve been craving peanut butter. Specifically peanut butter spread on a banana. I have no idea why (no, I am NOT pregnant). I really try to stay away from peanut products because peanuts are high in androgenic hormones which can cause acne flareups. The proof is in the pictures in this article. As a result of my peanut butter and banana debacle, a big ‘ol zit reared its ugly head right on my chin. I played and therefore, I paid.

This zit hurt- it was raised, very inflamed but there was no ‘head’ on it so I wasn’t able to try and extract anything.  For the record, I do NOT advise anyone to try and ‘pop’ their own zits. I’m a licensed esthetician and a certified acne specialist of over 12 years. I know exactly what to do and how to extract pimples properly so as not to cause scarring or further infection. I also know when NOT to try and extract a zit.  In this case, I had to use a great spot treatment ASAP otherwise this zit was going to get big enough to have its own zip code. Yikes!

How I Knocked Out This Zit

First, I removed my makeup and washed my face with PRIIA’s acne-safe makeup remover. I LOVE this stuff. My skin is left feeling clean and soft- not tight and stripped. After I cleansed, I used PRIIA’s Hydrating Skin Spritz as my toner. Both our makeup remover and Hydrating Skin Spritz are pH balanced. Yay! Then I applied ice to the zit for about a minute. (keep that ice cube moving so as not to cause any ‘ice burns’ on the skin).

Next, I sprayed one pump of Hydrating Skin Spritz into the palm of my hand. I then sprinkled some of PRIIA’s Calm Down Anti-Blemish Powder into my palm and I made a thin paste. I applied this paste to my zit and went to bed. I only slept about 5.5 hours (my cats woke me up waaaay too early) this night but you can see in the picture how the inflammation was significantly reduced. The zit was no longer raised. It no longer hurt. It had basically just turned into a small flat light red spot. I did the same treatment the following night before bed and by the next morning it had faded away almost completely.  I’m thrilled with the results. A bonus was that the skin surrounding the zit did NOT get dry, flaky or irritated from the Calm Down Powder paste. Winning!!!!

I highly suggest giving this blemish spot treatment a try!

*Medical Disclaimer: The contents on this site are for informational purposes only, and should never be a used as a substitute for seeking the advice of a medical professional.  No content or products on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition.  PRIIA® Cosmetics assumes no liability for any claims arising out of the misuse, allergic reactions, or any injury suffered with the consenting use of the products offered/suggested on this site.

 

Breaking Out During Seasonal Changes

*Article posted with permission from Blooming Skin Care & Acne Clinic in Bloomington, Indiana.

Autumn Means Acne Flairs for the Blemish Prone
Acne flares seem more common in many of my clients during late September and October. Research surrounding seasonal changes done by French Endocrinologist Alain Reinberg supports that the lessoning length of daylight can trigger hormone fluctuations that contribute to acne flares. My theory, a little too much fun this summer has resulted in a delayed flare.
How could that be? It takes as little as 14 days or up to 90 days for a clogged pore to turn into a pimple. Realistically the stuff you’ve been doing or NOT doing for the last few months, (like you are using your customized home care) are probably contributing.

Think back to all the things you were doing just a few weeks ago.
Summer sun burns and tanning of all kinds can result in acne. They usually pop up several weeks later after those sundried dead skin cells have become trapped, yet again, in the pores.
Summer Heat & Humidity causes the stratum corneum to swell. This puts pressure on the fragile follicle walls.

A high carbohydrate diet – basically, processed foods like bread and refined grains that are quickly broken down into sugar – can have a terrible effect on skin. The theory is that refined carbs cause your insulin levels to spike, which in turn leads to increased sebum production and clogged pores.

Noncompliance! Skipping home care, even if it’s just a few times at camp or at a sleep over, allows cellular debris to start piling up in the pores once again. You may not notice breakout immediately but in the weeks and months to come.

Stress, the BIG one! Doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad stress. Moving, starting a new job, going away to college… all rank right up there as some of the top acne contributors.

1. Swimming Pools-chemicals used to clean pools contain ingredients that aggravate the follicle.
2. Summer Foods-Vacations and BBQ’s are full of acne causing foods. Although certain foods do not cause acne they are a major factor on your acne occurrence and severity.
3. Summer Heat-Bacteria loves a nice warm environment and the heat of summer is like heaven to P.Acnes Bacteria. Your clogged pores have had all summer to “grow” bacteria and now they are manifesting into acne lesions. This is why we tell you to ICE!
4. Sleep Overs/Camps-It’s really hard to stay on track with your home care routines with all this fun stuff going on. Inconsistent product usage WILL catch up with you!

If you find yourself breaking out and would like some guidance, schedule a consultation to start with Christy at Blooming Skin Care & Acne Clinic in Bloomington, Indiana or with your local esthetician.

Hydrate Versus Moisturize: What’s The Difference?

When we hear the words ‘hydrate’ and ‘moisturize’ most people tend to think that the two terms are interchangeable.  This would be incorrect.

A hydrating product is something that helps to increase the moisture/water content of the skin. Hydrating products tend to be in a water-based formula such as PRIIA’s Hydrating Skin Spritz or a gel-type of product such as Face Reality’s Hydrabalance.

A moisturizer is a product that helps hold moisture/water already in the skin and prevents this moisture from leaving the skin which is called TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Moisturizing products tend to be in a more emollient formula such as Face Reality’s Clearderma moisturizing creme or DermaTruth’s gel/creme antioxidant moisturizer.

Which skin type for which product?

Well, I think both are great for all skin types!  Use a hydrating product product FIRST and then seal in that moisture with an actual moisturizer!  Just make sure they are acne-safe if you’re an acne-prone individual. (the products mentioned in this post are all acne-safe)

 

 

Swimming and Acne: What’s the Connection?

I just love a nice dip in the pool. It clears my mind and I feel so refreshed when I’m swimming. Unfortunately, my skin doesn’t like the pool.  I breakout.  Maybe you do too. Here’s why there’s a direct correlation between swimming and acne breakouts.

Pools have to be disinfected in order to not be a public health hazard.  Unfortunately, those disinfectants are made up of chlorine and iodides.  Both of these materials are known irritants for acne-prone skin.  The same is true for salt water pools- the sodium chloride is an acne-aggravator.

Does this mean you should avoid swimming at all costs if you have acne? No.

This may sound strange but apply a very thin layer of Vaseline to your face (and body if you have body acne) before going into the pool.  The thin coating of Vaseline will act as an occlusive barrier to the pool’s chemical disinfectants. Despite what you may have read on the Internet, Vaseline will NOT clog your skin- it is non-comedogenic.  The molecule is simply too large to penetrate the pores.

Don’t want to use Vaseline on your face? Consider using PRIIA’s Acne-Safe Lip Treatment Balm. It will do the same thing as Vaseline: it will create an an occlusive barrier protecting your skin from those acne aggravating chemicals PLUS it has some pretty great skin soothing ingredients in it as well. 

After swimming, don’t forget to shower immediately! Use our acne-safe makeup remover first to breakdown the Vaseline or balm and then use a skin type appropriate cleanser to thoroughly cleanse the face and body.

Acne Cosmetica: Breakouts From Makeup

If you’re an acne-prone individual, you need to be careful with the cosmetic products you’re using as many contain hidden pore clogging ingredients.  When you breakout from makeup, this is a condition known as ACNE COSMETICA.

The most frustrating part about Acne Cosmetica is that you may be using products that say: “won’t clog your pores”, “hypoallergenic” or “oil-free” yet they are actually what’s causing your breakouts or making your existing acne worse.

Another frustration many acne sufferers experience is that the products they’re using may have been orginally safe for acne but now the formula has changed and it’s comedogenic.  There is no way to know if a formula has changed unless you check the ingredient decks with every purchase. Let’s be honest- most consumers don’t check ingredient labels with the FIRST purchase nevermind with subsequent purchases. Plus, the large cosmetics manufacturers CONSTANTLY change their formulas.  At the end of the day, the acne-prone consumer is left feeling confused, frustrated and defeated when breakouts occur and yet they haven’t changed anything within their routine.

What should you do?  BE YOUR OWN ACNE ADVOCATE.

But how do you become your own advocate to avoid Acne Cosmetica?  Use PRIIA’s PORE CLOGGERS LIST to check your products’ ingredient decks.  In all honesty, this is an arduous task and this list is by no means the “be all end all” of pore clogging ingredients but it’s a good start. Your best bet?  Switch out your cosmetics to our line, PRIIA minerale-derm.  Our formulas are not only 100% acne-safe but they’re also beneficial to acne-prone skin.  They are non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic which means they won’t clog your pores OR contribute to acne breakouts. Our products have helped thousands of acne sufferers.  Give us try today.  It’s a step in the right direction on the path to having clear skin!

#prettyinpriia

Acne Mechanica: Breakouts From Working Out?

Do you play sports?  Do you exercise?  Are you wearing sports and exercise clothing and equipment?  Have you noticed that you’re experiencing breakouts happening where your sports bra or helmet touches?  If you answered “yes”, you are experiencing something called ACNE MECHANICA.

When you’re working out or playing sports, pores that are clogged are being subjected to pressure and friction from your clothing and/or workout gear. The debris and bacteria trapped inside the pores will then erupt into a papule or pustule. Sweating during your activities and not washing it off afterwards also aggravates the follicles which can lead to breakouts.

So, what are you supposed to do?  Stop working out? Stop playing your favorite sports activities? NO. You need to prevent the pores from being clogged in the first place. First things first: Immediately shower off after your activity using a non-comedogenic cleanser for the face and body such as the Ultra Gentle Cleanser.  Then, apply an exfoliant such as Mandelic Serum or Salicylic Serum to keep the dead skin cells from building up. Lastly, use a Benzoyl Peroxide acne medication to kill the bacteria inside the pores so pimples don’t have the opportunity to form. Acne Mechanica is preventable.

PS! Don’t forget to put on some loose fitting clothing after showering- nothing too tight on your body AND becareful- wear white clothing when using Benzoyl Peroxide as it will bleach fabric.

When you know how to properly cleanse pre and post workout/sports, you won’t need to choose between having clear skin or being physically active.  You can have the best of both worlds!

Supplements: Good Choices for Acne-Prone Skin

The following supplements have been found to be useful in aiding your recovery from acne; especially inflamed and cystic acne.

Zinc Monomethionine

This form of zinc is the most bio-available form that acts directly as an anti-inflammatory. Many people with acne have low levels of zinc in their body. Supplementing with zinc has been shown to reduce the severity of cysts and inflamed lesions.  OptiZinc is the brand we recommend.

Important Information about Zinc: These supplements can upset your stomach. To prevent nausea, always take OptiZinc with food. Zinc is an essential trace element for humans and there is evidence that it is similar to antibiotics in improving the condition of inflamed acne. The effective dosage is not clear. However, most studies indicate 50-100mg (The OptiZinc tablet has 30MG). We advise you to not take any more than 100mg because excessive zinc may lead to deficiencies in other vitamins and minerals. One of the reasons that we like OptiZinc is that it contains copper and copper is one of the minerals that can be depleted by taking zinc supplements. We are also recommending that you discontinue taking the zinc once you are completely clear. We are not recommending this as a preventative.

Omega 3 Fish Oils

Fish oil is a great anti-inflammatory and helps to alter sebum production; HOWEVER, only if it’s molecularly distilled or pharmaceutical grade. Unfortunately, many fish oil supplements are oxidized which actually creates more inflammation.

Instructions for taking fish oil capsules for your acne: Research and anecdotal evidence suggests that many of us who suffer from chronic inflammatory acne may benefit from taking relatively higher doses (1000-1700mg) of purified omega- 3 oils present mostly in wild ocean fish such as salmon, mackerel, cod and herring. Omega-3 oils are anti-inflammatory and the body utilizes them in many ways. Of particular relevance to acne sufferers, they may help regulate hormones and in addition help to shorten the intensity of your breakout.
*Please note: Although there is no known toxicity associated with using fish oils over long term, you should check with your physician particularly if you have a chronic underlying illness or are pregnant. The fish oil capsules we recommend are OmegaVia and are of therapeutic quality and are enteric coated to help assimilate the omega-3‘s in the most efficient way possible. In addition they are formulated not to have a fishy after taste and are guaranteed burp free. Consider taking 1 capsule/2 capsules with the lightest meal of the day.

Probiotics

These are good bacteria that colonize the digestive tract and the skin. They can help people who have been on long-term antibiotics (both oral and topical). These good bacteria compete with the pathogenic bacteria and can help improve the incidence of breakouts.  A good over-the-counter brand is Align Probiotics.

*The above article is intended for information purposes only and should not be construed as or substituted for medical advice.  Always check with your physician before taking any supplements. 

*information source: Face Reality

Wash Your Face Pre and Post Workout!

Getting in daily exercise is important for overall health and well-being.  An important skin care tip to remember is to wash your face both pre and post workout.

If you’re someone who works out in the morning, you definitely want to wash your face BEFORE exercising.  I know you’re probably thinking, “What’s the point? I’m going to have to wash my face again as soon as I’m done.”  Yes, you are correct about washing your face after you exercise but allow me to explain why you should also cleanse your skin BEFORE you work out…

If you’ve used any type of ‘active’ products on your skin the night before such as retinoids (Vitamin A), alpha hydroxy/ beta hydroxy acids (lactic, glycolic, salicylic, mandelic serums), prescription skin care or acne medications such as benzoyl peroxide, then they need to be rinsed off of your skin prior to working out.  Why?  When you sweat, it will mix with these products which can cause redness, irritation and dryness which leads to inflammation.  Sweat can also mix with sebum (facial oil) which leads to clogged pores. It takes just a minute or two to wash up before working out.  Do it.

After your workout, you need to wash your face to cleanse away sweat and bacteria to prevent your pores from getting clogged.  Do this within 15 minutes or so of completing your workout. Leaving sweat on your face after exercising can cause irritation and dehydration because sweat contains salt. If you’re short on time, you can use a baby wipe to quickly remove sweat and then rinse your face with some tepid water. But, make sure you do a proper face cleanse as soon possible.  Baby wipes are only to be used in a pinch and make sure they are acne-safe and fragrance free!  The one I recommend is Kirkland brand which is available at Costco.

Last but certainly not least, after washing your face remember to use your toner and moisturizer as well as SPF (if during the day).

Coming soon to PRIIA is Face Reality Skin Care!  You’ll be able to pack acne-safe skin care products in your gym bag to keep your skin clear and healthy!

Acne Safe Foods

In our last post, we discussed the top foods that aggravate acne and those are: iodides and foods containing high amounts of androgens, such as peanut butter.  In today’s article, we will discuss which foods are acne safe and better choices for overall health.

It’s understandable that you may feel a bit frustrated after looking over the list of foods that should be eliminated or reduced if you have acne.  Don’t despair!  There are some really wonderful substitutes for you to begin enjoying right now.

Instead of using iodized salt, use Sea Salt, Uniodized salt or Celtic Salt.  My favorite salt brand is Redmond’s Real Sea Salt.  Substitute cow’s milk with unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk or rice milk.  *Be aware that some Almond Milk brands contain Carrageenan ( a seaweed derivitive used as a thicknener) which is a NO NO.  Always read the ingredient labels carefully! My favorite safe choice is Silk’s Unsweetened Vanilla Cashew milk.

If you enjoy fish, opt for fresh water varieties such as bass, trout and catfish.  If you like cheese, try a nut cheese instead.  For protein shakes, avoid whey and instead opt for pea protein, egg white powder and hemp.  Still check the ingredient labels though because sometimes manufacturers will add iodides and biotin.  A safe choice for protein shakes is: Vega Sport Performance and also Perfect Fit.

Stay away from the peanut butter and choose acne-safe nut butters such as Almond, Cashew, etc. My favorite non-gritty creamy smooth Almond butter is called ‘Barney Butter’.  It’s delicious!

For cooking & salad oils, swap out the peanut, canola and corn oil for extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter (Kerry Gold brand), coconut oil and avocado oil.  The best olive oil is California Olive Ranch brand.  It’s 100% real extra virgin olive oil.  Most olive oils on the market are actually cut with canola oil, soybean oil and rapeseed oil- all of which are high in Omega 6’s and are very inflammatory!

It’s a really good idea to look at your diet and cut way down on wheat and processed foods in general. These types of foods cause a lot of inflammation in the body and negatively affect good gut bacteria. Instead, enjoy more fresh veggies and some fruits.  Fruits are high in natural sugars, so you’ll want to consume fruit in moderation so you don’t raise your blood sugar levels too high.

In general, a low-glycemic diet with fresh organic vegetables, organic/grass fed meats & butter (or other safe protein choices if you’re Vegan) along with reducing (or eliminating acne trigger foods) is always a safe bet for better skin health and overall well-being.

*the information contained in this article is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your physician before starting any new diet/food plan.