Tag Archives: clogged pores

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!

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!

True or False: Mineral Oil Will Clog Your Pores- PART 2

In my last post, I posed the question: “Will mineral oil clog your pores?”

The answer is “No.”  Today’s cosmeceutical grade of mineral oil is very different from its counterpart of days gone by.  It’s a myth that the mineral oil used in industry is the same as the one used for cosmetic purposes.

However, the problem I have with mineral oil is that it IS a petroleum derivative.  I choose not to formulate with ingredients like mineral oil for this reason.  Even though it is effective in helping to dissolve hardened sebum plugs within the pores, I can think of better choices to use for this purpose such as Jojoba oil.

So there you have it.  Despite what some companies may have you believe, mineral oil is not comedogenic.  However, if using a petroleum derivative is just not your style, then simply opt for another solution such as HIGH LINOLEIC safflower or sunflower oil.  These oils are excellent for acne-prone skin because research has shown acne skin types are deficient in linoleic oil.

 

 

Do Pores Open and Close?

This morning I was inspired to write a post about pores and if it’s possible for them to open and close. The inspiration came from a friend who asked me if getting a facial would help ‘open her blocked pores’.  It was at that moment when the light bulb went off over my head.  I decided it was time to debunk this common beauty myth.

Woman thinking  How many times have you heard this?  Steaming the face will ‘open’ the pores.  Or, what about this: Splashing cold water on the face or using a toner after cleansing will help to ‘close’ the pores.  Chances are you’ve probably heard both statements at one time or another.

Well, the truth is pores DO NOT open and close.  Pores are NOT doors. Pores (the opening to the follicles) do not have muscles in order to do this.  Facial steaming simply hydrates the surface of the skin, making it more ‘flexible’ to work with; especially if extractions need to be performed.  Using a cold water splash or toner makes the capillaries constrict giving a temporary tightening sensation to the skin.  If you’ve ever done a homemade egg white masque on yourself, you know the feeling I’m talking about.

The best way to treated your blocked pores is to visit a licensed skin care professional; preferably one who specializes in the treatment of acne. They can perform professional extractions and recommend the proper home care products to assist in keeping your pores from getting blocked.