How to Give Your Acne-Prone Skin a Good Spring Cleaning!

Spring has been well under way for a few weeks now, but even if you’ve already cleaned your house and home, there’s always time for a thorough skin cleansing ritual as well!

Many acne sufferers complain of increased breakouts during the warmer spring and summer months, when our skin gets hit hardest with a catastrophic combination of skin-damaging factors – the drying effects of the sun, extra dirt and debris buildup from the outdoors…all of this “attacks” our skin. In order to coexist with the change in weather, it’s important to keep a few key issues in mind when looking to maintain an acne-free complexion, taking care not to neglect your self-care, and skin care, when spring cleaning this year.

Before treating acne, it’s important to understand just how this condition affects the body, and skin. Acne is attributed to a hormonal imbalance, which can affect the function of the sebaceous glands, whose job it is to create sebum, or oil. This oil travels along the pore to hydrate and protect the skin on the surface. When too much sebum becomes clogged within a pore and pairs with dead skin cells from the surface, bacteria forms, triggering an inflammatory response from the body. This process is known as the acne cascade, and usually results in red, swollen bumps known as pimples, a symptom of acne.

Steps to Spring Clean Your Skin Outside and Inside

Because acne symptoms are caused by both internal and external factors, your best bet for achieving results is to treat the condition accordingly. Luckily, the natural bounty that comes with budding plants and warmer days provides a wealth of organic yet powerful ingredients to work with, and can make for a blissful, blemish-busting spa day at home that’s both affordable and effective.

Cleaning the surface: Clogged pores lead to acne and the combination of excess sebum with dead skin cells contribute to breakouts. Steaming the face will open pores, making it easier for skin to release dirt, oil and toxins. The heat will stimulate your blood flow, leaving you with a healthy glow. To create your own DIY herbal steam for spring, simply add 4 cups of water, a handful of mint (anti-bacterial), a handful of parsley (rich in vitamin C,) and the juice of half a lemon (cuts through oil) to a pot. Heat until steaming, then remove from the stove and place on a steady surface. Throw a towel over your head and let the steam bath work its magic for 10 minutes. Once your pores are opened and clean, you can proceed with the easiest mask you’ll ever use: a tomato mask for oily/acne-prone skin. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, antioxidants which fight off free radicals, and promote cellular turnover, which can diminish the appearance of acne scars over time. To create, simply slice a ripe tomato in half and rub onto the skin, rinsing away with lukewarm water after 15-20 minutes. To tighten up that freshly-cleansed skin, top off with this easy apple cider vinegar toner to reduce inflammation and further cleanse the surface of your complexion.

Cleaning from within: There’s no better time than spring to implement some fresh fruit and veggies into your diet, and certain varieties can actually reduce the body’s inflammatory response, which can reduce acne symptoms such as pimples and cysts. Antioxidant-rich berries such as blueberries and strawberries make for a wonderful seasonal choice, as do leafy greens such as spinach, and parsley. If you’re on the go, you can mix any or all of those items into a smoothie with a dash of ginger or turmeric for a nice bit of added, anti-inflammatory spice. For heavier fare, look to fresh fish such as this ginger-rubbed black cod to get your omega 3 and protein fix in one tasty dish!

While spring cleaning can make for a wonderful ritual, you’ll need to go a little deeper if you wish to treat acne and achieve lasting results. One way to be sure that your acne won’t go haywire is to maintain a treatment that is always working, no matter what the weather is outside, and AcnEase, a systemic solution to treating acne, does just that. Creating a buffer between the sebaceous glands and hormones to ensure that only the amount of sebum needed to maintain healthy skin is being created, AcnEase works to prevent acne before it starts, while simultaneously treating existing acne symptoms. Since AcnEase is always working for you, no matter how mild or severe your acne symptoms may be, it can actually help ease the seasonal transition’s effects on your skin, allowing you to enjoy your warmer days worry-free, and acne-free as well!