5 Suspects Causing You To Break Out | Acne Tips

Have you ever wondered why you are still prone to breakout, even though you have been extra diligent in choosing your skincare/makeup products?

Last week, I mentioned about the external and internal factors could be the reasons that lead to your breakouts — "Clear Acne From The Inside Out". Apart from that, there are things we come in contact with on a daily basis could also be the culprits behind your breakouts. I have nabbed a few suspects, so let's start the investigation!

Suspect 1: Your Pillowcase

Crime: Causing breakouts on your face and/or the sides of your face

Your pillowcase is a nasty cesspool of bacteria! Why? Your hair and face secrete sebum naturally. And when you press them against your pillow, the sebum get rubbed off and absorbed by your pillowcase; not to mention, some of you drool and sweat when you are asleep eh? As a result, your pillow become a breeding ground for bacteria. When your face comes in contact with your pillow, the grime and bacteria re-contaminate your skin and BAM! BREAKOUTS!

Fix It: Change and wash your pillowcase (and bed sheets) every few days or weekly.

Suspect 2: Your Makeup Tools (sponges, brushes etc.)
Crime: Causing breakouts on your face

Much like Suspect 1 — Each time you use your makeup tools, they collect and trap leftover makeup, sebum, dirts and sweat, which make a perfect flourishing surroundings for bacteria to build their colony. If you continue using the tools, you are transferring the grime and bacteria to your face thus, increasing the chances of getting breakouts.

Fix It: Sanitize and wash your makeup tools after every use or at least once a week.

Suspect 3:  Your Cell Phone

Crime: Causing breakouts on your jawline and/or the sides of your face

Think about what your cell phone goes through a day. Your hands are full of germs and with all the texting, snapping, scrolling on your cell phone, plus you put your phone on the public table, toss it in your bag etc. ... all of these actions transfer a lot of bacteria onto your device, which can then get transferred to your face when you are making or answering a call.

Fix It: Clean your cell phone by wiping the screen with anti-bacterial wipe regularly. (I personally use Anti-Bacterial Wet Wipes from Dettol.) Alternatively, you can consider using a head/ear-phones to reduce the chances of your cell phone touching your face.

Suspect 4: Your Diet
Crime: Causing breakouts on your face

As I've mentioned before in "Clear Acne From The Inside Out", some types of foods increase oil and hormone production, heat and toxic in the body, which can cause you to breakout.

Fix It: Avoid oily, spicy, junk foods and/or dairy products. Consider keeping a food diary and monitoring your skin can help you find out if a certain food is constantly causing you to breakout.

Suspect 5: Your Eyeglasses (Sunglasses/Spectacles etc.)
Crime: Causing breakouts on your temples and the sides of your nose

Your makeup can get stained on the frame. In addition, sebum, dead skin cells, dirt and sweat get trapped easily on and under the frame too. The build-up can cause clogged pores and the growth of bacteria, leading to breakouts.

Fix It: Keep your eyeglasses free from grime by washing under water or wiping them with anti-bacterial wet wipes. If you wear makeup, make sure you thoroughly wipe the areas that touch your skin with a makeup remover wipe.

Well, it is more than just choosing the right skincare/makeup products when it comes to battling acne. There are many "small" things that we use or do everyday might be to blame for the crime of causing breakouts — be vigilant!

Check out my other articles:
- "My Acne Story"
- "Understanding The Types Of Acne — Whitehead, Blackhead, Papule, Pustule, Cyst, Nodule"
- "Understanding The Acne Fighters — Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Tea Tree oil"
- "5 Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations"

Suspects Causing You To Break Out | Acne Tips

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Understanding The Types Of Acne — Whitehead, Blackhead, Papule, Pustule, Cyst, Nodule | Acne Tips

There are many different types of acne ranging in severity from mild to severe. So in order to treat your acne, you must first identify the zit that you are dealing with.

Credit: I do not own the picture of nodule. I found it on google. But the rest are mine!

So, What Are Acne?
"Acne Vulgaris", commonly known as pimples, occur when facial oil, also called sebum, and dead skin cells clog the skin's pores. Once the pores are clogged, pimples start forming and attract bacteria, leading to inflammation.

The Types Of Acne:
The most common types of acne are whitehead, blackhead, papule, pustule and cyst. Nodule is less common; it is similar to a cyst, but is more painful and larger in size. I will explain more on nodule later. Let's start from whitehead.

- Whitehead (mild)
Whitehead appears as a flesh-colored, white tiny bump on the surface of the skin. It is simply a clogged pore form underneath the skin and is usually not red or sore (not inflamed). Good news is it's mild and easy to treat! Exfoliation can help to treat and keep it at bay.

- Blackhead (mild)
A blackhead is similar to a whitehead, but the top is exposed to the air which causes the sebum to oxidize and changes from white to black. Treat and prevent it by exfoliating with an exfoliator. You can have it professionally extracted as well.

- Papule (moderate)
A papule appears as a small, red-pink inflamed bump on the skin with no "head" and can be tender to the touch. It occurs when a closed comedone (whitehead) is infected by bacteria, leading to inflammation. It can get irritated easily, so avoid squeezing it. Anyway, it will progress and grow into a pustule.

- Pustule (moderate)
A pustule is an inflamed, nasty bump appears as a red spot with a white or yellow centre filled with pus. It is generally painless and occurs when a mixture of oil, dead skin cells and bacteria rising to the surface. If you have to pop it, you have to make sure that you do it properly because if you do it in the wrong way, it may cause damage to your skin and may lead to permanent scarring.

- Cyst (moderate-severe)
A cyst is similar to a nodule but they are NOT technically one and the same. A cyst is a red, painful, pus-filled lesion occurs under the skin and is usually triggered by hormones spikes. It can remain on the skin for weeks.

- Nodule (severe)
The most severe types of acne and the toughest to treat. A nodule is a very painful, large, solid acne lesion that is lodge deep beneath the skin. The infection happens deeper beneath the skin's surface, so a topical spot treatment might not be useful as it only dry out the skin's top surface. As a result, it is hard to treat and may persist for weeks or even months.

Most of the acne (mild to moderate-severe) can be treated with over-the-counter products that contain active acne ingredient such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil. By identifying and understanding the type of your acne, you can determine the most suitable treatments to deal with them.

Read Understanding The Acne Fighters — Salicylic Acid .vs. Benzoyl Peroxide .vs. Tea Tree Oil to find out more on these acne ingredients and how they work on different types of acne. Also, check out my 5 Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations that I find work best to zap blemishes.

However, if you are plagued by many inflamed cystic and/or nodular acne (severe), I strongly advise you to seek medical advice. Understanding The Types Of Acne

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Clear Acne From The Inside Out + The Rules! | Acne Tips

Check out my personal experience with acne — "My Acne Story".

A pimple outbreak can be caused by internal and external factors, and the key to clear complexion is to take steps both internally and externally. Here are some rules that I abide by which helped me in getting rid of my acne.

Rule 1: A Good Skin Care Routine For Day and Night (external)
Clear skin starts from clean skin; and having a good skin care routine is an important step in achieving clear and clean skin.

A good skin care routine for acne skin doesn't require many products. A 3-4 step routine, consisting of *cleanser, toner [optional], moisturizer, spot treatment, for day and night is sufficient to treat acne.

*Side information:
- Cleanser removes the grime collected on your face, preventing the grime from clogging your pores; thus, prevents existing pimples from getting worse and keep breakouts at bay.

- Toner helps to clean off left over grime that has not been washed off by the cleanser. It also helps to restore the skin's natural pH level.

- Moisturizer hydrates the skin. Each time you cleanse your face, it strips skin of its natural oils. So by applying a moisturizer helps to replenish the loss. Always remember that a well-hydrated skin helps to slow down the rate of oil production and keep skin problems away.

- Zit zapper helps to soothe and speed up the healing process of a pimple, and a scar topical treatment helps to lighten post acne marks/scars. Check out my "5 Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations".

Make sure you choose products that are made specially for acne skin/problems. These usually contain ingredient like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil that fight acne and keep them at bay. Check out more information on the active acne ingredients: "Understanding The Acne Fighters — Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Tea Tree oil".

Rule 2: Stick To A Fixed Bedtime Schedule; Beauty Sleep~ (internal)
DO NOT mess with your natural sleeping schedule! Sleeping late or getting not enough sleep affects your hormone production and immune system, which can lead to an acne outbreak. You need to get 8 hours of sleep each night as your immune system requires energy to expel toxins built up in your body. Take note that your body "recharges" itself and dispels toxins, and your skin heals while you are asleep. So for the sake of a good and clear complexion, avoid being a night owl! Go to bed before 11pm everyday and get enough rest!

Rule 3: Watch Your Diet (internal)
Believe it or not, certain types of food may trigger acne! From my personal experience, I get breakout when I consume dairy products, seafoods (that are high in iodine: shellfish, shrimps, squids) or oily and spicy foods. These foods increase oil and hormone production, heat and toxic in the body, which can lead to breakout. You may want to stay away from these foods or cut down the intake.

P.S: I recommend to observe your diet and monitor your skin (acne) condition. This way it can help you uncover if a certain food is constantly causing you to breakout.

Rule 4: Drink, Drink, Drink! (internal)
Water works wonders for your skin. It helps to cool you down, transport nutrients and expel waste products. To flush the toxic substances from your body and maintain your skin's beauty, drink at least 8 glasses of fluids a day.

Rule 5: Pop Your Zits PROPERLY (external)
I have warned you readers many times not to pop your zits because if you do it in the wrong way, it may cause further damage to your skin, and may even lead to permanent scarring. But I know, it is hard to resist the temptation to pop them. So if you want to pop them, at least do it properly!

So, how to pop a pimple in the right way? This is my way of doing it~ :
Take action only if your pimple has come to a head at the tip. You can use a pimple extractor tool to pop the zit, but if you don't own one, you can use your fingertips (not fingernails).

Before you start popping your pimple, make sure your face and hands are clean. Wrap both of your index fingers with clean tissues and gently apply pressure on the edges of the pimple. Note: Avoid popping the pimple using your fingernails as it can cause skin injury! Once the head and excess pus pop out, clean it off with a tissue. Stop the squeezing once you see blood!

Next, paste a Nexcare Acne Patch over the open wound.

↑ This patch helps to absorb all the remaining pus embedded deep inside the pimple and prevents the pimple from reappearing.

Replace a new patch when the patch turns white (covered with pus). Keep using the patch until there is no sign of pus residue on the patch — that means the pus has been fully cleared up. I highly recommend to use the Nexcare Acne Patch instead of continue to squeeze the zit using your fingers because the patch is less damaging to the skin, yet it does an excellent job in drawing out the pus and clearing pimple!

P.S: Always make sure all the pus has come out, otherwise the zit might reappear.

So that's all for the rules! Start healing your acne from the inside out today! Do let me know if my tips work for you, yeah? Acne sufferers, press on, fighting~!♥

Any questions ask me at http://ask.fm/bitsdiaries. Shhh...I'm planning a live chat with you readers~ Stay tuned for that. 

Check out my other articles:

- "The DOs and DON'T For Acne Prone Skin".

- "5 Common Acne Treatment Mistakes + The Solutions"
- "5 Suspects Causing You To Break Out"

Clear Acne From The Inside Out

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Etude House AC Clinic White-Trouble Bubble Cleanser | Review

Trouble Bubble Cleanser Review At a reader's request, I will be posting a review on the Etude House AC Clinic White-Trouble Bubble Cleanser.

This is a bubble-type foam cleanser; with its rich creamy foam and micro bubble particles, it deeply cleanses the pores, melting down impurities and skin trouble inducing substances. It also helps to regulate PH balancing and protect skin from harmful environment.

The following are the key ingredients:

- Propolis Extract gives an anti-bacterial effect and supplies nutrients to dehydrated skin, as well as helps to revitalize it.

- Pine Resin protects skin from external damage. It also helps to moisturize skin and improve skin texture.

- Natural Herbal Complex contains Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Flower, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root and Laminaria Japonica extracts that provides antioxidant effect and helps to relieve skin troubles and irritation.

It has a 4-free system: Free of Paraben, Talc, Mineral Oil, Tar

What's more, it is non-comedogenic and clinically proven hypoallergenic!

The product comes in a plastic bottle with a pull-out (?) cap.

It has a smart pump dispenser that creates an airy, soft and fluffy foam. Cool, isn't it?

The micro-bubble particles penetrate and cleanse deeply into the pores, drawing out excess oil and dirt.

How To Use:
Pump out an adequate amount of foam on hands. Massage the bubble on face evenly then wash off with lukewarm water.

Tried and Tested + Verdict

As usual, let's put it into a test...

"Moisture + Oil Test"

on my forehead.

Here's the measurement guidelines for you to refer back to later:

*P.S. Analyzing Standards:

The standard value of moisture level is 38%++, 3-5 bars (normal to very moisturized).

The standard value of oiliness (skin type) is 3 bars (normal). - means balanced, which is neither too oily nor too dry.

The standard value of cells (roughness/softness) is average/soft.

BEFORE cleansing:

AFTER cleansing:

Skin's moisture decreased from 40% to 38%; remained at 3 bars.

Oiliness decreased from 5 bars to 4 bars.

Skin's cells (.aka. skin texture) remained average.

- *Results shown are after cleansing and before applying toner and moisturizer* -

The first thing I noticed was my skin didn't get that squeaky, tight feeling or irritation after cleansing. And it dried out my non-inflamed pimples in a few days, but it wasn't very effective against my inflamed pimples. Therefore, in my opinion, it is more effective against non-inflamed pimples like whiteheads, flesh-colored bumps.

Another thing I noticed was that this AC Clinic White-Trouble Bubble Cleanser gets used up faster than the AC Clinic Daily Acne Foam Cleanser, even though they have the same amount of product (150ml). So it may be a bit costly lah. Side information: I usually use one pump and it is sufficient to cleanse my face.

Overall, the Etude House AC Clinic White-Trouble Bubble Cleanser cleanses the skin without overly stripping away the natural oils and moisture. I think it is by far the most gentlest acne cleanser I have ever come across. Ideal for sensitive skin! The only drawback is it's not very effective against inflamed acne.

If you have a lot of red inflamed pimples, I would recommend the AC Clinic Daily Acne Foam Cleanser instead of this bubble one. Pick this only if your pimples are mostly non-inflamed zits.

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Caolion Pore Original Pack Mask | Review

Caolion Pore Original Pack Mask is a pore minimizing mask that tightens sagging and enlarged pores. It also controls sebum and improves overall skin's complexion.

It is formulated with the following active ingredients:
- Alaskan Glacial Water (0% regular distilled water) gives a refreshing cooling effects and enhanced pore tightening.
- Glacier Clay absorbs and draws away dead skin cells for translucent and clarified skin.
- Charcoal Powder that whisks away impurities, absorbs excess sebum and controls shine and grime.
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5) reinforces nature skin barrier.
- Hyaluronic acid creates long-lasting moisture barrier, leaving skin hydrated, supple and soft.
- Natural humectant retaining moisture, preventing the mask from cracking during drying.

It is free of... Alcohol, Synthetic Coloring, Synthetic Fragrances, Mineral Oil, Benzophenon, Paraben, Phenoxyethanol, Methychloroisothiazolinone, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Triethanolamine, Sulfate, Triclosan

The mask comes in a plastic jar with a plastic twist-off cap.

The opening is not sealed, but it has a thin plastic sheet covering the content.

The mask is very creamy and easy to glide evenly on the skin.

How To Use:

Apply evenly to clean, toned face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Gently rinse and remove with water.

For optimal pore purifying effect, it is recommended to use Caolion Blackhead Steam Pore Pack prior to this Pore Original Pack.

Step:

Cleanser — Caolion Blackhead Steam Pore Pack (optional)— Caolion Pore Original Pack — *continue with daily skin care routine*

TIP: Store in refrigerator prior to use for maximum astringent and calming effects.

Tried and Tested

As usual, let's put it into a test...

"Moisture + Oil Test"

on my cheek area.

Here's the measurement guidelines for you to refer back to later:

*P.S. Analyzing Standards:

The standard value of moisture level is 38%++, 3-5 bars (normal to very moisturized).

The standard value of oiliness (skin type) is 3 bars (normal). - means balanced, which is neither too oily nor too dry.

The standard value of cells (roughness/softness) is average/soft.

BEFORE applying the mask:

AFTER applying the mask:

Skin's moisture decreased from 3 bars to 2 bars; from 37% to 36%.

Oiliness decreased from 4 bars to 3 bars.

Skin's cells (.aka. skin texture) remained less soft.

- *Results shown are after cleansing and before applying toner and moisturizer* -

I usually use this mask once on a weekly basis after using Caolion Blackhead Steam Pore Pack. Sometimes I use it on my nose after using a pore (nose) strip.

After slathering this mask on my face, my skin immediately felt an instant tingly, minty cooling effect. The minty cooling effect was nice but I found it was a tad too strong, which made me mistakenly thought it was irritating my sensitive skin on my first try, but of course it was not! So if you are trying this mask for the first time, fret not! The strong tingly, minty cooling effect is absolutely normal! It actually helps to calm your skin (e.g skin troubles, redness) and tighten your pores.

After using this mask, I noticed an immediate reduction in sebum production the next day, but I didn't see a significant difference in the size of my pores. I only noticed a significant reduction in the size of my pores after using this mask for some time. Therefore, I concluded that it does control sebum and minimize pores, but it may take some time to see drastic results in pore size. Also, do take note that it is not going to make the pores disappear magically; it just minimizes the pores, making them look less apparent.

In terms of hydration, I don't find it hydrating, but it isn't very drying either. If you have dry/oily-combination skin, I would recommend to use it once every other week or you can just apply it to area where it is oily-prone and/or has pore concerns.

Overall, in my opinion, it is quite an effective pore minimizing mask as it does what it claims to do. It is worth a try!

Side Information - Brand Introduction:

Established in 1995, CAOLION Cosmetics has been making hypoallergenic cosmetics for sensitive skin for 18 years. The company launched natural cosmetics for the first time with a 3-free principle: pigment-free, fragrance-free, and alcohol free. At the present, the company has developed products that are exclude up to 17 adverse ingredients such as preservatives and mineral fibers. CAOLION was the first Korean brand to enter into LVMH (Louis Vuitton Monët Hennessy) Group's global cosmetics retail chain SEPHORA after being recognized as a quality natural cosmetic product for senstive skin after over two years of quality control. It is the only brand in Korea that's able to maintain an 18-year tradition and about one million loyal customers.

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Caolion Blackhead Steam Pore Pack | Review

Caolion Blackhead Steam Pore Pack is a pore purifying active-charcoal mask, that gives a steaming effect to deep cleanse, control sebum and exfoliate dead skin cells to improve skin complexion. It contains pure botanicals, herbs, and natural ingredients with antioxidant and nourishing properties for a smooth and clear skin.

It contains the following active ingredients:
- Charcoal Powder that removes excess sebum, impurities, and residual makeup that clog pores.

- Volcanic Ash that soothes and enhances troubled skin.

- Natural Carbonated Water (0% regular distilled water) that penetrates deeply into the pores, purifies and refines the skin.

- Grain Powder delicately exfoliates dead skin cells and promotes the natural turnover of skin cells.

It is free of Paraben, Alcohol, Mineral Oil, Benzoyphenol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Sulfate, Triclosan, Petroleum, Artificial Coloring, Fragrance

What's more, it is non-comedogenic! *bonus point hahaha~*

The product comes in a plastic jar with a plastic twist-off cap, and a spatula as shown in the first picture.

The opening is not sealed, but there is a thin protective plastic sheet covering the content.

The mask is very creamy and easy to spread evenly on the face. It doesn't feel dry or greasy at all.

It has small exfoliating beads/particles, which helps to buff away dull dead skin cells.

How To Use:
Apply evenly to clean, dry face and massage for 1-2 minutes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. For an optimal cleansing effect, massage it on the face again, focusing on the blackhead and whitehead -prone areas, before rinsing it off with cold water. Use once or twice a week.

It is recommended to use Pore Original Pack right after this Blackhead Steam Pore Pack to effectively tightens the pores.

Step:
Cleanser — Blackhead Steam Pore Pack — Pore Original Pack (optional) — *continue with your daily skin care routine*

Tried and Tested

As usual, let's put it into a test...

Moisture + Oil Test

on my nose area.

Here's the measurement guidelines for you to refer back to later:

*P.S. Analyzing Standards:

The standard value of moisture level is 38%++, 3-5 bars (normal to very moisturized).

The standard value of oiliness (skin type) is 3 bars (normal). - means balanced, which is neither too oily nor too dry.

The standard value of cells (roughness/softness) is average/soft.

BEFORE applying the mask:

AFTER applying the mask:

Skin's moisture decreased from 39% to 38%; but the bars remained at 3 bars.

Oiliness decreased from 5 bars to 4 bars.

Skin's cells (.aka. skin texture) remained average.

- *Results shown are after cleansing and before applying toner and moisturizer* -

I use this mask once on a weekly basis. The moment I applied this mask on my face, I can immediately feel a heating effect. The heating effect is not too hot, it is warm and gentle; and what it does is that it steams open the pores and draws out all the impurities being clogged in the pores.

In my opinion, this mask does what it claims to do! After rinsing it off my face, not only that I can feel my skin is clean and smoother, I also noticed my skin is less oily; and surprisingly, no breakouts in the next few days. In terms of blackheads, I didn't see a reduction in blackheads on my nose after just one usage. I only noticed some reduction in blackheads after two months of usage. Therefore, I concluded that this mask is effective in unclogging the pores and controlling sebum without overly stripping the skin, but it may require a significant amount of time to eliminate blackheads. However, it may not be effective against stubborn blackheads.

On the downside, I find the exfoliating beads are slightly harsh (a bit scratchy on the skin), but it did not irritate my sensitive skin. Hence, I think it is fine for sensitive skin, as long as you exfoliate (massage) gently and not too much.

If you are looking for a deep cleansing mask with a nice warm steaming effect, definitely give this a try!

By the way, I will usually proceed with Caolion Pore Original Pack to tighten my pores, and continue with my daily skin care routine.

Side Information - Brand Introduction:

Established in 1995, CAOLION Cosmetics has been making hypoallergenic cosmetics for sensitive skin for 18 years. The company launched natural cosmetics for the first time with a 3-free principle: pigment-free, fragrance-free, and alcohol free. At the present, the company has developed products that are exclude up to 17 adverse ingredients such as preservatives and mineral fibers. CAOLION was the first Korean brand to enter into LVMH (Louis Vuitton Monët Hennessy) Group's global cosmetics retail chain SEPHORA after being recognized as a quality natural cosmetic product for senstive skin after over two years of quality control. It is the only brand in Korea that's able to maintain an 18-year tradition and about one million loyal customers.

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Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Essence | Review

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Essence Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Skin Care line is based on Jeju's natural advantage of having volcanic clay clusters that come with superior sebum absorption and pore care capabilities.

Fun Fact: "Jeju Volcanic Clay, known as "the gift from god" found in nature, is alkalescent; empowered with nutrients and the ability to control sebum, remove dead skin cells, eliminate blackheads and purify pores. The yield is taken from the only uncontaminated part of Jeju, making it practically free of any impurities."

Last year, I wrote reviews for most of the products from this Jeju Volcanic line, and I will list them down at the end of this post with review links attached.

Today, I will be writing the long-awaited review on Jeju Volcanic Pore Essence, which I delayed for about year because I stopped using it for awhile due to dry skin issue.

Jeju Volcanic Pore Essence is a sebum control essence enriched with jeju volcanic cluster and green complex from pure jeju island, which help to control excessive sebum, remove shine and tighten loose, sagging pores.

It has 4-Free System — Free of parabens, mineral oil, animal ingredients and colorants

Usage: Pump out an appropriate amount and apply it all over your face.

Step: Cleanser — Toner — Lotion — Essence

The product comes in a plastic bottle with a plastic pull-off cap.

It also comes with a pump dispenser, which makes it easy to withdraw the essence.

The essence has a watery-like texture that feels lightweight. It goes on smoothly and gets absorbed quickly, but it does leave a very mild sticky residue on the skin.

It has a floral scent, which smells like the toner and lotion from Jeju Volcanic line.

Tried and Tested

As usual, let's put it into a test...

"Moisture & Oil Test"
on my very oily nose.

Here's the measurement guidelines for you to refer back to later:

*P.S. Analyzing Standards:

The standard value of moisture level is 38%++, 3-5 bars (normal to very moisturized).

The standard value of oiliness (skin type) is 3 bars (normal). - means balanced, which is neither too oily nor too dry.

The standard value of cells (roughness/softness) is average/soft.

BEFORE applying the essence:

AFTER applying the essence:

Skin's moisture increased from 44% to 46%; but the bars remained at 4 bars.

Oiliness decreased from 5 bars to 4 bars.

Skin's cells (.aka. skin texture) remained soft.

- *Results shown are after cleansing with toner and gel lotion applied.* -

Each time I apply this essence, it makes my skin feels smoother to the touch. But I didn't see a dramatic difference on my pores after a month of using this essence. However, I noticed the appearance of my pores has improved a lot after using this for over four months. Well...my pores are still there, but they are less visible now~!

In terms of oil-controlling, it did help to reduce sebum production and make my oily-prone areas feel less oily (as shown in the analyzing test). But in terms of moisturizing, in my opinion, it didn't help much. I guess that is the biggest drawback of this product.

Hence, if you have dry skin, I wouldn't recommend this. But if you have oily-combination skin like me, you can just apply it to area where it is oily-prone and/or has pore concerns. That's what I did because when I applied it to the whole face, it made my dry-prone areas to become drier. So far, it hasn't cause breakouts or irritations on my sensitive skin thus, I concluded it is sensitive-skin friendly.

Overall conclusion, it does what it claimed — helps to control sebum and tighten the pores in the long run. Aside from that, it is a good pore treatment to use after using a nose strip.

The following are other Jeju Volcanic Line products I have tried:

- Jeju Volcanic Cleansing Foam

- Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner

- Jeju Volcanic Pore Lotion

- Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

- Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

- Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask

They are all attached with links, so if you are interested, you can click on them to read the reviews. :)

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Dealing With Back Acne (PART 2): The DOs and DON'T

Dealing With Back Acne Acne is a very common skin problem faced by many people and it occurs when the pores in the skin become clogged by dead skin cells, oil and dirt. It does not only appears on your face, it can grow on your body as well.

Today, let's continue our talk on...

...

"BACK ACNE"

Before I share about the DOs and DON'T, let's continue from where we ended off..... Previously, I have shared about my friend's true (success) story on back acne. If you haven't read it, check it out by clicking the following picture:

P.S.: Some part of this post will be linking to the previous article, so be sure to read that before proceeding.

So... how do I help my friend to heal her back acne? Let me explain...

First, my friend told me the "history" of her skin care routine and skin condition before and during the breakouts period.

Here's a brief summary on the "history" of her skin....blah...blahh...blahhhh... :

                                                                                                                                                                                            She has very oily and acne prone facial skin, so all along she thought her body has the same skin type as her face. Hence, all the products she tried were designed for oily and acne prone skin; apparently none has worked out. Not to mention she used 100% tea tree oil, as a spot treatment after taking a shower, which also did not work out well. Alongside, she experienced rashes and itching that comes and goes each day. 

Then, I analyzed her skin using the moisture analyzer device, commonly seen in my reviews, and found out that her skin type was not what she thought it would be. At that point, her skin wasn't very oily in fact, it was super dry!

From what she told me, I started piecing up all the factors together and came to my conclusion [...] — The cause of her acne was definitely due to clogged pores (dead skin cells, oil, dirt). But what made her breakouts progressively worse was because of using the wrong products and treating methods, which irritate and constantly drying up her skin. Also, the continual use of the wrong products caused her skin to become sensitive.

At that time, her skin condition was partially infested with inflamed pimples, super dry and gets irritated easily. As a result, it wasn't easy to find a product that suits her (then) skin. After some trial and error, we finally found a product that works.

The product is called "Natural Real Mild Body Wash" and it's from Happy Bath.

In case you haven't heard of the brand "Happy Bath", here's an introduction I copied from YesStyle (lol):

                                                                                                                                                                                            Happy Bath infuses all-natural ingredients into its range of body care products for a truly pleasurable and refreshing bathing experience. Established in 2000, the brand carries an assortment of bath essentials ranging from facial cleansers to hand creams. Happy Bath manufactures all its products in South Korea and belongs to the AMOREPACIFIC group of brands alongside Laniege, Innisfree, Etude House and others.

Happy Bath carries many different types of body washes that are made of natural ingredients, so they aren't too harsh to use on the skin. I chose the Mild one because I believe it is the most gentlest to use on my friend's (then) skin.

Besides body wash, she also needs a gentle spot treatment to tackle her existing pimples. As I have always had good experiences with Etude House products, I suggested to her to give Etude House's "OMG! Trouble Break Mist (Spray)" a try.

She did, and the two products really worked out positively for her.

Note: Our skins are different and react differently to product, so what worked for my friend might not work out for you.

Overall conclusion, you don't really need harsh chemicals and a lot of products to treat acne. As long as you treat your acne with the right products and methods that suit your skin type, you would most likely achieve positive results.

So how to find the right products for your skin? and how to treat your back acne?

Read on...

- Moving onto the topic of the day! -

"The DOs and DON'T"

 when dealing with body-back acne...

The DOs:

Find Out The Root Cause

Knowing the cause of your breakouts is the first step in knowing how to clear up back acne. So question yourself~! Following are some example questions to start with... :

1. When did the breakouts started?

2. Did you modify your skin care routine prior to your breakouts? (e.g. change or add-in new products). If yes, do you have any idea what product triggered the breakouts? If yes, stop using that product immediately.

3. Have you made any diet changes prior to your breakouts? (e.g. increasing intake of dairy products, consuming more oily, spicy and junk foods)

4. Have you made any lifestyle changes prior to your breakouts? (e.g. exercising, sun-tanning)

5. Do you have good hygiene practice? (e.g. shower, regular changing of clothes and bedsheet [if you sleep topless] )

Understanding Your Skin Type (acne-prone, dry, normal, oily, sensitive) & Finding the Right Body Care Product
A critically important step in treating acne in the right way is to determine your skin type. All body care products available in the market are designed for different skin types and concerns. Therefore, in order to find the right product to treat your skin, you have to know your skin first.

For your information, facial skin and body skin are different. Hence, although the causes of body acne are the same as facial acne, the treatment is different. So don't treat them the same! 

TIPS: Look for products that aren't too harsh or too drying because treating acne doesn't need aggressive treatment, gently does it!

Apply Topical Treatment

Opt for a spot zapper that is strong enough to combat zits but is gentle to the skin. As the zits on the back area are hard-to-reach, I recommend using product that comes in a spray pump. 

Recommendation: Product that contains Salicylic Acid such as Etude House OMG! Trouble Break Mist — a body-acne care product formulated with Salicylic Acid and other healing properties for breakouts. With built-in 360-degree pump, it sprays from any angle, even upside down to treat hard-to-reach areas like the back and shoulders.

Practice Good Hygiene

For example, taking showers daily, regular changing of clothes, bed sheets ...

Dirt, oil and sweat accumulate on your skin throughout the day can clog up the pores and cause acne. So taking a shower helps to keep your skin clean; free from bacteria and impurities, preventing acne occurrences and/or from worsening!

Clothes are made of fabric and it absorb sweat and oil. Hence, changing clothes daily is a must, especially after sweating. You wouldn't want to rub those dirts back onto your skin, right? And for the ladies, lingeries will also soak up sweat and oil, so make sure you change it and wear a clean piece.

Similar to the clothes, bed sheets are also made of fabric and will trap dirt, sweat and oil. If you have a habit to sleep topless, remember to change and wash your bed sheet weekly.

Wear Breathable Clothing To Keep Your Skin Dry
Unbreathable clothing holds moisture and stays damp, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria that may trigger and/or worsen existing acne. Thus, it is recommended to wear high-tech, breathable fabric that have wicking properties as it helps to admit air to the skin, allowing moisture and sweat to evaporate.

Keep Your (Long) Hair Away From Your Back

Hair traps oil, dirt and dust easily, which may trigger breakouts and/or make acne worse. So if you have long hair, try to keep it away from your back. Not to mention the hair care products, such as serums, styling gels and creams, that we often use on our hair may clog the pores and trigger breakouts as well. So make sure your hair doesn't touch your back acne.

The Don't:

Scratching or Popping The Zits!

Scratching or popping the zits may cause further injury to the skin, resulting in scarrings that tend to leave a hole appearance, like what my friend has now:

Therefore, if you want your acne to heal flawlessly, avoid picking at your pimples!

Exfoliating or Scrubbing

Exfoliation buffs away dead skin cells and unclogs the pores, which helps to reduce the growth of acne and recurrence. But if you have lots of red inflamed pimples, it's best to avoid exfoliating or scrubbing as this action may further aggravate the zits and cause them to get more inflamed. Only exfoliate when you don't have much inflamed pimples.

Wearing Tight Clothing

Wearing tight clothing rubs against skin, causing friction that may aggravate your acne and lead to excessive sweating. Thus, it's best to wear loose clothing.

Covering Up Acne With Makeup

The skin on your body is thicker and has larger pores than the skin on your face, making it more prone to getting clogged. Plus, the back area is hard to reach and visualize, you may not remove the makeup thoroughly during cleansing. So I don't recommend to apply makeup on your back at all!

That's all the DOs and DON'T I gave to my friend, which "played" a part in healing her back acne. Hopefully, what I have shared would be helpful for people who are facing the same problem. Acne sufferers, press on and keep fighting!♥

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