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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Difference Between Skin Irritation and Allergy Caused By Products + TIPS

Skin Irritation and Allergy Caused tips Skin irritation and allergy caused by products are often difficult to tell apart because they have similar symptoms — itchy, red, bumpy, rashes. They can occur on all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

From Year 2011 to 2013, I had experienced both skin irritation and allergy for quite a number of times, so I kind of know how to differentiate them.

Today, let me briefly show you how you can tell them apart and I will also share some tips on what you should do. Take note that what I'm going to share are not professional advices; they are solely based on my experiences and opinions.

*Warning: Graphic images ahead!*

P.S.: Please kindly excuse the following low quality pictures... :x

Let's begin with...

"Skin Irritation / Irritant"

Skin irritation can be caused by using products contain chemicals that are too harsh and/or drying for your skin.

The symptoms of skin irritation include red, itchy, bumpy, rashes, burning and stinging. It can last at least a couple of minutes, and up to a week, depending on the severity. Sometimes, the rash comes and goes; most of the times, it subsides by itself with no physical pain and require no medical treatment.

Here are some examples on how a skin irritation looks like... :

Symptoms: Itchy, red and bumpy rashes.

What You Should Do:
- Discontinue the use of product that is causing the irritation, and avoid or temporarily stop using products that contain strong ingredients (if any; e.g. acne products) on the affected area.

- DO NOT scratch the affected area.

- Avoid using makeup.

- Consult a dermatologist or doctor immediately if your condition has lasted for days, and is severe, and/or getting worse!

*Treatment (only if your condition is mild) : 
- Use gentle products that are designed for sensitive skin and clinically proven hypoallergenic. Pick a good moisturizer because it will help to hydrate, soothe and calm the affected area, as well as speed up the healing process.

"Skin Allergy / Allergic Reaction"

Skin allergy can be caused by using products that contain allergens as ingredients.

The symptoms of allergic reaction include red, itchy, bumpy, rashes, blisters (vesicles), scaly skin and groups of small pus-filled bumps. It can last about ten days, and up to three weeks or even longer, depending on the severity. And it may leave some scars.

Here are some examples on how an allergic reaction looks like:

This allergic reaction was caused by Tea Tree Oil.
Symptoms: Itchy, red and bumpy rashes, with pus-filled bumps in groups.

The following is another type of allergic reaction:

Symptoms: Itchy, red, raw, bumpy skin and infested with fluid-filled blisters (vesicles).

Initially, they were just red bumps that itched. Soon it developed into blisters (vesicles) and grew bigger each day, so I sought medical treatment.

Side information - "Healing progress":

Blisters popped by a TCM doctor using seven-star hammer.
During the popping process, it hurt. It felt like being bitten by a bunch of red ants.

P.S.: Sorry if it grossed you out. :x

It took three weeks to get flattened out and healed; and it leave hyper-pigmentation scars, which took moooooonths to get completely and flawlessly healed.

What Should You Do:
- Discontinue the use of product that is causing the allergic reaction, and avoid or temporarily stop using products that contain strong ingredients (if any; e.g. acne products) on the affected area.

- DO NOT scratch the affected area!

- Avoid using makeup.

- If your condition covers a large area and develop blisters; lasted for days and is getting worse, I suggest that you consult a dermatologist or doctor immediately!

*Treatment (only if your condition is mild): 
- Same as the treatment for skin irritation... Use gentle products that are designed for sensitive skin and clinically proven hypoallergenic. Pick a good moisturizer because it will help to hydrate, soothe and calm the affected area, as well as speed up the healing process.

*The suggested treatment for both irritation and allergy (mild cases) is what I usually would use to treat my own skin reactions, and it works well for me.

I hope this helps you understand the difference between a skin irritation and a skin allergy.

Just a tip for you readers — When you use a new product, it is best to always do a patch test, with a little of the product, on a small area of your skin beforehand to ensure that you are not sensitive or allergic to the product. If you get a skin reaction or allergy and you are unsure of what to do, it is best to consult a dermatologist or a doctor. ;)

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5 Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations

Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations The most effective way to get rid of a pimple quick is to use a spot zapper. A spot zapper is a targeted pimple treatment that usually contains active acne ingredient such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil, to calm inflammation and heal pimple.

P.S: If you want to know more about the mentioned active acne ingredients, read my article on "Understanding The Acne Fighters".

Over the years, I have tried many different kinds of spot treatments and here are my FIVE PICKS that I find work the most effective in banishing pimples:

Number 1: Etude House AC Clinic Intense Liquid Spot

A spot zapper formulated with Salicylic Acid, which helps to calm inflammation and treat pimples. It also contains botanical extract (Hinoki Cypress) that reportedly inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria. What's more, it is in clear, liquid form which absorbs into the skin quickly, making it perfect to use under makeup! This is part of my everyday skin care routine~!

Check out my full review: http://info-tipstriks.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-etude-house-ac-clinic-intense.html

Number 2: Etude House AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot

Another part of my every day skin care routine~ This spot zapper has a similar formula as the Liquid Spot — Formulated with Salicylic Acid which helps to calm inflammation and treat pimples. It also contains botanical extract (Hinoki Cypress) that reportedly inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

The only difference is it has pink powder that contains sulfur — an antibiotic, and it will leave some pink powder residue on your skin after application. The pink powder helps to soothe and alleviate swelling skin to minimize damage. This is actually more powerful in treating pimples than the Liquid Spot but unfortunately, it is designed to use at night. Note: A cotton swab is required to extract the pink powder for application.

Check out my full review: http://info-tipstriks.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-etude-house-ac-clinic-pink.html

Number 3: Benzac AC Gel 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide

Formulated with active acne ingredient, Benzoyl Peroxide, that unblocks pores with a mild peeling effect and clears pimples within 48 hours. With it's unique Acrylates Copolymer (AC) Technology, it absorbs sebum and releases glycerin to help hydrate skin. Ideal to use on inflamed pimples!

Benzac AC Gel is also available in stronger concentration of 5% and 10%.

Check out my full review: http://info-tipstriks.blogspot.com/2015/07/review-benzac-ac-25-5-benzoyl-peroxide.html

Number 4: Thursday Plantation 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a natural, powerful antibacterial ingredient that zaps a broad spectrum of bacteria. It penetrates into the skin and dries out all kinds of pimples quickly.

As this is in the concentration of 100%, it is super powerful in dealing with acne. If you find 100% Tea Tree Oil is too strong for your skin as a spot treatment, you can take 1 drop and dilute with water, in 1:9 ratio, to create your own acne spot treatment. If you want to increase the strength, you can just dilute it with less water. 100% Tea Tree Oil has many uses. You can even use it to DIY homemade face mask for acne. For other uses, please google~

On the drawback, it may be harsh; people with sensitive skin have to watch-out because this may cause an allergic reaction.

Number 5: Innisfree JejuBija Anti-Trouble Spot Essence R

This spot essence is enriched with torreya seed oil and green calamine ingredients which help to rapidly calm down breakouts. It is a skin care product but it has a green undertone which kind of helps to neutralize redness. So sometimes I use it on my pimples as a color corrector prior to makeup application.

*P.S: Innisfree has discontinued both the Essence W and Essence R. But recently, they released a new product with an improved formula called Bija Anti-Trouble Spot Essence (without W or R) and it doesn't have the green undertone.

As the latter recommendation (Number 5) is a *discontinued product, I will include one more product to compensate for the "loss"...

Number 6: 3M Nexcare Acne Patch .aka. Blemish Clear Cover

These patches act as a barrier over the acne to reduce hand contact and infection. Best part? It helps to absorb oil and all the pus embedded in the pimple, thereby reducing the damage done to your skin because you don't have to pop and squeeze it with your fingers! Ideal for inflamed, pus-filled pimples. With these patches, you will be able to bid your zits a speedier farewell.

Nexcare Acne Patch is available mostly in circular shape, which gives the same effect as the square shape, but I prefer the square ones as I find it covers the zit and adhere to the skin better.

So these are the FIVE (or six?) acne spot treatments I recommend to try. I hope you find it helpful. 

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Understanding The Acne Fighters — Salicylic Acid .vs. Benzoyl Peroxide .vs. Tea Tree Oil

Salicylic Acid vs Benzoyl Peroxide vs Tea Tree Oil Note: All information written and shared in this article are based on my knowledge and experience.

Acne products are formulated with different types of active acne ingredients (= the fighters) and they work differently to fight acne. Therefore, when it comes to choosing an acne fighter for your skin, it is very important to know what each of them does.

The most frequently used active acne ingredients in over-the-counter acne products are Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide and Tea Tree Oil.

Salicylic Acid is a chemical that has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to calm and reduce inflammation. It slows down the shedding of skin cells inside the follicles to reduce the incidence of clogged pores. It may also breakdown whiteheads and blackheads.

The concentration of Salicylic Acid found in over-the-counter products is pretty much in a low and safe level, so it's less likely to cause irritation or peeling.

In my opinion, it is effective in treating non-inflamed and inflamed pimples, but it may take a longer time to heal big, painful cystic acne and it may not be very effective against severe acne like nodules.

Benzoyl Peroxide (B.P) zaps (P. acnes) bacteria, dries excess oil and remove dead skin cells clogging pores. It is also a chemical but is stronger than Salicylic Acid. Ideal for inflamed pimples.

Generally, Benzoyl Peroxide comes in 2.5%, 5% and 10%. People with sensitive skin have to be cautious with the level of concentration because the higher the concentration, the more it may irritate your skin.

Symptoms of irritation: Redness, itching, dryness

In my opinion, Benzoyl Peroxide treats pimples (including cystic acne) quicker than Salicylic Acid. On the downside, it may cause mild to severe dryness and some peeling.

Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is a natural, powerful antibacterial ingredient that kills a broad spectrum of bacteria. It penetrates into the skin and dries out all kinds of pimples quickly.

Tea Tree Oil is often found in varying concentrations. I think the lowest concentration of Tea Tree Oil found in over-the-counter products is 2% or 5%. Again, people with sensitive skin have to be cautious with the level of concentration because the higher the concentration, the more it may irritate your skin. The highest concentration of Tea Tree Oil I have seen is 100% — my brother is using 100% pure TTO and it works amazingly for him.

In my opinion, TTO is the most effective acne fighter and as it is a natural ingredient, it may be less irritating than B.P. Despite that, you still have to be cautious with TTO as it may cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of allergic reaction to TTO: Redness, itching, dryness, raw and bumpy patches/rashes.

For your reference, here's a picture of my allergic reaction to TTO back in Year 2013:

P.S: pardon the out-of-focus shot

FYI, I have been using Salicylic Acid -based products over the years, ever since I suffered from bad acne (refer to "My Acne Story"). So far, it hasn't caused any issues to my sensitive skin.

Anyway, my advice is to start from the mildest active acne ingredient with the smallest concentration. If your skin doesn't respond, then work your way up to stronger ingredient. By doing so, you will find out your skin's tolerance as well as reduce the chance of getting skin irritation.

I hope what I've shared can help you in choosing the right fighter for your acne. :)

Check out my article on "5 Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations" and "Understanding The Types Of Acne — Whitehead, Blackhead, Papule, Pustule, Cyst, Nodule".

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5 Common Acne Treatment Mistakes + The Solutions

Common Acne Treatment Mistakes Here are the FIVE common acne treatment mistakes that are making your acne worse and FIVE solutions to correct them.

Mistake 1: Popping Zits
Yikes! There's a pimple on your chin! What should you do? Pop it? Tempting huh? But noooooooo~! Popping pimples actually pushes the infection further into your skin, causing more redness, swelling and scarring (more prone to indented scars).

The Solution:
Instead of popping the pimple, apply spot treatment formulated with active acne ingredient on the zit and let it dry naturally by itself. If you pop a pimple by accident, I recommend to stick a Nexcare Acne Patch over the zit. This acne patch helps to absorb all the pus embedded in the pimple, without needing to squeeze with your fingers, thereby reducing the damage done to your skin.

Mistake 2: Over-Cleansing Your Face
Cleansing your face several times a day does not cure your acne. In fact, you are ruining your skin and inviting acne. When you over-cleanse your skin, you are over-stripping away the skin oil that acts as a function to keep skin moisturized and balanced. Deep down, your skin naturally pumps out oil to the surface to keep it moisturized so if your skin is too dry, it will produce even more oil to compensate for the dryness. This could lead to excess oil production, causing more congestion along with possibly dryness and irritation.

Mistake 3: Skipping Moisturizer
So now you know each time you cleanse your face, you are not only removing excess sebum, but also stripping skin of its natural oils hence, we need moisturizer to replenish the loss.

The Solutions for 2 & 3:
Wash your face twice a day is sufficient. Don't forget to apply moisturizer afterwards. Use a cleanser and moisturizer that is made specifically for acne skin. These usually contain active acne ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil. Remember that a well-hydrated skin helps to slow down the rate of oil production.

Mistake 4: Exfoliating
Yes, buffing away dead skin cells is beneficial to the skin. It helps to prevent clogged pores, keeping pimples from forming. It is okay to exfoliate if you have very mild acne issues (non-inflamed whiteheads, flesh color bumps or blackheads). But it is not okay to exfoliate if your skin is flooded with red, inflamed pimples as it may further aggravate them and make them worse.

The Solution:
It's best to avoid exfoliating your skin if you have lots of inflamed pimples. As I've said, it may further aggravate them.

Mistake 5: Skin Itches Is A Sign Of Healing
Well, I do agree that itching is a sign of healing, but this applies to an injury, a wound. This does not apply to facial skin. Itching is certainly NOT a sign that your acne is healing! When your facial skin itches, it is an indication that your skin is dry. It can also be a sign of skin allergy/irritation. Therefore, do not ignore the itching issues! Take action quickly, otherwise your acne may get worse.

The Solution:
All you have to do is to moisturize your skin! Once your skin is well hydrated, the itching sensation will stop. If the itching is caused by an allergic reaction with visible redness, you have to find out what causes it and stop using that product immediately.

The reason why I'm sharing this topic is because these are the mistakes I have made in the past which resulted my bad acne (refer to "My Acne Story"). The solutions provided have helped me to solve the problems, so hopefully these bits of advice can help you as well. Keep fighting acne! :)

"Bear in mind that treating acne doesn't need aggressive treatments.
Gently does it!"

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[Acne Story/Tips] The DOs & DON'T for Acne-Prone Skin

DOs & DON'T for Acne-Prone Skin

Source: from some random chinese site (I forgot the link...)

Acne is one of the most common skin issues faced by many people, especially teens. So, how acne is formed? Well, I have shared these videos before in my "Summer Breakouts & My Favorite Summer Skincare Essentials 2014" post and I decided to share them again here. 

from 0:12 to 2:29

from 0:10 to 1:58

To put it simple, acne breakouts happen when pores in the skin get clogged with facial oil called sebum and dead skin cells. Once the pore is clogged, a pimple starts forming and attracts bacteria. Soon after the bacteria invaded, the pimple will get inflamed.

Hence, maintain good hygiene and follow your daily must-dos is a good practice to keep acne at bay. Before proceeding to read this post, do read the "7 MUST-DOs for a healthy complexion" to learn the basic care for your skin: http://bitsdiaries.blogspot.com/2014/07/beauty-tips-7-must-dos-for-healthy.html

Today, let me share with you the DOs and DON'T for acne-prone skin. 

THE DOs:

Understanding Acne
By understanding your acne, you can determine the most suitable treatments to deal with them. I have shared two videos at the start of this post. In the videos, they explain to you how acne is formed and the different types of acne. Scroll back to the top if you have yet to watch the videos. For those who have watched them, let's skip to the next point, shall we? 

Understanding Your Skin Type (Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive etc.)
This is very important to all, especially for people who have sensitive skin... For example, people with sensitive skin have to be really cautious in choosing products. Well, you readers should know that many acne products contain anti-acne ingredients at different strength level/concentration. Some may be too strong for sensitive skin as a result, it may cause some signs of irritations. Hence, it is absolutely necessary to know what skin type you have, in order to determine the most suitable products/treatments for your skin.

Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face!
Your hands have lots of invisible germs and bacteria thus, keep your hands away from your face! It's better to thoroughly wash your hands with hand soap (anti-bacterial soap will be preferred) prior touching your face. You wouldn't want your face to become a new breeding ground 'playground' for the germs and bacteria right? So don't touch your face with your unclean hands! FYI, I always wash my hands with Dettol Hand Soap before proceeding to cleanse(touch) my face. Same procedure applies during application of daily skincare products, makeup etc..

Use Non-Comedogenic and Oil-Free Products
Look for products labelled "Non-Comedogenic" and "Oil-Free". Non-Comedogenic means "less clogging pores" whilst for Oil-Free means the product does not contain any mineral, plant oils etc. so it's less likely to clog pores.

Use Products Contain Anti-Acne Ingredients
If you are having troubled with acne, look for products that contain anti-acne ingredients such as Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide or Tea Tree Oil. These ingredients are strong enough to combat acne and keep them under control.

Simple and Fixed Skin Care Routine
Skin care routine doesn't have to be complicated. A 3 to 4 steps routine (Cleanse, Tone [Optional], Moisturize, Treatment) is all that you need, especially for teens.

Also, it's a not a good idea to change skin care products too often. Changing your skin care products frequently may cause more breakouts at times.

My advice: Choose a set of products and as long as they are working fine on your skin, STICK TO IT. Modify your skincare routine only when it's necessary. e.g.: seasonal changes, targeting other skin problems, product seems to make your skin condition worse etc..

Tackle One Skin's Problem At A Time
'Multi-tasking' can cause more problems at times thus, take it slooooow~~~ Work on one problem at a time and you will get optimal results.

Eat Healthy; Stay away from spicy, greasy, fried and junk foods.
I believe that the diet plays a part in contributing acne. I have mentioned the following in the 7 Must-Dos... post, which I have shared earlier on. "Kick away all (or eat less) the spicy, greasy, fried and junk foods! Consume more fruits and veggies (at least 2 servings each every day) instead as they contain powerful anti-oxidents which help to prevent free radical damage, protect your skin cells and slow down the aging process. Not only that... They are also rich in various nutrients(vitamins, minerals, fibers) which help to boost your immune system, detoxification, and improve your complexion, keeping your body and skin healthy."

Positive Mindset; Keep Fighting and Don't Lose Hope
A positive attitude will lead to positive outcome. 

THE DON'T:

Popping The Zit
Tempting? But I strongly suggest you to leave the little monsters alone! Bear in mind that popping the zit only pushes infection further into your skin, causing more swelling, redness and scarring. Here's an interesting illustration I found on Twitter that I once shared.

Instead of squeezing and popping the zit, try using Nexcare Acne Patch.

This little patches work effectively in sucking out all the pus embedded in the zit without needing to forcefully squeezing the zit hence, it helps to reduce and prevent bad scarring and/or further inflammation. This comes in very handy when the zit popped itself or you accidentally scratched and popped the zit.

Over Cleanse/Over-Drying and Skip Moisturizer
Wash your face TWICE a day will do the job! Cleansing your face several times a day does not cure your acne. In fact, you are making acne worse instead. When you over-cleanse your skin, you are stripping away all the skin oil/moisture that acts as a function to keep skin healthy, moisturized and balanced. Deep down, your skin naturally pumps out oil to the surface to keep it moisturized so if your skin is too dry, it will produce even more oil to compensate for the dryness. This could lead to excess oil production and eventually lead to clogged pores.

So now you know each time you cleanse your face, you are actually stripping away some skin oil/moisture. Hence, we need moisturizer to replenish the loss. Remember that a well-hydrated skin helps to slow down the rate of oil production.

Changing Skin Care Products Frequently
*Read "Simple and Fixed Skin Care Routine" stated in the "DOs" section*

Using More Than One Anti-Acne Ingredient
I strongly advise to stick to ONE anti-acne ingredient. For example, if you are using a product (e.g: a toner, serum) that contains Salicylic Acid, then for other products (e.g: moisturizer), make sure they contain the same anti-acne ingredient (Salicylic Acid). Using too many types of anti-acne ingredients at a time can cause skin irritations! I know some people use Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree products together and it work for them but well... not everyone's skin can handle more than one anti-acne ingredient at a time, at least not for me. If you want to try out, do a patch test before applying it on your face in case of any irritations.

Heavy Makeup
Your acne needs to breath!  Layering heavy make-up on pimples cause a perfect breeding ground for the germs and bacteria to grow and this will cause pimples to get more inflamed. Apart from that, heavy make-up leads to clog pores even more easily so try to wear light makeup as possible. If you really want to wear heavy makeup, do it once in awhile. Just don't wear heavy makeup every day. Well, in any case, make sure you remove all traces of makeup thoroughly before you go to bed!

Alright, that's all I could think of for now. If there's any more tips, I will share it in another post. Hopefully the tips I've shared would be able to provide some help for you. 

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[Beauty Tips] 7 Must-Dos For A Healthy Complexion

Must-Dos For A Healthy Complexion Having a healthy looking complexion isn't difficult! Keeping your skin in tip-top condition is actually easier than you think. Here are 7 Must-Dos for a good and healthy glowing skin. 

1. Drink Up!
Water works wonder for your body and skin! It flushes toxin and waste substances from your body. Also, it replenishes the skin's tissues, moisturizes the skin and maintain skin's elasticity, giving you a healthy and glowing skin. Thus, drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses of water) a day!

2. Eat Healthy for Beauty
Kick away all the greasy, fried and junk foods! Consume more fruits and veggies (at least 2 servings each every day) instead as they contain powerful anti-oxidents which help to prevent free radical damage, protect your skin cells and slow down the aging process. Not only that... They are also rich in various nutrients(vitamins, minerals, fibers) which help to boost your immune system, detoxification and improve your complexion, keeping your body and skin healthy.

3. Keep Your Face Clean

Wash your face twice a day. Twice is enough! Over-washing rip away the skin's moisture and disrupts the skin's barrier which can cause drying, skin irritations and redness. During cleansing, be gentle with your skin. Do not rub or scrub your skin. 

If your skin is prone to acne breakouts, use products that specifically for troubled/acne skin. These usually contain anti-acne ingredients such as Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide or Tea Tree Oil.

4. Buff Away Dead Skin Cells

As I have mentioned in previous post, "EXFOLIATE the skin is an effective method to get rid of clogged pores. Exfoliation removes dead and dull skin cells, unclog the pores, leaving the skin looking more radiant and smoother. Once you buff away those dead skin cells, your skin tends to absorb skincare products even better. Thus, it's good to exfoliate once in awhile."

For those who have whiteheads, blackheads, flesh colored bumps that aren't inflamed, I recommend to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Do not exfoliate everyday! Excessive scrubbing can irritate the skin.

As for those who have lots of inflamed zits, you can skip this step for the moment. I wouldn't recommend to exfoliate when you have lots of inflamed zits as it may further aggravate the zits, causing them to get more inflamed. If you only have a few inflamed zits (like 1 to 3), it's fine. Just avoid exfoliating the area where the inflamed zits bloomed.

5. Moisturize Your Skin

( Source: Crayon Shin-Chan Episode 1409)

No matter what skin type you have, MOISTURIZE is a daily must-do! Keeping your skin hydrated will give you a healthy, radiant and glowing look. Deep down, your skin naturally pumps out oil to the surface to keep it moisturized so if your skin is too dry, it will produce even more oil to compensate for the dryness. This could lead to excess oil production and eventually lead to clogged pores. Hence, don't ever leave out this step! A well-hydrated skin helps to slow down the rate of oil production. 

6. Remove Makeup Thoroughly

For those who wear makeup, make sure you thoroughly remove all traces of makeup before going to sleep. Sleeping with makeup can lead to clogged pores and acute acne breakouts.

7. Get Enough Sleep

Don't be a night owl! Your skin repairs and heals itself more effectively at night when you are asleep. Sleeping late and lacking of sleep affect your appearance(dull skin, dark eye circles, acne). Thus, to have a good complexion, sleep early and get enough sleep (at least 8 hours) each night. 

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