As an oily skinned girl with acne-prone skin, I can talk about pimple solutions for hours. There are weeks where I’m without a spot, but there are days when my skin is just so irritated, and the spots come back with a vengeance. The last two weeks were the latter for me. A change in diet and some antibiotics from a wisdom tooth extraction did a number on my face that had me close to tears.
I then made a full-force effort to get rid of the spots. Since each spot is annoyingly unique in size and type, I found you need a multi-level approach. It’s not just about what you use on your face but also the daily habits which you may not even have realized.
Change your pillows and pillowcases
You rub your face on your pillows for extended hours a night (even in the morning). Over time they become houses of bacteria won’t do your skin any favors. Change your pillowcases every week and your pillows every two years at maximum. Silk cases and antibacterial pillow options are there if you want to go the extra mile. But for a comfortable and smart choice which doesn’t dent your budget, I got the Muji Feathered Pillow made with 100% cotton and Washed Cotton Pillowcase. The pillow has two linings so the feathers don’t stick out and poke while the cotton used on both products as soft and don’t scratch. Available at Power Plant Mall.
Seek a shot
Nodular pimples won’t work with topical solutions. But they tend to be the biggest ones which are red and painful. Don’t wait for them to subside and test your patience. An Acne Injection at Skin Station takes only a second, costs PHP225 a shot, and gets rid of the bump in a matter of hours. Ideal for when you need to look spot-free for a party the next day. skinstation.ph
Strip it down
Your creams, serums, and oils contribute to plugging up your pores with acne-creating substances. When you’re getting one bump after the other, consider going back to basics. A gentle wash should be enough, such as the Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser from Drunk Elephant. It promotes a deep clean from makeup and pollution in the purest sense. The cleanser has no essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical screens, fragrance/dyes, and SLS, and has a pH level of 5.5. Afterward, reach for your toner and topical spot treatment. Available at Sephora.ph
Be a baby
Recently, my dermatologist and aesthetician advised me of reaching for baby shampoo. With acne-prone skin, some shampoo formulas can cause buildup on the perimeter of the face or be too harsh. I went old-school with Johnson’s Active Kids Soft & Shiny Shampoo. It has honey and wheat extracts to help your hair feel soft and is pH balanced. Available at leading drugstores
Spot tape
An excellent way to prevent you from picking at your spots is to cover them up. I like the COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch. The hydrocolloid patch “extracts impurities and creates a moist environment, which makes the healing process faster.” With its gradient tone, it’s hardly noticeable. It also creates a barrier from any more irritants and helps you wear makeup over the spot without contributing to the havoc. Available at Watsons, SM Aura
