Q. I am in my mid-thirties and my skin is still breaking out! What do you recommend?
Dr. Linda Miles D. O. M. responds:
A. More and more, adults in their 30s, 40s and 50s are suffering from breakouts. Don’t worry. With some key lifestyle adjustments and effective topical blends, a holistic approach can help you achieve clearer, healthier, more balanced skin faster than you think.
First off, I firmly believe that your skin reflects your internal health. Therefore, what you put in your body is extremely important. To start, take a look at your diet and how you feel after eating or drinking certain things. Are you eating foods that you are allergic or sensitive to? How much caffeine, processed food and sugar do you consume?
To create a healthy internal balance, it is essential that you limit these potentially irritating substances and fill your plate with fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and good fats (such as avocado, olive oil, almonds, etc). And of course hydrate. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to flush out toxins and keep your digestive tract healthy. Taking a probiotic supplement daily is also a good idea to keep a balance of good bacteria in your gut that will aid in digestion and support healthy immune function.
Next, try and make more time for yourself. A busy lifestyle can lead to stress that can aggravate breakouts. Any type of exercise, outdoor activities, long walks, meditation, yoga, stretching and breathing exercises can help you relax. A good night’s sleep, about 7 to 8 hours will also help you wake-up feeling more rested, ready for your day and ready to deal with stressful situations.
Now for your skin care routine. What you put on your skin and how you treat it matters. When you are dealing with breakouts it is easy to overdo it, meaning, using overly harsh products that can be extremely drying and irritating, or over-scrubbing your skin. Instead, look for a skin care regimen that utilizes gentle yet scientifically proven effective natural ingredients.
derma e ® Very Clear ® skincare system (which includes a Cleanser, Astringent, Body Wash, Scrub, Moisturizer and Spot Treatment) uses a herb-rich blemish-fighting blend that helps optimize skin clarity by cleansing away pore-clogging dirt and bacteria while restoring clean, calming hydration. Skin will appear fresh and healthy, not stripped, flaky or irritated as with other harsher treatments.
The Very Clear line contains a combination of key ingredients that have been carefully selected to address the multiple needs of skin experiencing breakouts. Salicylic acid helps skin cells shed more easily to keep pores clear. Rosewood acts as both an antiseptic and an astringent and can help balance both dry and oily skin. Tea Tree, one of my favorite natural first-aid remedies, contains powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help clear blemishes and prevent breakouts. Willow bark, the natural source of salicylic acid, is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter blemish-fighting products. It can help remove dead skin, dirt and toxins, and unclog pores. Lavender, another one of my favorites, contains astringent and antibacterial properties to help fight breakouts. Lastly, Chamomile has strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for helping reduce redness and calming skin.
The Very Clear Cleanser should be used with warm (not hot) water two to three times a day. Then, follow with the astringent and moisturizer that balances hydration and provides nutrients to the skin. Oily skin and breakouts do not occur from too much moisture from a facial moisturizer; they result from skin that is not balanced. A well-formulated, blemish and oil targeting moisturizer helps rebalance skin for a softer, smoother, more normalized complexion. The spot blemish treatment is also good for specific breakout areas. Plus, exfoliating at least once or twice a week will prevent build-up of older skin cells and stimulates new cell growth, promoting healthier, clearer skin.
While breakouts can be frustrating, hopefully this holistic approach will help you look and feel good, from the inside and out.