Bye-bye Blemishes

Although I am far removed from the season of having babies in the house, the products we formulate at Olive Baby are still front and center to my family’s skin care regime.  This is no more evident than when it comes to my daughter's ongoing struggles with teenage acne.  Nicely put - acne is the pits!  So, after consulting with Dr. Anna to discuss the ins and outs of teenage acne, my daughter, Hannah, is now well on our way to managing this less than fun part of being Sweet 16!

 

First and foremost, establishing a good cleansing routine is essential. Washing your face morning and night with a gentle, all natural cleanser is imperative to remove dirt and oil buildup from the face and body.  A gentle castile soap, such as our Olive Baby Body Wash, is non-irritating and highly effective in getting the job done! Once the face is clean and pat dry, be sure to follow up with a facial toner.  Surprisingly, our Olive Baby Bottom Cleaner is the ideal skin toner for your face – the witch hazel tones, the aloe and chamomile soothes irritated and inflamed skin (which includes the redness we see in acne).  A few pumps onto a clean cotton pad, and voila! Finally, in addition to the above routine, tea tree oil or castor oil can be applied topically to breakout areas. Dabbed on the face at night, these wonder-oils cleanse and heal acne lesions while you sleep.  

Once a consistent hygiene routine is established, it’s equally important to address dietary issues. Minimizing dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream), fried foods, refined sugars, trans-fatty acids, and hydrogenated fats, will go a long way in limiting breakouts. Other common acne triggers can include citrus, soy, tomato, chocolate, and gluten, so limiting these foods is also highly recommended. On the other end of the spectrum, foods 

to add to your diet to help minimize acne include foods high in zinc such as 

pumpkin seeds, beans, and whole-grain breads.

Finally, switching out your pillow case each night (flip it over, then the next day use a clean one) is a great way to avoid the oils and dirt being rubbed back into the pores. 

Before long, you’ll be sporting a fresh, clean, blemish free face!