5 Step Fall Skincare Routine for Acne Prone Skin

After a Summer spent in the sun sweating and applying lots of sunscreen, our pores get clogged more than usual, our skin can look dull and dry, hyperpigmentation is more profound, and pimples, blackheads and whiteheads may become more aggressive. In addition, the change in our daily routine with back-to-school and back-to-work stress makes acne breakouts even less tolerable while often more frequent.  

Here are some of our best-kept secrets on how to have a smooth transition between Summer and Fall in order to keep those frustrating breakouts far away.   

1. Change your cleaning routine

Fall is a time when we advise to switch skin cleansers. For the majority of us, our skin gets oilier in the summer due to the heat and humidity. As such, a deeper cleansing product is often used. When the Fall and cooler temperatures arrive, you need a gentler cleanser. Look for a non-soap cleanser, which removes dirt, but doesn't strip away natural oils.

You can then support the skin with a gentle non-alcoholic astringent, like our chamomile astringent.

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacteria properties. When applied topically, chamomile can help reduce inflammation associated with acne, razor bumps or irritation. 

Chamomile Astringent

How to use: You can make your own chamomile astringent by taking 3-4 chamomile tea bags (or 2 handfuls of the dry plant) and brewing it into a very strong tea. When cooled, splash or use on a cotton pad all over your face twice a day. Keep the leftovers in the refrigerator, but use or discard in two days.

Do twice daily, and follow up with moisturizing.

2.  Exfoliating

Exfoliating is great to remove the outer layer of dull, dry skin and to unclog pores and help even the skin color.  There are some general guidelines that you should adhere to when choosing exfoliators.

• Do not use harsh and abrasive exfoliators, as you will force your skin to produce more oil and in addition- by creating mini nicks- actually cause more infection and inflammation.
• Use mild, natural exfoliating ingredients.
• Exfoliate no more than twice a week with 3-4 days in between

Try our oatmeal exfoliating mask as an effective natural exfoliator.  This mask has been used for years because it cleans and tones the skin. Here's a variation of the basic oatmeal mask that has lavender in it for an aromatherapy effect.  

Oatmeal Exfoliating Mask

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of dried lavender (available at floral shops or natural food stores)  
• 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (lactic acid will gently exfoliate and lighten the skin)
• 2 tablespoons of oat (natural, not instants; steel cut, finely chopped or grounded coarsely in the blander)

Instructions

Mix well with a fork or spoon or on the LOWEST speed in a blender until smooth.  Spread on the face and neck. Lie down and relax. Keep on for 20 minutes. Wash gently with luke warm water.

3. Moisturize and Revitalize

Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer on your face and body twice a day. Contrary to what you may think, all acne prone skin, needs moisturizing so the dry flakes don't add to clogging pores.

It is essential that you replenish your skin after sun and wind exposure as well. Cabbage is rich in vitamins and minerals. Its deep cleansing, anti-inflammatory and cooling action makes it a valuable mask for acne sufferers. This mask can be used on all skin types, and should be done on a day when you don't do the exfoliation mask. 

Fresh Cabbage Rejuvenation Mask

Ingredients

• 1/4 small green cabbage
• 1 large carrot juiced or 2 tablespoons fresh carrot juice
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of green clay powder (available inexpensively on Amazon)

Instructions

Throw away the outer leaves of the cabbage. Rinse and chop the remainder of the cabbage. Combine the cabbage, carrot juice, one teaspoon of lemon juice and the olive oil in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Mix together three tablespoons of the puree with the clay powder. Use the cabbage mask once a week after cleansing, not on the day when you do the exfoliation mask. Masks are best made and used on the same day; they don't have a good shelf life.

To apply the mask

1. Find a calm time when you are not rushed. Protect your hair with a towel or band and remove all makeup.
2. Cleanse the skin with water.
3. Steam your face for 1-2 minutes to open the pores (to do this, put hot water in a bowl, put a towel over your head and put your face over the bowl - be careful not to get too close, you don't want you to burn yourself!)
4. Apply the mask evenly (avoiding the eyes) and leave it on for around 20 minutes. If the mask has more of a liquid consistency, apply using a cotton ball. A second layer can be applied after a few minutes.
5. Lie down and relax - no talking! Keep your face relaxed!
6. Wet the mask to soften the clay first, and then remove the mask with cotton pads or a cotton towel and luke-warm water. Then dry.

Close the pores using the chamomile astringent.

4.  Control Stress

Stress comes in different guises, yet our bodies respond to stress in the same way. Adrenaline is the number one stress hormone; it speeds up the heart beat, breathing and metabolic rate to give us a necessary rush of extra energy. Adrenaline is produced and stored in our two adrenal glands that are situated on top of the kidneys and with long-term stress these glands will deplete. Adrenaline moves, motivates and energizes. 

Unfortunately over stressing our system releases excess stress related hormones, enzymes and other chemicals that result in leaving our bodies anxious, our muscles tense and our sebaceous glands over stimulated as well. The result of this? More acne breakouts. Here are some of our favorite ideas to control stress:

• Try fitting in Yoga, Pilates or Qigong into your fitness schedule - we know you're extremely busy, but if you can't make it to the gym, fit it in at night by watching a workout video at home.

• In order to help support and relieve anxiety and stress, there are many available plant relaxants. These herbs can be taken as tinctures, pills, infusions and decoctions. When taken regularly, they can help to calm and help deal with a stressful lifestyle and support the nervous system. The following herbs are used for stress, chamomile, skullcap, vervain, wild oats, St John's Wort, limeflowers and lavender.

Herbal Infusion for Stress

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon dried lime flowers
• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile
• 1 tablespoon dried vervain

Instructions

Add the dried herbs to 2 cups of boiling water in a warmed pot with a lid. Leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes and then strain. Drink warm throughout the day.

5.  Prevent acne from coming

Remember that THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP to really get rid of acne is to stop the acne cycle by removing causes of acne (over secretion of sebaceous glands).  This can be done only from the inside out (topical agents cannot influence sebaceous glands) by helping the body to manage factors (ex. hormonal imbalance) that may over-stimulate the sebaceous glands.

Learn more about breaking your cycle of acne!

With a promise of clear skin,
Dr. A