Simple Pimple Prevention—How to Manage Acne Breakouts

You’ve probably gotten used to wearing a mask over your nose and mouth when you’re in public. But you probably haven’t gotten used to “maskne”—the breakouts that can pop up from frequent mask wearing. If you’re dealing with maskne—or teen acne, or breakouts triggered by hormones or stress—then you know how important it is to have a treatment plan to zap zits. We recommend a two-pronged approach for our clients to help banish breakouts. Read on for how to manage acne breakouts with some simple pimple prevention and skincare products to help you at home.

Regular Facials

There’s nothing like a facial—it feels great, and it does great things for your complexion. Professional estheticians have the expertise to address trouble spots and take preventive measures against breakouts. At Firefly, we customize our facials to each client’s unique skin care needs. If you’ve got an oily T-zone or a sprinkling of hormonal acne on your cheeks, we can clear up a congested complexion so your skin looks glowing—and blemish free.

We’d love to talk with you about your acne-related skin concerns and set you up with a regular schedule for facials that gets you the most benefits and the best results. Right now, we’re open by appointment for facials; book an appointment online and get ready to say bye to breakouts. We can’t wait to see you!

Skin Care Regimen

A facial can resolve a lot of skin care issues, but you need to perform maintenance in between your visits to the spa so your skin always looks its best. We only get our hands on your skin once a month, but the daily treatment you do at home in between your facials is key. That’s where a strong anti-acne regimen comes in handy.

There are certain ingredients you’ll want to see on the label of any skin care products you’re using to treat acne. Here are some to look for:

Salicylic acid: This powerful beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is one of the best acne fighters. It unclogs the buildup (dead skin cells, oils, and other not-great stuff) that can block pores and cause pimples to form.

Benzoyl peroxide: Not only does benzoyl peroxide unclog pores, it also kills the bacteria responsible for breakouts. It’s especially helpful for treating cystic acne and inflammatory pimples.

Alpha hydroxy acids: AHAs are super exfoliators, clearing away dead skin for a clean and glowing complexion. Lactic, madenlic, and glycolic acids are all members of the AHA family.

Gluconolactone: This is what’s called a poly-hydroxy acid. It’s like a gentler version of AHAs and BHAs, which makes it ideal for controlling acne on sensitive skin.

Tea tree oil: This natural oil has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to help clear skin of debris and bacteria that can lead to pimples.

Allantoin: This ingredient does double duty, exfoliating while also moisturizing. It’s also good for acne scars because it promotes tissue repair and healing.

Moisturizers: These are pretty powerful ingredients, so you want to make sure you balance them with hydrating agents such as aloe or panthenol. This will keep your skin looking balanced and moisturized, for an improved appearance in the tone and texture.

Skin Care Products

We carry some wonderful, professional skin care products from PCA Skin that should be in your acne-fighting arsenal.

Start our skincare routine with Facial Wash Oily/Problem or BPO 5% Cleanser. BPO stands for benzoyl peroxide. This daily cleanser eliminates existing and prevents future acne breakouts.

PCA’s Acne Cream has benzoyl peroxide and can be used as a spot treatment, and Acne Gel has salicylic acid which can spot treat areas but also be used to control oiliness.

Clearskin is a great moisturizer for acne-prone skin. Add in the Intensive Clarity Treatment: 0.5% Pure Retinol Night into your evening routine a few days each week. It’s important to wear a broad spectrum SPF during the day when using this product at night, since retinol is sun sensitizing.

Schedule an appointment with us for a personalized shopping experience to build a customized skin care regimen. Can’t make it into Firefly? We offer video consultations where we discuss your skin care needs over Zoom, or you can visit our online shop. We provide curbside pickup or home delivery for your purchases. Contact us today for more pristine pores!