Hi everyone! Recently I had the opportunity to attend La Roche-Posay Derm class. Main topic of discussion was acne and I had a chance to chat with Dr. Annie Chiu. She is a Board-Certified Dermatologist & received her Medical Degree from Stanford University. There’s no denying that having acne sucks, but if you have it don’t freak out because you are not alone.

Acne affects majority of us and it can be at different phases of life. I have occasional acne popping up every now and then. I decided to share with you all what I learnt on #BeClearBootCamp. Dr. Annie Chiu touched upon certain things that are really informative and helpful. Acne causes, treatments and prevention,

These 7 things you should know about acne as they will help you to improve and maintain a beautiful skin.

1. Acne can affect anyone with any type of skin at any age.

If you are still in your teens, you can always hope that acne will go away as soon as you reach your twenties. However – I hate to spoil this moment, but I have to – quite a few people all over the world experience acne long after they become of age. Sad but true.

2. Your bacne is very similar to acne on your face

Most of the same products used on your face acne can treat your bacne as well. However be careful on benzoyl Peroxide as it can cause bleaching on clothes.

3. A diet high in sugar, and dairy can cause acne breakout.

Studies have shown associations between acne and both a high sugar diet and dairy products. If you have a break out every time you eat a certain type of food, it’s probably a good idea to avoid it for a while to see if it improves your skin. Be patient as it can take time to figure out what type of food is causing your skin to breakout but once you do, its much easier for you to maintain a healthy acne free skin.

4. Stress makes you break out.

Stress affects a lot of people and it can lead to breakouts for those who are prone to acne. Stress triggers a chemical reaction in the skin, which leads to acne flaring up. Stress is literally your skin’s worst enemy.

5. It takes time for your acne treatment to work

Be patient, and give your regimen a chance to see if it works. Sometimes when you first start using a new treatment, it can take some time before you start seeing some results. If you still don’t see it getting better after that, then its time to seek a help of a dermatologist.

6. Never pop your pimples

Rule of thumb is never to pop, scratch or pick your pimples. Pimples are already inflamed, so squeezing them will only make the inflammation worse, and may actually drive the acnes bacteria deeper into the pore. More importantly, when you pop a pimple it can even lead to scarring and discoloration. It’s best to wait it out and let it run its course. Just make sure to use only non-comedogenic makeup when you do, so it won’t further clog your pores. If you have one that needs to be popped then go to a dermatologist.

7. Having a cleansing routine that works for you, is a must

You can keep acne under control with daily cleansing, exfoliating and hydration and by sticking to a consistent routine, with the help of skincare products that work for you. Also our bodies and skin change throughout our lives depending on many factors like hormones, lifestyles, habits, environments, etc. What worked for you as a teenager may not do the job when you’re in your 30s. It’s important to watch your skin for any changes, most of which are quite manageable with a little patience and attention. It’s also extremely important to remove makeup before going to bed to keep acne at bay.

I was introduced to La Rochey Effaclar line and I have been loving the results. My current skin care regimen involves the following steps-

• First step- Effaclar Oil Free Micellar Water– It removes excess oil and leaves skin feeling refreshed. Its Paraben free, soap free, alcohol free and oil free.
• Second step- Effaclar Gel Cleanser For Oily Skin –  Cleanses without over-drying while maintaining skin’s pH
• Third step- Effaclar Mat Moisturizer For Oily Skin–  It absorbs access oil and provides oil free, hydration with antioxidants.

I also use Effaclar Clay Mask once a week as it helps in eliminating impurities such as dust and pollution and clarifies skin.

If you are experiencing breakouts, I recommend Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment! This dual action acne treatment visibly reduces all types of acne blemishes and those stubborn blackheads and whiteheads! It has 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide and 0.4% micro-exfoliating LHA, which helps to penetrate deep into clogged pores.

MY TOP 5 PRODUCTS THAT HELP WITH ACNE from La Rochey Posay-

1. Effaclar Oil Free Micellar Water

2. Effaclar Gel Cleanser

3. Effaclar Mat Moisturizer

4. Effaclar Clay Mask

5. Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment

So, don’t let that acne keep you down. Hopefully with this information you’ll be on your way to clearer skin.