Oh No I’ve Got a Zit!

By Guest Writer, Sarah Cook, who will be presenting in our Back to the Basics of Life Seminar Series this Tuesday, October 20, at 8 pm CST / 9 pm EST / 6 pm PST on Healthy Skin & Radiant Beauty

7 Skin Care Tips to Keep Acne Away

I remember my hard tween years when I first started experiencing acne before anyone else in my class. It was awkward, uncomfortable and downright embarrassing. Even now, “thanks” to my Dad’s genes I still occasionally battle the unsightly zits that randomly appear on my face. I am so grateful that for the last 16 years I have used exceptional skin care that has not only helped heal and prevent blemishes but has also helped me reduces and even eliminate past scarring from deep acne damage. Let me share with you some simple tips I use to keep my skin as flawless and blemish free as possible.

Tip 1: AM/PM Power Play

Wash your face in the morning and night but not more than three times a day with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Do not use soap as they often have ingredients which strip your skin of hydration. This can cause your skin to overcompensate by producing more oil which can actually make the problem worse. Gently massage your face with circular motions but never scrub which can cause the skin to be irritated. After cleansing, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an over-the-counter (no prescription needed) lotion containing benzyol peroxide. This will decrease oil and bacteria.

Tip 2: Don’t Pop It!

I know it’s tempting! I wanted to do it myself on many occasions but here’s why it isn’t a good idea. Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin. It can also cause more swelling and redness, bleeding, and even scarring.

Tip 3: Hands off!

Not only is it bad for you to have your hands on your faces other things can pose a problem too. Your fingers and objects like cell phones and glasses collect sebum, skin residue and bacteria. Touching your face can spread the bacteria and dirt that may cause pores to become inflamed and irritated. Always be sure to wash your hands before you apply any treatments or makeup to your face.

Tip 4: Body Breakouts

Allow your skin to breathe by wearing clothes that aren’t too tight. It is a good idea to stay away from scarves, headbands, and hats and ball caps, which can collect dirt and oil, too. If you really want to wear them be sure that you wash them after each use.

Tip 5: Sleeping Beauty Never Sleeps in Makeup!

Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say “noncomedogenic” on the label. Another important point to make is to be sure the products you purchase are 100% guaranteed. There is nothing worse than being stuck with a product that doesn’t work and wasting your money. Throw away old makeup that smells or looks different from when you first bought it.

Tip 6: Keep it UP and Clean

Keep hair clean by washing it daily and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores. I recommend that hair always be put up when you sleep at night so you are sure that it isn’t all over you when you sleep.

Tip 7: Full Spectrum Protection

I can’t stress enough the value of a full-spectrum skin care product that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB ray sun damage. A tan may seem to mask acne, but it’s only temporary. A tan can cause the body to produce extra sebum, which may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.

So there you have it, 7 quick tips to help you achieve a flawless face without the use of any makeup. If you have further questions, be sure to contact me. I would love to be of service. Have a “beautiful” day because you are!

Sarah Cook has worked on a volunteer basis for over 18 years in the children’s, youth, and women’s ministries at her church. For the last 15 years, Sarah has enjoyed being a mentor and coach to hundreds of women in and out of her direct sales skin care and cosmetics organization.

She has earned national recognition in her company placing in the National Queen’s Court of Sharing as well as ranking two times in the Queen’s Court of Personal Sales. She has received numerous awards, but where Sarah finds the most joy is in working with women one-on-one or in small groups to discover and embrace their God-given beauty both inside and out. Her training with international make-up artists such as Robert Jones, John Maxwell, and Danton Thompson brings added value to her clients as well as the team of consultants she mentors.

Sarah can be best described as upbeat, passionate, and engaging. She graduated with a BA in Family Studies from Utah State University and has been married to her husband Jerry for 16 years. Together they have 3 children, Jacob, Clarissa and Jonathan. Sarah enjoys home-schooling their oldest two children and spending time with her family.

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