Page 39 - Girl's Life (August - September 2019)

BEAUTY

I.D. YOUR ACNE

Here’s *exactly* how to break down your breakouts—because identifying your zit is the first step to treating it.

COMEDONAL INFL AMMATORY CYSTIC

WHITEHEADS PAPULES CYSTS & NODULES
THE ZIT: Tiny white dots THE ZIT: An inflamed, irritated red bump THE ZIT: Deep-rooted pimples that sit
beneath the skin’s surface • Cysts are
THE CAUSE: The *closed* pore gets THE CAUSE: Swollen, slightly painful filled with pus, while nodules are not
clogged with sebum and skin cells. pimples are also the result of bacteria
trapped in clogged pores. Your bod’s THE CAUSE: Hormones! (Which is why
YOUR MOVE: Stay clean (but you knew immune system is sending cells to fight they’re so much trickier to treat.)
that, right?) and exfoliate regularly. These the infection—ouch.
clogged hair follicles are eradicated most YOUR MOVE: Do. Not. Try. To. Pop. These.
easily through chemical exfoliation, which YOUR MOVE: “Inflamma- (K? Thanks!) If you’re dealing with
you can achieve by working salicylic acid tory cysts respond best to extreme acne, seek out a doc—they’ll
into your regimen (try a cleanser or toner). benzoyl peroxide, which likely recommend a regimen or RX antibi-
“Comedones [clogged pores] also respond penetrates into the pore otic. “For scarring acne or resistant acne,
very well to retinol treatment,” says Dr. to kill the bacteria,” says discuss options like Accutane with your
Shari Sperling of Sperling Dermatology. Dr. Sperling. Smooth on dermatologist,” says Dr. Sperling. (Just be
“I suggest Differin, which is available OTC a spot treatment in the sure to ask about any risks or side effects
and uses adapalene, an active retinoid, a.m. and p.m. of any treatment plan you consider.)
to balance skin cell production and
reduce inflammation.” AcneFree Terminator 10,
$5, acnefree.com
CRUCIAL
PUSTULES REMINDER
Differin Gel, $13, drugstores
THE ZIT: A pus-filled bump just *begging*
to be popped
BL ACKHEADS
THE CAUSE: See above: It’s basically PLEASE. WEAR.
THE ZIT: Tiny black dots a mini infection in your face. YOUR. SPF.
THE CAUSE: The *open* pore gets clogged YOUR MOVE: You can pop it…but proceed Think you can say bye to the
with sebum, dead skin and bacteria, then with caution. Use a warm compress to ’block just because beach season
reacts with oxygen to turn black. draw all the gross stuff to the surface, is over? When you’re treating
clean the area (and your fingers) with a
YOUR MOVE: Follow the whitehead swipe of salicylic acid and then gently acne—and using chemical actives
regimen above, but also call in a bit more squeeze. It should burst open easily—and like salicylic acid and benzoyl
backup—like a clay mask to suck out oil or if it doesn’t, stop immediately or peroxide on your face—it’s espe-
a pore strip that targets trouble areas. risk scarring. cially important to use SPF 30
on the daily. Slather on, sister.

C&C by Clean & Supergoop!
Clear Over Zit Superscreen Daily
Versed Find Clarity Purify- Spot Patches, Moisturizer, $38,
ing Mask, $10, Target $16, Ulta supergoop.com

HI-TECH Harness SONIC POWER Enlist LIGHT THERAPY
“A combined red and blue LED face mask kills
For serious exfoliation, this 60-second
SKIN device accelerates your skin’s surface acne-causing bacteria on the skin surface and
in the pores,” says L.A.-based dermatologist Dr.
cell renewal by powerfully polishing
HACKS away the dead stuff. Tsippora Shainhouse. “The light also calms red-
ness and inflammation caused by breakouts.”
Clarisonic Sonic Exfoliator (attaches to any
Clarisonic device), $39, clarisonic.com Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask, $40, drugstores

GL AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019 37