TreatingAcne/Blind pimples
We have all had them… The dreaded blind pimple. It's like a surprise party that nobody wants to attend. Just when you think you're in the clear, BAM! A painful cluster of lumps appear on your face with no warning or invitation and usually with impeccable timing just before a social event, date or holiday. Joy.
But don't worry, I’m here to shed some light on the mysterious world of blind pimples and give you some tips on how to deal with them. I will also share my own acne journey and the routine I used to prevent and cure.
First things first: what are blind pimples? Well, they're like the ninjas of the pimple world. They hide deep within the skin and don't have a visible opening like other pimples. This means that they're harder to treat and can take longer to heal.
But fear not, here are some tricks & products to help you banish those sneaky little buggers. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Resist the urge to pick: I know, I know. It's tempting to give that pimple a good squeeze and hope for the best. But trust me, this will only make things worse. Picking at a blind pimple can cause more inflammation and make it take even longer to heal. Plus, you risk introducing bacteria into the pimple, which can lead to an infection.
Spot treatments: Look for one that contains ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can help to unclog pores and reduce inflammation. My all time favourites are Acnecide (You can get this from Amazon for under £10) and The Salicylic Exfoliating Toner - treats acne by reducing swelling and redness and unplugging blocked skin pores to allow pimples to shrink.
Prevention is always better than cure, having the right skincare routine from the start. It's also a good idea to avoid touching your face throughout the day, as this can transfer bacteria from your hands to your skin.
Here you will see my journey over the past 6 months - getting rid of the blind pimples was the easy part in hindsight. The Journey to glass skin is actually where the fun started. The aftermath of the blind pimples was acne scars (again, a reminder here not pick your skin!) and also pigmentation.
November 2022 - A face full of blind pimples
November 2022 - Your reminder not to pick!
Feb 2023 - Combatted the blind pimples but left with acne scars. This started a new skin journey of working on skin tone and fading the acne scars/pigmentation
March 2023 - Nearly a clear complexion - last of the pigmentation/acne scars to go!
Routine/Ingredients
Below is the Routine I used Religiously. Product links and Ingredients listed below.
Daily/AM Routine
LumiSpa + Blemish Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Toner
Blemish Serum
Niacinamide
Thirst Fix Moisturiser
Daily/PM Routine
LumiSpa + Blemish Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Toner
Niacinamide
Acncide
Thirst Fix Moisturiser
Weekly Routine (2/3 times a week)
Microneedling
AHA Peel Pads
LumiSpa
The non negotiable for me in my routine is the LumiSpa. This is your prevention + cure device in one. Consistency is key. Something I never was before.
What is it - facial cleansing + anti ageing device that uses a patented dual-action motion to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin. The silicone head oscillates at a specific frequency to provide a gentle yet effective cleansing experience. The Lumispa is designed to help remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin, as well as promote circulation and improve collagen production.
LumiSpa Blemish Cleanser
Treatment Cleanser specially formulated to work in conjunction with the Lumispa to provide targeted benefits to your skin type.
Salicylic Acid - This is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that is known for its ability to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. It can help to remove dead skin cells, oil, and debris from the pores, which can help to prevent the formation of new blemishes.
Mandelic Acid - This is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that is gentler than other AHAs like glycolic acid. It can help to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover, which can help to improve the overall texture and tone of the skin.
Niacinamide - This is a form of vitamin B3 that is known for its ability to soothe and calm the skin. It can also help to reduce the appearance of redness and inflammation, which are common in blemish-prone skin.
Willowherb Extract - This is a natural extract that has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It can help to reduce redness and irritation in the skin, which can be beneficial for those with blemish-prone skin.
Here you Glow toner - Salicylic
Features a formula with an effective 10% blend of AHAs, BHA, and PHA to leave skin visibly soft, smooth, and glowing.
Helps increase the cell turnover rate by exfoliating and “ungluing” dead skin cells from the skin surface.
Unclogs pore-blocking dirt and oil and visibly reduces the appearance of pores.
Helps improve the appearance of spots for clearer, cleaner skin.
Hydrates skin by attracting and binding moisture to leave it looking healthier and more supple.
Prepares skin for additional products like serums and moisturisers.
Salicylic acid: A beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates the skin and unclogs pores.
Mandelic acid: An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to exfoliate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Willow herb extract: A natural ingredient that has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and irritation associated with acne breakouts.
Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce redness and irritation associated with acne.
Tea tree oil: An essential oil that has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help to reduce acne breakouts and prevent new ones from forming.
Vitamin E: An antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to the development of acne.
Licorice root extract: A natural ingredient that has anti-inflammatory and skin-lightening properties, which can help to reduce redness and hyperpigmentation associated with acne.
These ingredients work together to help exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, soothe inflammation, and prevent new acne breakouts from forming.
Niacinamide
It is a form of vitamin B3… I love the Paulas Choice 20% Niacinamide or a cheaper option at is the Ordinary 10% Niacinamide.
Regulating sebum production: Niacinamide can help to regulate the amount of sebum (oil) that the skin produces, which can reduce the likelihood of developing acne.
Reducing inflammation: Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness, irritation, and other signs of inflammation on the skin.
Improving skin barrier function: Niacinamide can help to improve the skin's barrier function, which can reduce moisture loss and improve the skin's ability to retain hydration.
Lightening hyperpigmentation: Niacinamide has been shown to have skin-lightening properties, which can help to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.
Benzoyl Peroxide - I use Acnecide.
Kills acne-causing bacteria: Benzoyl peroxide produces oxygen in the skin, which helps to kill the bacteria that contribute to acne breakouts.
Helps to unclog pores: Benzoyl peroxide also helps to unclog pores by removing excess oil and dead skin cells from the skin's surface.
Reduces inflammation: Benzoyl peroxide has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and swelling associated with acne breakouts.
Prevents new breakouts: Benzoyl peroxide can also help to prevent new acne breakouts from forming by reducing the amount of bacteria and oil on the skin's surface.
Thirst Fix Hydrating Moisturiser
Delivers hydration: Thirst Fix contains a blend of hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which help to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Soothes and refreshes: Thirst Fix also contains ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile, which have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. These ingredients can help to calm and refresh the skin, especially if it is feeling dry, irritated, or sensitive.
Enhances absorption of other products: Thirst Fix can also be used as a pre-treatment step to help enhance the absorption of other skincare products.
Microneedling
Increased product absorption: Microneedling creates tiny microchannels in the skin, which can help to increase the absorption of topical products, including acne treatments. I use this at night time before applying serums.
Exfoliation: Microneedling can help to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover, which can be beneficial for acne-prone skin that is often congested and prone to breakouts.
Reduced appearance of scars: Microneedling can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars by stimulating collagen production and promoting the growth of new, healthy skin cells.
Reduced inflammation: Microneedling can also help to reduce inflammation in the skin, which can be beneficial for acne-prone skin that is often inflamed and irritated.
Two-step at-home facial peel designed to help improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of breakouts, fine lines and wrinkles, and promote a more radiant complexion. The key ingredients in the peel and neutralizer are:
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs): The peel contains a blend of AHAs, including glycolic acid and lactic acid, which work to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. This helps to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Beta-hydroxy acid (BHA): The peel also contains salicylic acid, a BHA that penetrates deep into the pores to help unclog them and reduce the appearance of blackheads and acne.
Vitamin E: The neutralizer contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Aloe vera: The neutralizer also contains aloe vera, a soothing ingredient that helps to calm the skin and reduce any redness or irritation caused by the peel.
Shopping links are underlined. For Nuskin products outside of the UK, please message me for direct discounted links.