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Girl, go ahead and pick up that chocolate bar you're craving. It won't make that period pimple on your chin any worse. Good nutrition has its place, but hormonal acne comes from hormones --- not chocolate or any other food. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology says that unless you're smearing them on your face, or wherever your pimples show up most, even fries dripping with oil won't cause acne, or make it any worse. There are some things you can do, though, to keep those monthly pimples from stopping your strut.
1.
Quit scrubbing your face so hard. Acne has nothing to do with a dirty face. It comes from excess oil production inside your pores, and that comes from hormonal shifts. Abrasive scrubbers and harsh soaps just irritate your skin and can make acne worse. Use gentle cleansers on your face twice a day and pat your face dry with a soft towel.
2.
Pick makeup that won't clog your pores or add oil to your skin. Look for noncomedogenic on the label, meaning it won't make acne worse. Stay away from heavy foundations and try powder eye shadows and blushes rather than cream-based formulas when your hormones are kicking in.
3.
Don't pick at your pimples. Your mama was right when she told you not to squeeze. It only causes the inflammation to worsen and the infection to go deeper in your skin. Picking and squeezing can also leave scars behind.
4.
Try an over the counter topical acne medication that has retinoid. The newer formulas with topical retinoid are less irritating than they used to be, according to the website AcneNet. They may also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and it's never too early for that. Just be sure to use a sunscreen along with the retinoid since it increases your risk of sunburn, no matter what color your silky smooth skin is.
5.
See your family doctor or a dermatologist if you're acne doesn't respond to home treatments. Doctors might prescribe low dose oral contraceptives to control hormonal fluctuations or a medication called spironolactone to reduce excessive oil production related to hormonal acne.
6.
Try exercising regularly. It won't make the acne go away, but it does help relieve stress --- and stress can increase the hormonal fluctuations that lead to acne. Exercise also helps with your energy and may decrease some of the bloating related to menstruation. Check with your doctor first, especially if you haven't exercised for a while.
