Skin Problems Solved #3: 4 Ways to Treat Your Acne

Amber Rose holds two illustrious titles – the first as Kanye West’s girlfriend and the other as Hue Knew It’s cover girl of the week. Before you get too excited, we’re focusing less on the former exotic dancer’s curves, and putting the spotlight right on her seemingly flawless face which works perfectly for the third skin care topic in my series of four – doing away with acne four ways to treat your acne.

While I trained to get my skin care therapist license, there was one product I just had to have when I gave facials – Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque, Mint Julep ($3.99, drugstore.com). The price-point worked perfectly in my budget and the payoff was big for my clients of all skin types. This mask does four things: dries pimples, rinses away blackheads, cleans your pores and improves the appearance of enlarged pores.

Note: I’m always wary of saying that a product can shrink enlarged pores because I just don’t believe it. If you have large pores (which usually equates to someone having oily skin), a product can’t shrink them, but a mask like this one can make your entire face feel firm to the touch and temporarily make your large pores appear smaller.

It’s like going down memory lane with this next product. I also used Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment ($32, qvc.com) in my many facial treatments. If you need heavy-duty help with your acne and you don’t think a mask will work, then this product is for you. No matter your skin type, you can use it as a spot treatment (worn over makeup) for light acne or as an area treatment 2-3 times a day (on a clean face) to combat future acne breakouts.

If all you need is a dab of medicine to kill that pimple, then check out Boo Boo Zap! by Benefit ($20, sephora.com). The combination of salicylic acid and camphor (a counter irritant for infections) calms down the swelling and redness in your ever-growing zit. Say goodbye to that boo boo.

And last, but not least on my list, Leaf & Rusher .2 Acne Serum ($40, saksfifthavenue.com) goes beneath the surface to address the cause of acne and reduces the frequency of breakouts. Natural ingredients like soy extract works with our hormonal changes, licorice extract stops acne bacteria from forming and Vitamin C Ester stimulates cell renewal which means that old skin is being removed while new healthy skin is taking it’s place.

Tip:  Don’t pick! Resist the urge to pick an acne lesion. If you don’t, you’ll likely end up with a dark spot which opens up another issue that needs treating – hyperpigmentation.

Hue Knew It? I did.