PIMPLES 101

There is tons of information out there on how to get rid of pimples. But what causes skin to break out, and what does it tell you about your body? Our DALTON Pimple 101 is here to help you find a way to control pimples and prevent future breakouts.

FACE MAPPING

Find the Cause of Your Breakouts

Your skin is the mirror of your soul. When you are stressed or not feeling well, it is reflected in your face. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the face can be separated into different zones which are connected to certain organs. This can help you identify the cause of your breakouts, based on where they appear.

Face Mapping divides the face into 7 zones:

If you are getting lots of pimples on the forehead, it may indicate certain problems with your liver or gall bladder. However, they can also be a result of permanent stress. Our tip: Try to reduce stress and cut down on greasy food and alcohol. Also, make sure to drink at least 2 liters of water a day, with herbal tea in between. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables can help to get rid of pimples as well.

In Face Mapping, the area between the eyebrows is linked to the stomach and liver. Help your body to flush out toxins to target these kinds of breakouts. Food intolerances can also lead to pimples in this area. You may want to avoid alcohol, caffeine and refined sugar to detox and balance the digestive system.

Pimples on the temples can be a sign that your kidneys are dehydrated or overworked. In that case, it is very important to drink plenty of water to replenish the missing fluids – at least 2 liters a day. Spinach, kale, berries and algae can help to bring your body back into balance.

Under-eye bags, dark circles and milia are indicators that your stomach, kidneys or liver may be out of balance. Stay away from sugar, alcohol and caffeine, drink plenty of water and try to get enough sleep to maintain a clear skin.

Pimples on the cheeks can be attributed to different causes, depending on where they are located. The upper area of the cheeks is said to be connected to the heart. Eating healthy fats, like those in avocado, salmon and nuts, can help to prevent pimples in this zone. If you are prone to breakouts in the middle region of your cheeks, this may have something to do with your stomach or lungs. Skin problems in this zone can oftentimes be caused by white flour based products and animal milk, but also by food intolerances. The lower region of the cheeks is a window to the liver and stomach. A build-up of toxins in the body can lead to pimples and blackheads. Detoxing and a healthy diet will help to keep breakouts at bay.

Pimples on the jawline may indicate hormonal imbalances. Apart from eating a healthy and balanced diet that includes whole grain products, vegetables and healthy fats, it is important to get to the bottom of what might cause the hormonal imbalance.

Teenagers are particularly prone to pimples on the mouth. Breakouts in this zone are usually linked to the digestive system (stomach & intestine). Consuming more fruit and vegetables can help to improve the look of your skin. Green juices or smoothies are also great to aid digestion and cleanse the body.

EXPERT ADVICE

How to Get Rid of Pimples?

Jasmin Zentara

Trained beautician & part of the product development team

There are many different causes for pimples to appear. Hormonal fluctuation, stress, poor diet or lack of sleep and fluids are all factors that contribute to the formation of blemishes. Many women also experience breakouts related to their menstrual cycle."

Super important: Keep your hands out of your face. Your fingers are constantly exposed to germs, bacteria and dirt from doorknobs, railings and especially smartphones. This can quickly lead to blemishes and inflamed pimples, so make sure to sanitize your smartphone regularly. If you are prone to breakouts, you should also regularly wash your towels and pillowcases in hot water. Or even better, dry your face with a tissue paper after cleansing.

As a general rule: Less is more. Using too many products at a time can overwhelm your skin and cause new breakouts – a vicious circle. Do not use face scrubs with rough particles as this will just spread the infection. You should also avoid alcohol-based products that dry out the skin. These kinds of products leave the skin dry and flaky, which in turn causes the skin to overcompensate by producing extra sebum, resulting in clogged pores and breakouts. What you need is a skincare regimen designed specifically for your skin type, with a cleanser, tonic, exfoliator, antibacterial mask and face cream with gentle, yet effective ingredients. If you keep getting pimples now and then, you can resort to an SOS product and apply it directly on the blemishes.

What most people consider typical pimples are small inflamed spots on the skin that contain pus. Comedones, on the other hand, are not inflamed. They appear as blackheads or whiteheads and they are the first stage of acne development. And then there are also blind pimples, or ‘underground pimples’. Never try to squeeze an underground pimple, as that will only drive the pus deeper into your skin.

We definitely recommend seeing an esthetician regularly if you have blemish-prone skin. They can help you determine what causes your breakouts, give you helpful tips for dealing with them and put together a skincare routine that fits your individual needs. They can also safely do extractions for you, to clear acute pimples, avoid scarring and help stop the breakout cycle.

SKINCARE ROUTINE

For Blemish-Prone Skin

Proper facial cleansing

The first step to blemish-free skin is proper cleansing. If your skin is prone to breakouts, it is especially important to remove all traces of make-up and sebum buildup. Our moisturizing cleansing milk is ideal for dry skin with blemishes. If you have oily, blemish-prone skin, you should opt for a refreshing cleansing gel. The second step is to clarify the skin with an alcohol-free anti-pimple tonic.

How to exfoliate acne-prone skin

Regular exfoliation is the key to a smooth complexion and it preps the skin for other products like masks or moisturizers to be easily absorbed. If you have acne or inflamed pimples, you should avoid using face scrubs with granules, however, as that can spread the infection. Enzyme Peeling or AHA Peelings are ideal to gently remove dead skin cells without irritating the skin.

The best face masks for pimples

Our anti-inflammatory, clarifying face mask works to prevent breakouts and clogged pores and helps to reduce acute pimples. The vegan anti-blemish sheet mask clears your pores and reduces pimple size.

How to clear pimples fast

Apply the SOS Spot Concentrate directly on the pimple for instant blemish relief. Follow with a moisturizer that suits your skin type.

Get professional help

Combining a consistent skincare routine at home with regular treatments from an esthetician is absolutely the way to go if you suffer from breakouts and acne-prone skin. We recommend to ask for a professional extraction and/or AHA treatment.

Anti-pimple face creams

There are countless moisturizers for blemish-prone skin out there. A good anti-pimple cream aims to clear breakouts and blemishes, but it also needs to address the individual needs of your skin type. If you have dry, blemish-prone skin, you need a cream with moisturizing properties. Your cream for oily , blemish-prone skin ideally provides a mattifying effect, without over-drying the skin. If you are starting to notice the first signs of lines and wrinkles, we recommend an anti-aging cream for blemish-prone skin.