Free Shipping On All Orders Of $75+
Free Shipping On All Orders Of $75+
January 17, 2022 7 min read
Ben Franklin famously said that nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes, but we think he forgot a third (and equally delightful ) thing: acne.
Whether it’s the occasional pimple or a full-on breakout, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t dealt with at least a few zits here and there. Yet for something that’s so common, the acne treatment advice that’s out there can be contradictory, confusing, and all over the map.
So today we thought we’d--ahem-- clear up the best ways to care for yourself and your skin when you’re experiencing blemishes. Without further ado, here is our acne self-care guide.
Let’s start with the basics. Acne can manifest in a lot of different ways. It’s not just your typical pimple. Acne can also include whiteheads, blackheads, and hard, painful cysts. Many people with acne also have acne rosacea: clusters of small, red bumps on the skin.
Acne is most common on your face, neck, back and chest. But it can pop up just about anywhere. (And yes, we do mean anywhere.) This is because acne is a result of pores in your skin that get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. So virtually anywhere you have skin, you can also get a zit.
And for the record, you shouldn’t blame yourself if you have acne. Not only is it extremely common--studies indicate at least 80 percent of people have it--but it can be due to factors that are hard to control, like genetics and hormones.
Here are a few other common contributors to breakouts:
Besides some bad luck in your DNA and fluctuations in hormones, you can also get acne from certain medications . These include but are not limited to certain types of birth controls, bioidentical hormones, steroids and more. Some supplements, like biotin, can also promote acne.
We don’t ever advise ceasing medication use without speaking to your doctor, but you’ll be happy to know that there are measures you can take if you determine your meds are the acne culprit. Sometimes, adding a specific vitamin to your routine can help counteract the medication’s effects.
Moreover, using hair products and skin products with pore-clogging ingredients are one of the biggest offenders when it comes to zits, and unfortunately many acne “remedies” passed around the internet, like using coconut oil on your skin, will make your breakouts worse. Even more sadly, many products marketed as non-comedogenic (AKA non-pore-clogging) don’t live up to their claims.
When choosing hair and skin products that work for you, your best bet is to do your research. Work with a certified skincare professional if that’s within your means, or do a quick google search for pore-clogging ingredient checkers to get some guidance.
Keep in mind, anything that touches your skin, including fabrics like your pillowcase or your favorite hat, have the potential to exacerbate your acne. So we recommend washing everything with an unscented, gentle detergent to be safe.
Another thing that likely spends a lot of time touching your face these days? Masks . These bad boys can cause acne on even the most zit-resistant skin. Luckily, there are a few precautions you can take to reduce maskne, as it’s affectionately been dubbed:
Changes in weather and humidity can also contribute to breakouts. Obviously, you can’t control the weather (wouldn’t that be nice!) so this is one situation where patience is key. Eventually, your skin will adjust to a change in environment. However, you can help your skin do its job by avoiding heavy products that block sweating in humid weather and using a good quality moisturizer in dry weather.
If you do find that you’re getting sweaty when you go outside (or when you exercise or take a trip to the sauna), be sure to wash your face as soon as you can, and follow up with a pH balancing toner .
That said, you don’t want to over wash your face , as this can lead to dry skin and overproduction of oil, which creates more acne. Keep your face washing to three times per day at most, or two if you’re not fitting in a sweaty workout session.
But it’s not all about what you put on your face; what you put in your body matters too. Eating acne-promoting foods won’t help you get clear skin. And while these will vary from person to person, it’s safe to assume that anything processed or laden with sugar won’t help you glow. Many folks find that dairy and/or gluten lead to pimples, so you might try eliminating those foods for a few weeks and see how your skin fares.
Finally, while poor lifestyle factors like too much stress and lack of sleep may not cause acne, they can exacerbate it, so do your best to care for your overall health; it’ll only help your skin.
We know, this is a lot of information; and it can feel overwhelming at first. But as you incorporate these changes and habits into your lifestyle, they’ll become second nature (and your skin will thank you). To make this process easier, we’ve made a checklist of daily, weekly and monthly items that will help keep your skin stay clear and in balance.
Of course, what you do every single day will have the biggest impact on how your skin looks, so try to make each of these a habit:
To get the best results for your skin, there are a few tasks you may want to incorporate into your routine once or twice a week. To make them extra indulgent, save them for a designated self-care afternoon.
Every few weeks, there are steps you can take to level up your skincare routine.
The good news about taking care of your skin is that you’re taking care of your whole self. The same things that benefit your complexion, like healthy food and sunscreen, keep your entire body thriving. That’s why we’re confident that your acne self care journey will reap benefits far beyond just fewer pimples.
If you’d like to get started caring for your acneic skin today, many of the products we’ve mentioned in this article are available at a reduced price when bundled in our 4-step facial set , which is the perfect place to start on your skincare journey.
All of the products we sell at Wild Ice are kept cold until the moment we ship them to you, which means that they retain maximum potency and don’t contain unhealthy preservatives, because we think your skin deserves the best.
If you embark on an acne self-care journey this year, we’d love to hear how it goes. Drop us a line or comment below. We can’t wait to see you glow!
Mila (pronounced 'mee-luh') is mother of three, wife, and founder of Wild Ice, an all-natural cold-preserved skincare line dedicated to bringing the best of care to women everywhere.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
May 08, 2022 3 min read
May 06, 2022 2 min read
April 22, 2022 2 min read
The four step process using Wild Ice products starts the day with positive vibes and smiles! Look good, feel good ... be nice ... use Wild Ice!
These products are absolutely amazing. They smell so good, and I’ve noticed a difference in the elasticity of my skin as well as the brightness and the few wrinkles I have. I have acne breakouts sometimes, but there has been a noticeable difference in how big the breakouts are and how fast they heal. Every time I wash my face, I feel like I am truly treating myself, and it feels so so good, especially because it’s all natural. I never want to stop using these products, and I can’t wait to try more! I think Mila is an absolute genius down to packaging her products. (They’re eco friendly.🥲)
DBT Baba Yaga is fantastic. I’m 70+ and this cream makes my skin feel so good. A little bit is all you need.
It’s very refreshing and my skin does not feel oily in the morning
Last year I stumbled upon this product at the Rosemary Beach Farmer's Market and I fell in love. I use it EVERY day. My day doesn't feel right without it. It gives me a natural glow and my skin feels so dewey.
I love how it glides onto my skin. It’s not greasy at all. My skin feels hydrated & glows!
These products are wonderful. My face was distressed after using a very irritating product. A few days of Wild Ice routine and a huge difference. Feels absolutely amazing
I tried this product when I was in Florida at a farmers market and quickly became obsessed! It is the perfect texture and it is doing wonders for my face. I can really tell when I go without, so I try not to! It leaves my skin smooth and hydrated and feeling great!
This is the second purchase.Wew talked to Mila on vacation at the farmers market at her tent.
Wonderful product with a natural glow.Works Great,
Thank you
I am really enjoying my Wild Ice ritual! The Baba Yaga is so light yet effective. I love how smoothly it goes on and how it leaves my skin soft without feeling heavy or greasy.
It's working Great.
Soft and luxiurius.
Love how this product add radiant and makes my skin looks healthier!
At 70+ years old with dry, sensitive skin, I am very pleased with this product. My skin felt smoother and shinier after using as directed. I am delighted with the results from using Yuki-Onna Facial Mask and am recommending it to my friends.
This is my second bottle of this stuff. I use Mila’s 4 step facial wash and care package. I use this toner after the blue minty face wash and before Cryo C and my moisturizer. I can’t say I really know how toner works except to prep my face for my serum and moisturizer. I can say that my complexion is looking better and better and I’d almost swear my wrinkles I’ve acquired during my 40 plus years are disappearing!
I purchased this regimen last October 2022. I noticed my skin is more hydrated, glows and fresh looking without makeup! I’m a satisfied customer!