Pesky Pimples

Let's not lie, we all get them. Whether they are small, surface pimples, or the deep, oily monsters, pimples happen to everybody (maybe less for some). However, it is part of our beauty evolution.

For myself, pimples have been there some, gone some, and too much some! Depending on my age, weather, cycle (*cough, ladies), and emotion/stress, the pimples took on thier own agenda.

Never was acne, true acne, a huge dilemma for me. However, at the ripe age of 14, they really began to make thier mark. 8th grade I sailed through 'puberty' with very little skin problems (courtesy of Clarins). And then BAM! High school started and the rest is history.

At one point, I believe college, I began to develop oil wells. Hideous, I know. They are deep and pesky and incredibly hard to zap. I usually got a couple a year. I blame the stress, lack of sleep, heavy eating and drinking of any normal college student for this occurrence. Nonetheless, not a pretty sight. Thank God for bangs and good makeup. But, I'm happy to say, now, that these oil wells have not made an appearance in quite some time. Yes, thank you real world!

Now, I don't want to get too graphic and deep about my personal pimples. Really, who cares? But more importantly, let's discuss your best options and my favorite picks to really help rid yourself of those annoying pimples. All of them.

Firstly, cleanser. If you have pimples that are both small, surface villains as well as the occasional deep pimples (whiteheads included), go for a foaming cleanser while also remembering to EXFOLIATE once a week to renew the skin cells. Try Biore Revitalizing 4 in 1 Foaming Cleanser $7.49, and Clean and Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub, $5.08

For those who have real acne, I do suggest Proactiv. But note to readers, this is a light exfoliator and drying. If you have sensitive skin, you may be over scrubbing your skin while drying out your oil glands, which will only cause you to produce more oil. Hence, more pimples. So tread lightly and approach with caution. Seek a dermatologist if you need serious advice.

Secondly, moisturizer. Be sure to find an oil-free, non-greasy, won't clog pores ("Noncomodegenic") lotion, that hopefully contains SPF as well as no mineral oils. Try Clean and Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Moisturizer, $6.49 (no spf). SPF will cause a bit more shine, so if you are hesitant to have a seemingly oily face (or if you already have oily-combination skin), be sure to wear make up that contains SPF if you skip the SPF lotion. Physicians Formula and bareMinerals all have SPF in their products.

Thirdly, pimple concealer. I don't wear drying pimple cream at

night unless I have a real bugger of a pimple. Therefore, I use Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Concealer, $6.99. This concealer click pen contains an active ingredient of 0.5% Salicylic Acid to help reduce the redness and growth of the pimple, while drying it out. It comes in 4 shades so wear under your normal makeup. Be sure to blend and cover/pat with a dry powder. It is also small enough to carry in your clutch when you have a serious pimple! REMINDER: do not try to pop pimples and do not pick at your face. It is a vice, and we all try it, but you will give yourself nasty pimple scars. Who wants that? Nobody.

So tackle those pimples and face the world pimple free (hopefully)! ;)

Smooches,