Facial care
How celebrities treat their acne - Tips & advice
Table of Contents
We've all struggled with blemishes or acne at some point in our lives, so why are celebrities any different? Some of your favourite actors, musicians and even models have openly shared that they've had skin conditions at times.
Given that celebrities have the money and resources to get the world's best dermatologists and spend money on great products, it may seem like we ordinary people are fighting an uphill battle. However, there are plenty of treatments that can be done at home to prevent acne and that even celebrities use!
What is acne?
There is a huge misconception about what acne really is. Acne is a very common skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles under the skin become clogged. Oil and dead skin cells collect in these pores and cause pimples. It is most common that acne synonym occurs in the face, but it can also appear on the body in areas such as the back, chest and shoulders. Anywhere you have pores you can get acne!
Acne can also be caused by hormonal changes. Because of this, most people experience acne during their teenage years up to their early 20s. Women can also suffer from acne during menstruation. Hormonal acne can also be genetic.
There are a few different types of acne, and it is possible to have two or more types of acne at the same time. It can also be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Some subcategories of acne that fall into these two categories are:
- With blackheads
- Infected pimples
- Papula
- Pustler
- Tubers
- Cystor
Some forms of acne can be treated at home and can be prevented with over-the-counter products, but severe forms of acne should be treated by a dermatologist.
What can cause acne?
There are four main factors that cause acne: excessive oil production, oil and dead skin cells, bacteria and inflammation. Every pore on your skin is the opening to a follicle. This follicle consists of a hair and a sebaceous gland (oil gland). The oil gland releases sebum (oil) which keeps the skin smooth and soft. However, it is possible that the oil gland produces too much oil, that dead skin cells can accumulate in the pores or that bacteria can also accumulate in the pores. These problems cause what we know is acne.
Myths about what causes acne are quite common. People think that fast food can cause acne because of the oiliness of the food. Believe it or not, this is not what causes acne. Factors that can put you at risk of developing acne include:
- Hormonal changes caused by puberty, pregnancy, menopause or menstruation.
- Certain medications, especially birth control pills or corticosteroids.
- A diet high in refined sugar or carbohydrates, such as bread or crisps.
- Genetic
- Constant stress.
Everyone is at risk of developing acne at some point in their lives. The type and severity of acne can change depending on several factors. To better understand what type of acne you may have, it is best to consult a doctor before starting any treatment.
Myths about acne
Because this is a problem that so many people have had for so long, there are many myths about what does and doesn't cause acne. Contrary to what some rumours say, these factors have little or no effect on acne:
- Chocolate and fatty foods. Eating chocolate or fatty foods has little or no effect on acne.
- Acne is not caused by dirty skin. In fact, over-cleansing the skin or using a harsh exfoliant to try to "get deep into the pores" can lead to skin irritation and make acne worse.
- Make-up does not necessarily make acne worse. There are plenty of oil-free makeup products designed not to clog pores.
Secrets of favourite celebrities
Whether it was in the past or if it's something they're dealing with now, all celebrities have struggled with blemishes and acne at some point in their lives. Here's what different celebrities have to share about their acne journey and how they achieve results, from healthy eating to their favourite face wash.
Natalie Portman swears by a vegan diet.
In an interview she did, Portman revealed that she often struggles with blemishes, even in her adult life. She says that if she switched from a vegetarian diet to a vegan diet, her skin improved drastically. She started by cutting out dairy and eggs and soon saw the results she wanted. This discovery may not work for everyone, but a small study has shown that dairy products can worsen acne.
Victoria Beckham eats salmon every day.
Beckham has admitted that she has struggled with acne for many, many years. It has been well documented in the media, even during her Spice Girls period. Her dermatologist recommended that she eat salmon every day. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that has been proven to have anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
Bella Thorne tried Accutane, but now uses prescription gels.
Accutane is a powerful prescription drug that can cure acne permanently, with fairly intense side effects. After taking the drug for almost two years, Thorne continued to break out. Accutane is a permanent cure for about 85 % of the patients who take it, but Thorne was unfortunately among the other 15 % for whom it didn't work. Instead, she now uses a prescription drug called clindamycin phosphate and refrain from touching or irritating their spots.
Chloë Grace Moretz, however, succeeded with Accutane.
The actress had severe cystic acne growing up. She adjusted her diet and tried many over-the-counter products before starting Accutane. Consult a doctor and do plenty of research on the drug before starting.
Rihanna chooses to cut down on alcohol.
There is some evidence to suggest that alcohol consumption can worsen acne, possibly by affecting hormones, feeding skin bacteria or increasing inflammation. Rihanna's simple strategy for clearing her skin involves cutting back on alcohol and overdoing it on the water.
Katy Perry is a fan of Proactiv.
To this day, Perry uses the brand's exfoliant and toner daily. Although she's no longer a paid spokesperson, she still swears by the products that helped clear her skin when she was 23 years old. The Proactiv products' active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which effectively eliminates acne bacteria.
Julianne Hough keeps her cool with ice.
Although Hough is a current spokesperson for Proactiv, her skin secret is simple. She uses a really cold washcloth or even an ice pack in areas where she feels a big fin coming on. This takes away the swelling and prevents her from popping it and risking irritation or scarring.
Scarlett Johansson makes sure hers face and makeup brushes are ALWAYS clean.
After a night out or a big event on the red carpet, Johansson never forgets to remove her make-up and wash the face with a clarifying face wash. She also recommends washing your makeup brushes at least once a week. They can hold a lot of dirt and bacteria, two things that cause pimples.
Emma Stone opts for cortisone shots.
Deep, painful pimples like cysts and lumps can take weeks to disappear on their own. However, a cortisone shot from a dermatologist can make them disappear in a few days. These injections contain a steroid that fights inflammation and prevents the outbreak from developing.
Cameron Diaz stopped eating junk food.
The actress admitted that she used to have severe acne which she tried to treat with harsh prescription remedies. By making the simple change of eliminating junk food from her diet, Diaz began to see results. Foods that are high on the glycemic index - a measure of how quickly a food raises your blood sugar - can worsen acne symptoms.Kendall Jenner cleared her skin with laser treatments.
Jenner recalls that her acne problems began around the time she hit puberty. Now she swears by a treatment called Laser Genesis. This treatment uses a laser to eliminate redness and stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. It's an expensive treatment at around $250 per session, but is there anything out of reach for the Kardashian-Jenner family?
Kate Bosworth uses a combination of treatments.
Why use one method when you can choose two? With the help of professional experts who gave her the go-ahead to combine acne treatments, Bosworth uses a prescription gel and a supplement to fight stubborn acne. Aczone is a gel that contains dapsone, which kills acne bacteria and reduces inflammation. In addition, she takes a supplement that contains nightlights, which reduce inflammation in the skin.
Products that work against acne
While the rich and famous opt for $250+ laser treatments and cortisone injections, the solution to acne is sometimes more cost-effective and simple. Some great products to keep your favorite celebrity's skin flawless are tea tree oil, cleansing oils, face masks and spot treatments.
Before you find products that work for your skin, we recommend you see a specialist who can tell you exactly what your skin needs. Skin care routines require a lot of research and testing. When you find your perfect combination of products, you'll know!
Professional dermatology treatments
If you've tried over-the-counter acne treatment or retail acne products for several weeks and adjusted your lifestyle and diet to reduce acne and they still haven't helped, ask your doctor about prescription solutions.
Dermatologists have some solutions that might work better for your skin, including:
- Retinoids and retinoid-like medicinal products
- Antibiotics
- Azelaic acid and salicylic acid
- Dapson
- Combined oral contraceptives
- Anti-androgenic agents
- Isotretinoin
- Light therapy
- Chemical peeling
- Drainage and extraction
- Steroid injections
Vivre skin care tool
To help remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new cells, the Vivre® Premium Ultrasonic Facial Scrub & Peeling and Vivre® Skin Perfector 6 in 1 super effective.
With Vivre products, your skin's imperfections, superficial acne scars and age spots will become less visible. Your skin's texture and elasticity will visibly improve, and Vivre can also help to soften the appearance of large pores and fine lines.