Zap Cysts & Pimples Overnight with this Cheap and Effective Trick!

After trying a variety of expensive spot treatments and then abandoning this trick (I have no idea why I would) the aspirin mask has been my savior for dramatically decreasing cysts and inflamed pimples overnight.  Most times it heals them overnight!  This mask is not a end all cure for acne, there is no cure for acne.  It reduces acne severity, controls and reduces acne.  Think of it as a 1-2x week or overnight treatment for your skin.  I use this as a overnight spot treatment as well as a weekly mask.  Do not use this treatment if you are allergic to aspirin, salicylic acid/willow bark.  Always do a patch test prior on inside of wrist to test skin.

Aspirin contains beta hydroxy acid, exfoliates dead skin cells, dramatically reduces inflammation and reduces redness.  Uncoated aspirin from walgreens, CVS, even the Dollar Store will work.  Crush the aspirin with a spoon or dissolve 2-5 tablets in a few drops of water to make a paste.  Apply with a q-tip, fingers or brush and leave on 5-20 minutes or overnight.  First time users should start with a lower time to prevent irritation.  Do not sleep with a full mask on your face, just spot treat.  It will dry and powder off the skin, which is normal.  Expect to have that powder in bed and on your pillowcase, but wake up to a dramatic decrease in cysts and inflamed pimples.

*Do not mix with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, ect.   These ingredients are too acidic for topical application and not stabalized  for skin application.

Grades of Acne & Appropriate Treatment

Grade 1:  Minimal blackheads, whiteheads and papules (red pimples). Treat w/ Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, sulfur, and triclosan.  Try Murad Gentle Acne Treatment Gel and Murad Pure Skin Clarifying Supplement.  L-Lysine supplement also improves skin healing and is great for collagen.  I suggest everyone with acne try this, use consistently.  I take 2-3 pills 2x a day.

Grade 2:  Consists of more then 10+ blackheads, whiteheads, inflammation, papules, pustules ( inflamed papule with white or yellow center containing pus), redness, milia (pearl like mass of sebum and dead skin cells under the skin more common in dry skin).  Same treatment as Grade 2.  If VERY oily try Murad Acne Exfoliating Treatment Gel.  Spot treat papules & pustules overnight with Acne Spot Treatment.  Birth Control can also be beneficial for acne grade 2-4.

Grade 3:  More red and inflamed then Grade 2.  Consists of 15-20 blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, papules, pustules, milia and found on face, neck, chest, back, arms and shoulders.  The most common grade of acne and  has a higher risk of scarring and deep pitting.  Look for treatment from a dermatologist, Retin-A  can do wonders.  Can be treated with Murad Acne Exfoliating Treatment Gel, if you have dry skin do not use this gel.

Grade 4:  Severe acne case.  Cystic acne (a closed sac of fluid./infection under the skin.  Tender, painful and cannot be extracted.)  Extreme redness, pustules, papules, whiteheads (may even be yellow or green implying infection), blackheads, and milia.  Oral & topical treatment is necessary from a dermatologist.  Treatment can range from topicals: Retin-A cream, Differin gel, Tazorac, Azelaic Acid and/ or Clindamycin.  Antibiotics: Sulfa (reduces oil production for very oily skin).  Accutane (oral acne antibiotic only given for most extreme cases. Warning! There are many side effects including depression, health problems, sever dryness, birth defects).  There are plenty more options for severe acne cases and should be discussed with your doctor or dermatologist.

• Acne prone skin that feels/looks leathery and thick is under exfoliated.  A vitamin A derivative like Retin-A or Renova is available through a dermatologist and is a topical peeling agent that flushes out follicles.  Acne prone skin in general benefits from topical exfoliants.
• Acne can be affected by genetics, hormones (male hormones-androgens, puberty, menstrual cycle, birth control), stress, diet (fast food, greasy/fried foods, sugar, excessive salt, processed food, dairy (try cutting dairy and add soy to your diet), cosmetics & products (make sure you use oil free products, avoid synthetics fillers like silicones, dimethicone, silica.)  Double check the ingredient list-many companies label their products, non-comedogenic (non pore clogging) or oil free misleading buyers.
• Even if your skin is extremely oily, it needs to be hydrated.  Use a oil free moisturizer like Murad Acne Perfecting Lotion.  It is formulated for oily and acne prone skin, controls breakouts and oil.  For those using prescription acne medications, you may need more moisture.  Some like CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and even Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture (even with the avocado, sunflower, olive fruit oil and shea butter) this moisturizer is a favorite among Retin-A  and Accutane users and doesn't cause breakouts.
• Accutune should ONLY be the LAST resort.  If your doctor or derm. is handing out Accutane prescriptions like skittles-RUN FAST.  The health risks are not worth it and they are being lazy about treating your skin correctly.

Product Shout Out! Renee Rouleau Anti Cyst Treatment

Great for lingering painful cysts, Renee Rouleau Anti Cyst Treatment works to reduce and heal cysts. If used immediately you will see a 50% healing time then without any treatment.  Cleanse face, apply a drop to new OR old cysts in the evening and  can be used 2-3 weeks as a preventative treatment for areas prone to breakouts.  Voted The Very Best Elle Essential Beauty Product by Elle Magazine, fans of this beauty product find it equal to a cortisone shot.  Available at Reneerouleau.com. 

• Free of Artificial Fragrance.
• Safe for sensitive skin.
• Ethyl Lactate decreases bacteria and inflammation.
• Purified Lactic Acid clears blocked pores.
• Carboxymethyl Cellulose carries ingredients deep within the pore allowing ingredients to take affect.

This post is not sponsored.

Easy Solutions to Prevent & Treat Breakouts

1) For hormonal breakouts around your chin, mouth, and jawline take Zinc supplements, B vitamin complex, and L-Lysine. I know its alot but they do help!  Taking supplements on a regular basis is important for preventing, treating and maintaining healthy skin.  Zinc prevents hormone imbalances that can lead to breakouts, is essential for healthy tissue renewal.  B vitamins help maintain healthy skin, L-Lysine is a essential amino acid that supports cell growth, function and form proteins.  Also important for healthy skin.  Murad Pure Skin Clarifying Supplement hits all marks (except L-lysine) contains a great number of acne fighting ingredients as well as detoxifying the system.

2) Breakouts from makeup brushes or cosmetics.  Clean your brushes once a week in warm water, fragrance free anti-bacterial liquid hand soap and baking soda.  Soak this solution in a cup for 10-15 mintues.  Fragrance can irritate skin.  Air dry with bristles facing upward sitting in a cup.  "Acne Cosmetica" is simply clogged pores from cosmetics.  Check ingredients prior to buying, make sure they are actually "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic".  I refer back to this list and research online prior to purchasing.  Become a Acne Detective with Zero Zits
Makeup primers with silicone/Dimethicone and Mac cosmetics WILL clog pores.

3) Talk on the phone, wear a headset or glasses/sunglasses? Clean it with alcohol after using it and prior to it coming into contact with your face.  You smash you face against your phone or headset, oil and bacteria smears on it, it sits there and smears back onto your face.  Alcohol wipes are great too.

4) Workout? Cleanse your face and body IMMEDIATELY after working out with Salicylic Acid (Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser, Benzoyl Peroxide (Acne Free Face Wash) or Triclosan  (Neostrata Antibacterial cleanser).  Sweat will clog pores.

5) Breakouts around hair line or from hair products. Hair products, conditioners and shampoos can easily clog pores.  Shampoo and conditioner must be rinsed out thoroughly in the shower. If you breakout on your face, back or chest wash your hair first, then cleanse your skin. Rinse, rinse, rinse!  This will prevent those products from causing breakouts.  Most hair products break me out so I just stick with aloe vera gel.  Products with oils, sillicones that are great for the hair, are not good for your skin. My rule is, if I cannot use it on my face, its not going in my hair.  You sweat and the product will run into your hairline causing clogged pores. I also refer back to the Zero Zits list when looking at hair products.

6) Launder clothes with a dye and scent free detergent.  This will prevent any irritation from towels and wash clothes and future breakouts.

7) Get an adequate amount of sleep each night.  When we sleep, our body regenerates and so does our skin.  If 8 hours is impossible, get at least 7 hours of sleep.

8) Huge inflamed pimple or CYST- ice it! Ice is anti-inflammatory.  Don't squeeze or pop it, this will damage tissue (leave extractions to a professional).  The ice will reduce the size and redness.  A secret weapon of mine is aspirin. Yes aspirin, crush aspirin with a spoon till finely ground up and add a few drops of water to make a paste.  Apply the paste with a q-tip to cyst or use as a face mask 1-2x week!  Leave on overnight for dramatic reduction of cysts.  Do not use this treatment if you are allergic to aspirin, willow bark, salicylic acid.   For day timed dab on some salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur or tea tree oil. Try Murad Spot Treatment with sulfur and/or Murad Acne Clarifying Mask as a spot treatment for pustules and papules.

9)  Change your pillow case every night.  Oil, debri, acne bacteria will breed on pillowcases causing clogged pores.