Even if you’re blessed with “that good
skin,” breakouts are inevitable. We’ve all been privy to the countless culprits that leave us with blemishes–stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes–and probably dabbled in the quick fixes that promise fast results.
Spot treatments are particularly attractive because they’re made with a concentrated ingredient that directly combats a specific issue. And when the packaging promises overnight results, how can you not try it?!
Well, we’ve tried them all and while some have worked better than others, trial and error reminds us that
how we use a product will have an undeniable impact on the type of results we see. This is especially important for those of us who are constantly trying to eliminate
dark spots and acne scars.
So, we’re going back to spot treament basics with Julie Clark, founder of Province Apothecary, a cult favorite organic brand that specializes in holistic beauty.
For starters, it’s important to identify the stressors that are giving you skin problems in the first place.
In addition to the ones we’ve already mentioned, lack of hydration, not washing your pillowcase and the normal vices (alcohol, sugar, smoking) could all be contributing to your winter-to-spring skin woes.
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According to Clark, “in TCM and Aryuveda (Chinese and Indian medicine systems), each section of your face corresponds to different body parts, but it can sometimes be more confusing when you isolate and focus on this.”
“I like to think of it like this- if you are breaking out, your body is telling you: you are out of balance and showing signs of inflammation and that you need to slow down and take better care of yourself.”
This is where a spot treatment comes in handy. Although it should never replace your cleanser, adding one into your routine means you can cut the time it takes to get rid of a blemish in half. They’re suitable for all skin types, but again, be sure that the ingredients won’t interfere with your skin’s natural chemistry.
For instance, Province Apothecary’s
Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum is great for sensitive skin because it’s made with tumeric and calendula, both of which are best for reducing spots.
“They are gentle on the skin but extremely powerful ant-inflammatories,” Clark adds. “They naturally help your body calm redness and inflammation. The worse thing you can do is dry your skin out with harsh chemicals or drying essential oils (like tea tree).”
Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to one, remember that a little goes a long way. For the
Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum specifically, shake before using and place just one drop on the blemish. Give it two to five minutes to absorb and repeat 3-4 times a day.
Clark adds, “Applying it once in the morning and once at night also works very well.”
“It’s most noticeable in the morning, after a good night’s sleep and applying the spot treatment before bed…Another secret is to NEVER pick your face. If you pick, you will scar and everything will take three times as long to heal.”
At the end of the day, no two blemishes are the same, so choose wisely and remember to solving your
skin’s most deep-rooted problems will take time and extra care.
Click here to shop the entire Province Apothecary lineup!
