Photography: Lucy Alcorn

CHEEKS

Holistic skin analysis suggests that our cheeks represent our lungs, “Some people notice that smoking or pollution are aggravators for them,” tells Zoe.

“Makeup products contribute greatly to congestion seen over the cheeks. Many of the bronzers and blushes we use contain pigments that are comedogenic. Bacteria build-up on dirty makeup brushes, pillowcases and our phones also contribute to pimples around our cheeks,” continues, Zoe. 

Zoe’s Recommendations: Makeup brushes should be washed weekly to prevent acne from flaring or worsening. Try to speak handsfree or with headphones but if you do talk regularly with your phone pressed to your face, ensure you are cleaning it regularly. Incorporating an AHA based cleanser can be helpful here for mild congestion such as the L-Lactic Cleanser or for oilier skin, or the Glycolic Cleanser 12%. 

If you’re still experiencing breakouts, Zoe suggests to try and “Avoid heavy makeups, bronzing powders, spray tans and makeup primers as they will further aggravate a break out prone skin. Instead, choose a mineral make up that gives a lightweight finish without causing further congestion.”

Photography: Lucy Alcorn

CHIN & JAWLINE

Breakouts around our chin and jawline are associated with stress, digestive challenges around elimination and hormonal influences, generally speaking, adult hormonal acne flares through the jawline and for some we breakout along here when we’re pre-menstrual. 

Stress can also flare breakouts through the jawline area. “When your body is stressed, there is a hormone fluctuation that causes an increase in the amount of oil your skin secretes, which can cause acne to form or worsen,” says Zoe. 

Zoe’s Recommendations: To moderate the inflammatory response ignited by stress, try to incorporate stress-reduction techniques that work for you such as walking, reading, yoga, stretching or listening to music. Insufficient water intake, high caffeine, alcohol, sugar and processed foods may flare congestion in this area. Try to incorporate a lower glycaemic index diet and eat plenty of high fibre foods.

“A great spot treatment solution for when you are experiencing stubborn hormonal breakouts is the use of Skintitut’s Glycolic Cleanser 12% and Laser Aid. This is ideal to do at night time before bed (after the skin is cleansed and moisturised), you simply use a cotton tip to dab a small amount of Glycolic Cleanser onto the spot, then follow with a small amount of Laser Aid dabbed over the top. The Glycolic Cleanser 12% will aid in decongesting while the Laser Aid will help to bring down redness and inflammation.”