How Your Favourite Celebrities Dealt with Their Acne, and How You Can Too!
We have all struggled with blemishes or acne at some point in our lives, so how are celebrities any different? Some of your favourite actors, musicians, and even models admit to having skin imperfections from time to time. Considering celebrities have the money and resources to see the world’s best dermatologists and splurge on great products, it can seem like us regular folk are fighting an uphill battle. However, there are tons of treatments that can be done at home to help prevent acne that even celebrities use!
What is Acne?
There is a huge misconception about what acne actually is. Acne is a very common skin condition that happens when the hair follicles under your skin become clogged. Oil and dead skin cells collect in these pores, causing pimples. It is most common to appear on the face, but can also occur on the body in areas such as the back, chest, and shoulders. Anywhere that you have pores, you can get acne!
Acne can also be caused by hormonal fluctuations. Due to this, most people experience acne during their teenage years through to their early 20’s. Women can also experience it during their “time of the month.” Hormonal acne can be genetic, so no matter how many times you wash and exfoliate your face, you are just genetically destined to have these spots.
There are a few different types of acne, and it’s possible to have two or more types of acne at once. It can also be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Some subcategories of acne that fall within these two categories are:
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Papules
- Pustules
- Nodules
- Cysts
While some forms of acne are okay to treat at home and be prevented using over-the-counter products, severe forms of acne should be treated by a dermatologist.
What Can Cause Acne
There are four main factors that cause acne: excess oil production, oil and dead skin cells, bacteria, and inflammation. Each pore on your skin is the opening to a follicle. This follicle is made of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland. The oil gland releases sebum (oil), keeping your skin lubricated and soft. However, it is possible that the oil gland produces too much oil, dead skin cells can accumulate in your pores, or that bacteria can build up in the pore as well. These problems cause what we know to be acne.
Myths about what causes acne are quite common. People believe fast food can cause acne because of the food’s oiliness. Believe it or not, this isn’t what causes spots. Factors that can put you at risk of developing acne can include:
- Hormonal changes caused by puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or your period.
- Certain medications, especially birth control pills or corticosteroids.
- A diet high in refined sugars or carbohydrates, such as bread or chips.
- Having a family history of acne.
- Constant stress.
Everyone is at risk to get acne at one point in their life. The type and severity of acne can change depending on multiple factors. To better understand what type of acne you may have, it is best to consult with a doctor before starting any treatment.
Acne Myths
Since this is an issue that has been faced by so many people for so long, there are a lot of myths about what does and doesn’t cause acne. Contrary to what some rumours say, these factors have little to no effect on acne:
- Chocolate and greasy foods. Eating chocolate or greasy foods has little to no effect on acne.
- Acne isn’t caused by dirty skin. In fact, over cleansing your skin or using a rough exfoliant to try to “get deep into your pores” can lead to skin irritation and make the acne worse.
- Makeup doesn’t necessarily worsen acne. There are lots of oil-free makeup products out there that are designed not to clog pores.
Your Favourite Celeb Secrets
Whether it was in the past or something they are dealing with now, your fav celebs have all struggled with blemishes or acne at some point in their lives. From a healthy diet to their favourite facial wash, here is what your favourites have to share about their acne journey and how they get results.
- Natalie Portman swears by a vegan diet.
In an interview she had, Portman revealed that she often battles with blemishes, even in her adult life. She says that switching from a vegetarian diet to a vegan one drastically improved her skin. 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 proven that milk products can aggravate acne.
- Victoria Beckham eats salmon every day.
Beckham has admitted to battling with acne for many, many years. It has been well-documented in the media, even through her Spice Girls era. Her dermatologist recommended that she eat salmon every day. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that is 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 permanently cure acne, with some pretty intense side effects. Having been on the drug for almost two years, Thorne continued to break out. While Accutane is a permanent cure for about 85% of patients who take it, Thorne was unfortunately part of the other 15%. Instead, she now uses a prescription drug called clindamycin phosphate, and refrains from touching or irritating her spots.
- Chloë Grace Moretz found success with Accutane, though.
The actress dealt with 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 prior to starting.
- Rihanna chooses to cut down on alcohol.
There is some evidence indicating that alcohol consumption can worsen acne, possibly by affecting hormones, feeding skin bacteria, or increasing inflammation. Rihanna’s simple strategy to clearing her skin consists of cutting out 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. While she is no longer a paid spokesperson, she still swears by the products that helped cleared her skin when she was 23 years old. Proactiv products’ active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which effectively eliminates acne bacteria.
- Julianne Hough keeps it cool with ice.
While Hough is a current spokesperson for Proactiv, her skin secret is simple. She uses a really cold washcloth or even an ice cube on areas where she can feel a big pimple coming on. It takes the swelling away, preventing her from popping it and risking irritation or scarring.
- Scarlett Johansson ensures her face and makeup brushes are ALWAYS clean.
After a night out or a big red-carpet event, Johansson never forgets to remove her makeup and wash her face with a clarifying facial wash. She also recommends washing your makeup brushes at least once a week. They can hold on to a lot of dirt and bacteria, two things that cause breakouts.
- Emma Stone opts for cortisone shots.
Deep, painful pimples like cysts and nodules can take weeks to go away on their own. However, a cortisone shot from a dermatologist can make them disappear in a matter of days. These injections contain a steroid that fights inflammation, keeping from the breakout from developing.
- Cameron Diaz cut out junk food.
The actress admitted that she used to have severe acne that she would try to treat with harsh prescription solutions. By making the simple change to eliminate 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 troubles began around when 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 is an expensive treatment, costing around $250 per session, but is there anything out of range for the Kardashian-Jenner family?
- Kate Bosworth uses a combination of treatments.
Why use one method, when you could opt for two? With professionals giving her the go-ahead to combine acne treatments, Bosworth uses a prescription gel and supplement in order to fight off stubborn acne. Aczone is a gel that contains dapsone, which kills acne bacteria and reduces inflammation. Additionally, she takes a supplement that contains evening primrose, which reduces inflammation in the skin.
Products That Work
While the rich and famous opt for $250 laser treatments and cortisone injections, sometimes the solution to acne is more cost-effective and simple. A few great products that keep your favourite celebs’ skin looking flawless include tea tree oil, cleansing oils, face masks, and spot treatments.
Before finding products that work for your skin, we recommend seeing a specialist to tell you exactly what you skin needs. Skincare routines require a lot of research and trial-and-error. When you find your perfect combination of products, you’ll know!
Professional Dermatologist Treatments
If you’ve tried over-the-counter or retail acne products for several weeks, and adapted your lifestyle habits and diet to reduce acne and they still haven’t helped, ask your doctor about prescription-strength solutions.
Dermatologists have a few solutions that may be able to work better for your skin, including:
- Retinoids and retinoid-like drugs
- Antibiotics
- Azelaic acid and salicylic acid
- Dapsone
- Combined oral contraceptives
- Anti-androgen agents
- Isotretinoin
- Light therapy
- Chemical peels
- Drainage and extractions
- Steroid injections
Silk’n ReVit Microdermabrasion Device
To help remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new cells, the ReVit Prestige microderm wand is super effective.
With the ReVit, your skin’s irregularities, shallow acne scars and age spots will be less visible. Your skin’s texture and elasticity will be visibly improved, plus, the ReVit Prestige can help soften the look of large pores and fine lines. And the device has three different diamond tip options (sensitive, regular & body treatments) that allow you to customize treatments to different parts of your face and body.
Learn more about the ReVit Prestige microderm device.
To Conclude
While acne can be uncomfortable or even painful, it should never affect your sense of self-confidence. The most idolized people in the world have at one point suffered with or are currently suffering with acne. It is incredibly common, and is nothing to be ashamed of.
Understanding how acne works can help develop an effective skincare routine that promotes healthy skin. With the right knowledge, inspiration from your favourite celebs, and a few products or treatments, acne can be a thing of the past.
