Z(it) Happens
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How to Treat Body Acne (Back, Chest, and Beyond)
Facial acne tends to get all the attention—but body acne is just as real, just as frustrating, and just as treatable. Whether you're dealing with bacne, breakouts on your chest, or spots along your shoulders or butt, know this: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to settle. Body acne may look different than facial acne, but it's driven by many of the same factors: clogged pores, oil, sweat, friction, and sometimes the wrong products. Here’s everything you need to know to finally get your body breakouts under control.
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What Makes Adult Acne Different?
If you thought breakouts were supposed to end after high school, you’re not alone. But here’s the reality: adult acne is more common than ever—especially for individuals assigned female at birth in their 20s, 30s, and even 40s. And while it may look similar to teenage acne, adult acne is often deeper, slower to heal, and harder to manage with drugstore treatments alone. Let’s break down what makes adult acne different—and how to treat it in a way that’s both effective and supportive.
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How to Tell If You Have Acne: Acne vs. Rosacea
Not all breakouts are acne. If your skin constantly looks flushed, your “pimples” never form heads, or your cheeks are covered in tiny bumps that don’t respond to typical acne treatments, you might be dealing with rosacea—a chronic skin condition that’s often confused with acne vulgaris. Knowing the difference between acne and rosacea is key to getting the right treatment—and avoiding ingredients that could make your skin worse.
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How to Power Through a Purge (Without Giving Up on Your Routine)
You finally commit to a new skincare routine—one that’s designed for your acne-prone skin, filled with clinically backed actives—and then… your breakouts get worse. Sound familiar? This frustrating phenomenon is called a skin purge—and it’s more common (and temporary) than you think. If your skin seems to be “freaking out” after starting a new skincare product like a retinoid or salicylic acid, there’s a good chance it’s not a setback—it’s a process. Let’s walk through what’s happening, how to tell the difference between the purging process vs. breaking out, and how to power through a purge with your skin (and sanity) intact.
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Cryotherapy for Acne: Does It Really Work?
Cold plunges, ice rollers, and cryotherapy facials are popular treatments right now—but can these cold therapy trends actually help with acne? The short answer: yes, in some cases—but cryotherapy isn’t a cure-all. For acne-prone skin, cold treatments can calm inflammation, shrink swollen breakouts, and support healing—when used the right way. Let’s break down what cryotherapy for acne actually is, how it works, and whether it deserves a place in your routine.
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Skin Cycling 101: How to Manage Acne Without Letting It Take Over Your Routine
If you’ve ever layered five active ingredients on your face out of desperation, only to wake up with redness, flakiness, or even more breakouts—you’re not alone. Enter: skin cycling. This simple, dermatologist-approved routine helps you get the benefits of active ingredients—like retinoids, exfoliating acids, and acne treatments—without overwhelming your skin with a multitude of skincare products. It’s not a social media trend. It’s a smarter way to treat acne, support your barrier, and finally get consistent results—especially if your skin is sensitive, acne-prone, or just plain tired. Skin cycling can be adjusted according to your skin type, whether it’s oily, dry, or reactive.
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The Proper Way to Pop a Pimple (If You’re Going to Do It Anyway)
We’ve all been there: You wake up with a glaring whitehead, and despite your best efforts, your fingers are already halfway to your face. The truth is, while dermatologists generally advise against it, most of us have popped a pimple at some point. So let’s be real: If you’re going to do it, here’s how to pop a pimple safely—without turning it into a scar, a scab, or something worse. Disclaimer: Always avoid popping deep, painful, or cystic acne. These require professional care from a dermatologist or esthetician. Improper extraction can worsen inflammation, increase scarring, and introduce bacteria.
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Easy Acne-Friendly Swaps You Can Make in Your Kitchen
Let’s get one thing clear: food doesn’t cause acne. But your diet can absolutely influence it—especially if you’re already prone to breakouts. Research shows that certain ingredients (especially high-glycemic carbs and dairy) may worsen acne by affecting hormones, oil production, and inflammation. The good news? You don’t have to give up all your favorite foods to see clearer skin. Just a few thoughtful swaps, all of which are part of a healthy diet, can make a real difference over time. These acne-friendly food swaps are designed to reduce triggers—not joy.
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Simple Ways to Regulate Your Hormones Naturally (and Support Clearer Skin)
Hormonal fluctuations are one of the most common triggers for acne—especially for individuals assigned female at birth in their 20s, 30s, and beyond. These changes in hormone levels can disrupt the skin’s balance and signal deeper shifts in hormonal health or hormonal imbalance. If your breakouts tend to show up like clockwork around your period or cluster around your chin and jawline, it’s a strong sign that hormones and acne are connected. But not everyone wants to jump straight to oral medications like birth control or spironolactone. And while those options can be effective (more on that here), there are also natural, accessible ways to support hormone balance through small daily changes—no prescription required. Disclaimer: These tips can help regulate hormones naturally, but they aren’t a substitute for medical care. If you suspect an underlying hormonal condition like PCOS, always consult a healthcare provider or board-certified dermatologist.
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Oral Acne Medications: How They Work and When to Consider Them
When breakouts run deep—literally—it’s not always enough to rely on topical products alone. If you're dealing with cystic acne, hormonal breakouts, or persistent inflammation that hasn’t responded to typical topical medications, oral acne medications may be the next step. These prescription treatments work from the inside out, targeting internal triggers like excess hormone levels, overactive sebaceous glands, and bacterial imbalances. But not all pills are the same and choosing the right one depends on your acne type, skin sensitivity, and lifestyle. Let’s break it all down: Important Disclaimer: Oral acne medications are prescription drugs that should always be discussed with a board-certified dermatologist. The information below is educational and not a substitute for medical advice.
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Safe For Acne-Prone Skin: Our Clinical Testing Protocol
How We're Setting a New Standard for Acne-Safe Skincare If you’ve ever scanned a skincare label looking for that magic...
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Post-Acne Marks Explained: Hyperpigmentation, Redness, and Scarring
Your skin tells a story—long after a breakout has healed. A dark spot that lingers, a red patch that won’t fade, or an indent that sticks around longer than expected ... these marks can be just as frustrating as acne itself. But not all post-acne marks are created equal. Whether you’re trying to fade brown marks, red marks, or improve your skin’s texture, knowing your skin type and the type of scar you’re dealing with matters just as much as the products you choose. Here’s a breakdown of the three most common types of post-acne marks—hyperpigmentation, post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), and acne scars—plus guidance on telling the difference and supporting your skin through each one.
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Pore-Clogging Ingredients to Avoid If You Have Acne-Prone Skin
If your skin breaks out even when you’re “doing everything right,” one sneaky culprit might still be flying under your radar: pore-clogging ingredients in your skincare products, makeup products, or even personal care products like shampoo or conditioner. Even products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “for sensitive skin” can contain an acne-causing ingredient that contributes to breakouts and keeps your skin from calming down. That’s why checking labels isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Let’s break down why ingredient awareness matters so much, how to spot pore-cloggers, and what you can do to make smarter, skin-supportive choices.
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Acne-Friendly Food Swaps to Support Clearer Skin
There’s no such thing as a perfect diet—and food alone doesn’t cause or cure acne. But if you feel like your breakouts might be tied to what you eat, you’re not imagining things. Certain foods can contribute to inflammation, hormonal shifts, and excess sebum production, all of which may impact acne-prone skin or worsen acne vulgaris. The good news? A complete dietary overhaul isn’t necessary to make progress. Even small changes to your diet can support hormonal balance and reduce the risk of triggering acne breakouts—without feeling restrictive or overwhelming. Here are simple, acne-friendly kitchen swaps that can help you nourish your skin while still enjoying your meals.
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Laser Treatments for Acne Scars: Different Types of Lasers and When to Start
You’ve made progress managing your breakouts—but what about the marks they left behind? Acne scars—especially the pitted or textured kind—can linger long after active acne clears. While skincare and topical treatments can help with pigment or tone, treating deeper scarring often requires a more targeted approach. That’s where laser acne scar treatment can come in. But here’s the thing: if you feel like every time one breakout heals, another one shows up—you’re not alone. And it might not be the right time to invest in lasers just yet.
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Accutane 101: Who It’s For, What to Expect
For some, breakouts are an occasional inconvenience. For others, they’re a daily struggle—painful, persistent, and resistant to everything they’ve tried. If you’re in the second group, you may have heard about Accutane and wondered if it’s your next step. Let’s break down the basics of Accutane: what it is, who it’s for, and what to expect if you’re considering it as a treatment option.
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Questions to Ask Your Dermatologist If You’re Struggling With Acne
Dealing with persistent acne symptoms can be frustrating—especially when over-the-counter products just aren’t cutting it. If your acne feels like it's not getting better (or getting worse), it's a good time to consult a medical professional. A dermatologist can help you get to the root of your acne, guide you through your treatment options, and tailor a skincare plan that works for your skin type. To make the most of your appointment, it helps to come prepared. Lean on your dermatologist’s expertise: Here are eight questions to ask that can lead to real, lasting progress.
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How and When to Use Tretinoin If You Have Acne-Prone Skin
You’ve seen the before-and-after photos, watched the testimonials, and maybe even added it to your "must-try" list. Tretinoin is one of the most talked-about prescription acne treatment options—and for good reason. But here’s what doesn’t always get discussed: Not all Tretinoin products are acne-safe. And for those with acne-prone skin, choosing the right formulation is just as important as using the right strength. Let’s break down what Tretinoin is, how it works, and how to use it without triggering more breakouts.
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What Is Sulfur—and Why It Belongs in Your Skincare Routine
When you think of acne-fighting skincare, ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide might come to mind. But there’s another tried-and-true option worth paying attention to: sulfur. While this natural ingredient might not sound glamorous—especially with its distinctive smell—sulfur is one of the most underrated tools in skincare. From calming inflammation to unclogging pores, it’s a gentle multitasker with serious skin-clearing potential. Here’s why sulfur belongs in your skincare routine, especially if you have acne-prone skin.
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Face Mapping: What the Location of Your Acne Is Telling You
Do your breakouts always show up in the same place—like your chin, cheeks, or forehead? You’re not imagining it. Persistent acne doesn’t happen randomly. The location of your breakouts could be your skin’s way of signaling that something deeper is going on. Enter: face mapping—aka Chinese face mapping—an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda that links the location of the acne to possible internal causes. In this guide, you’ll learn what each area of your face may be trying to tell you and how to use this insight to support your skin from the inside out.
