5 things you’re doing wrong when it comes to acne

There’s nothing worse than waking up on the day of a big event with an ever bigger pimple. Let alone having constant clusters of breakouts that you just can’t seem to get rid of no matter what you try. And while  staying inside is one strategy, it may be that you’re just overlooking some everyday mistakes that could be easily solved…RELATED: Should you put milk on your skin like Cleopatra did?RELATED: FYI, sub-zero skin care is now a thing

1: Don’t douse it in toothpaste

Remember when we all scoffed at Toula’s dad for suggesting she put Windex on her pimple on her Big Fat Greek Wedding day? Well, you wouldn’t be so cocky if you knew your trusty toothpaste was barely any better. Yep, reaching for your toothpaste tube when a pimple pops up will only cause dryness and irritation (causing your skin to over compensate with more oil and therefore triggering more acne). Vicious. Cycle.

                                                              .

2: Don’t forget to wash your pillowcase

Turns out, you should be changing your pillowcase like you should your underwear (AKA often). “Changing pillow cases frequently, at least once a week, to avoid a breeding ground of bacteria is a good idea, and you can even add a few drops of tea tree oil to the wash to help kill off the bacteria,” says Victor Tuballa, Naturopath and Education Manager for Thursday Plantation. Switch it out weekly to cement your slashie status as a domestic goddess and clear skinfluencer.

3: Don’t disregard your diet

Look, we’re partial to a chip and choccy craving too (and we’re not going to pretend last night didn’t involve a chick-flick-and-family-block combo), but whilst your tastebuds love treat time, your skin does not. “Diets that are highly processed, packaged, that contain sugar and dairy may exacerbate or lead to acne”, Victor explains. Yep, sadly, sometimes you have to sacrifice your snacks for your skin. Cue crying face emoji.

4: Don’t suffocate it with cover-up

It would be amazing if we could click our fingers and have our pimples disappear, but packing on the coverage isn’t the best call. “Unfortunately concealers and foundations, often used to hide blemishes, can worsen the inflammation and clog the pores more,” says Victor. But that doesn’t mean you should let your skin intruder off scot free. Instead, opt for a product that treats the blemish, rather than just breeding more bacteria (gross).The Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Medicated Gel for Acne is formulated with 100 per cent pure Australian grown tea tree oil (it’s actually the active ingredient at 20 per cent), so it does not mess around. It relieves symptoms of acne & skin inflammation, while also working to help you manage future breakouts. If your face is the party, and blemishes are the gate crashers, this gel is the bouncer. See you later spots.

5: And please, we beg of you, don’t pop it

We get it–Dr. Pimple Popper videos are super satisfying and your blemishes are basically begging to be burst, but in the name of good skin, keep those fingers away. If you’re still keen to cut down the length of time you have to face the world with a complexion crater, Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Medicated Gel for Acne is the clear solution – literally. It’s completely invisible, so you no longer have to treat breakouts from the privacy of your own room under the cover of nightfall; you could get away with having this stuff on your face at work, the shops, the Oscars, etc. Give it a go–the results will reward you.Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Medicated Gel for Acne: Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare professional.Main image credit: @taylorhill

What’s the best acne tip you have ever received? Have you tried tea tree oil on blemishes before?