How to Stop Back-to-School Breakouts: Fast and Effective Acne Solutions

Back-to-school blues are too real and stress-induced breakouts can take a toll on your skin faster than you realize. Instead of wasting time in front of the mirror trying to cover it up, let’s stop breakouts before they happen. 

Before acne brings down your confidence, we’re going to teach you how to stop breakouts fast and halt them at the source. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent breakouts for clear skin and a stress-free school year! Keep an eye out for our favorite acne products you’ll need to ace that glow-up both in and out of the classroom.

Why Back-to-School Breakouts Happen

It’s sad to say that summer days have come to an end and with the sudden change in your routine and added stress, it’s easy to see why pimples can pop up. While you might be inclined to blame your instructors for piling on the projects, that’s not all that’s fueling those breakouts.

Hormone fluctuations and testosterone surges can also be to blame for your blemishes. You can restore the balance to your skin by tackling different types of breakouts caused by your stressors. The Breakout Box: 3-in-1 Acne Kit comes equipped with three different types of pimple patches – salicylic acid patches for whiteheads and clearing clogged pores, hydrocolloid patches to shrink pimples while you sleep, and blackhead-busting nose strips for a fresh-faced appearance.

Adjusting Your Skincare for School

Now that school is back in sesh, it’s time to change up your routine to fit the school year. You might not have endless hours to perfect that morning and nighttime skincare routine the way you did during the summer, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your skincare routine. 

Keep the routine short and sweet to keep it a priority while you keep your attention on exams. A great skincare routine can be as simple as face wash, moisturizer, and weekly face masks to target specific skin concerns. 

A great way to target stressed-out, agitated skin without dedicating too much time is to pop on a sheet mask while you multitask. Before you start studying or working on assignments, use The Good Fight Clear Skin Sheet Mask to target acne-prone skin in just 10 minutes. The secret to success is destressing with the tea tree oil and willow bark infused into this mask for a soothing effect that reduces redness while fighting off acne-causing bacteria.  

Fast Solutions for Breakouts During Busy School Days

What if you already have breakouts and need to get rid of them ASAP? This is when we bring out the big guns. 

Breakout Box: Your On-the-Go Acne Kit

The Breakout Box is easily one of the best items to keep stocked in your skincare cabinet at all times. As soon as you discover a pimple has popped up, the hydrocolloid patches can help minimize it by the end of the day. Having these along as your ride or die is perfect when an emergency literally pops up between classes. 

SmartMud Sheet Mask: Detox Without the Mess

If you’re looking to purge that pimple quickly, we recommend a good detox mud mask to draw out dirt and oil that could be built up in your pores after a long school week. The SmartMud Sheet Mask can give you that deep cleanse your skin is craving without the typical mess from traditional mud masks.

You’ll love this no-mess sheet mask for detoxifying and purifying your skin, solving the problem of breakouts right at the source.  

The Good Fight: A Post-Activity Skin Savior

It can be hard to find a skincare solution to heal and prevent acne at the same time, but that’s where The Good Fight Clear Skin Sheet Mask comes in. 

You’ll want to make this sheet mask your go-to when you realize that in just 10 minutes you’ll tame inflammation , reduce stress while you improve calm, and give your skin a much-needed detox.

TikTok Acne Trends to Avoid (And What to Use Instead)

Checking out videos on TikTok is great until you cause harm to your skin. This is a friendly reminder to be cautious about what you see online. Some suggestions are hidden gems and others can be unsafe for the skin. Let’s debunk some current TikTok skin trends!  

TikTok Trend 1: Garlic on Pimples

Rubbing garlic on pimples is a popular TikTok hack but before you snag garlic cloves from the fridge, you should know that this trick has that potential to make things much worse. Raw garlic can cause burns, irritations, and even worse breakouts than what you’re trying to clear up. The Breakout Box is a great alternative to raw garlic - the pimple patches have safe, scientifically proven acne-reduction properties without irritation.

TikTok Trend 2: DIY Lemon Masks

Another troubling trend – DIY lemon masks. People all over the internet are rubbing a lemon on their skin hoping it brightens their complexion but honestly, it’s making things way worse. Experts warn that applying lemons directly to the skin can lead to skin burns and dryness due to the fruit’s high acidity, perpetuating the breakout cycle.

Instead, try SmartMud Sheet Mask to detoxify stressed out skin without depriving it of the necessary natural oils it needs. This mess-free mask also deep cleans your pores to give your skin a refreshed look and feel, clearing it from gunk and restoring a natural radiance.  

Building an Effective Routine to Keep Breakouts at Bay

Naturally, you want clear skin - don’t we all? And certainly, these acne solutions can help you master the art of a glowingly clear complexion. However, these are not one-hit wonders. While they can certainly help you in a pinch, consistency is key when it comes to keeping acne under control during the school year.

It’s important to build healthy habits such as: 

• Stick to a simple, yet effective skincare routine
• Do your skincare routine morning and night
• Avoid touching your face 
• Wash your hands thoroughly
• Stay away from carbonated drinks or very greasy, processed foods 
• Drink water throughout the day 

These tips paired with the right acne-prevention products will have your skin glowing in no time! 

Daily Essentials for Acne Prevention

If you want more clear days ahead, always start your morning skincare routine with a gentle cleanser. Try one of these 16 best face washes for acne!

Take care to pat skin dry rather than rub, and while it’s still damp, lock in hydration with a lightweight moisturizer. One of these 11 best moisturizers for acne-prone skin should do the trick.

If you see any active pimples or blackheads at any time throughout the week, make sure to beat them to the punch by busting out the Breakout Box for effective spot treatment. Those salicylic acid dots can be popped on during the day to minimize the size of zits while you rush around campus. By night, you can use the hydrocolloid patches to shrink pesky pimples while you catch your Z’s.

Weekly Detox for Clear Skin

Each week, carve out some time to detox your skin. The SmartMud Sheet Mask is the perfect partner for this moment of self-care. You’ll be able to clear out impurities before they have time to fester into breakouts.

Even better, use Get Dewy With It to boost your skin’s hydration and keep it balanced. Sit back, relax, Netflix and chill while you mask or get a jump on your homework.

Hydration is Key: Why Dehydrated Skin Can Lead to Breakouts

As we know, oily skin is a breeding ground for acne, but many don’t realize that dehydrated skin can also cause breakouts. How? Dehydrated skin over-produces natural oils (known as sebum) to compensate for the lack of moisture. And guess what happens when it does that? You got it – it makes too much oil which clogs the pores and bolsters breakout city.

 There’s also the matter of dead skin cell buildup caused by dehydrated skin. So those dead skin cells get lodged into your pores, creating blackheads and angry, red acne. Your skin becomes inflamed more easily when it’s parched, making acne even worse. As your dry skin wages on, it leads to pores breaking open, letting nasty acne-causing bacteria get deeper into the skin, erupting in the form of mountains of acne.

 So, dry skin is a major problem that can arise when you’re busy hitting the books. What can you do about it?  

Increase your chances of an A+ complexion with your skincare routine!

Being proactive with your skincare is better than being reactive. The best way to stop breakouts as school starts up is to create a solid skincare routine that addresses the root issues of acne.

 And of course, always be ready for any acne emergency that may arise. Don’t forget that acne is inevitable, and no matter how well we take care of our skin, some blemishes are just bound to happen. We hope this article helps you control what you can in your skincare routine and leave the rest up to natural bodily functions. 

 It might be a good idea to skip the TikTok trends and trust science-backed products that are proven effective to get the results you desire. Get ready to slay in your studies, your sports, and your skincare! 

You’ll find the best acne solutions right here to help you restore balance. By making this part of your playbook, you’ll see fewer pimples and have more confidence in your skin, and yourself! Good luck this school year!