Yo blemishes, you're not the boss of me!
Bummed out over work woes? It pains me to say you can now add adult acne to your litany of professional grievances. The horrors of an honest living knows no bounds, eh.
Tick off the boxes on the following checklist to see if your lumps and bumps can be blamed on your office space!
#1. Are you breaking out at your jawline and temples?
Grab a mirror and map the troubled topography of your mien. The valleys dotting your visage are a clue to the source of your spots.
Take it from Teri Tay, Dermalogica Singapore’s education manager, who says that pimples peppering your forehead and jawline usually form under duress: “Stress-induced digestion imbalances can be reflected on the lower forehead, between the brows and around the lips and chin.”
To ward off work-related whiteheads, Teri suggests seeking out a shrink to (quite literally) clear up concerns with your colleagues, failing which you can consider less prohibitive pursuits: “Inexpensive options include engaging in exercise and other de-stressing activities to even out the body’s imbalances.” Beauty bonus: A bubble butt and tauter thighs are always good to have!
#2. When was the last time you cleaned your cubicle phone?
Tuning in to a client’s “call waiting” dial tone isn’t just exasperating on the soul, it may also be provoking the formation of spots, particularly if you’re pressing the receiver against your cheeks.
Vindicating germaphobes everywhere, Teri says that the film of filth on routinely used equipment can encourage bacteria growth: “The area of the face which is constantly exposed to the ‘dirty’ phone will start to show signs of not only breakouts but also skin irritation and redness.”
The solution? Give your grimy gadgets a good wipe-down regularly, preferably daily if possible.
#3 Are these zit zappers on your laundry list?
Add salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to your beautypedia of buzzwords to “spot” on the ingredients label of your grooming gizmos. These two lab-proven acne alleviators get to action straight away, decongesting pores and nuking angry red monsters virtually overnight.
Product recommendation-wise, zero in on Dermalogica’s Special Clearing Booster, a delightfully silky salve that’s just bursting with the good stuff and then some: There’s said salicylic acid on top of an alchemical blend of botanicals like burdock, chamomile and calendula, all of which promise to pacify the biggest of boils and blisters.
I’m also loving Skinceuticals’ spectacular Blemish + Age Defense, which chucks in citric acid for added brightening benefits; and Origins’ undetectable Spot Remover Anti-Blemish Treatment Gel, which is clear as day and fabulous for layering under facepaint. Stash these skin superheroes in your cubicle drawer for easy rectification of S.O.S situations.
Oh, and beauty brainiacs looking for further reading, commit to memory the five golden rules of fighting adult acne and you’re more than good to go.
Bottom line? Ease up on the all-nighters, tend to your turf to keep it tidy and load up on the latest in blemish busting balms. Oh, and don’t let the daily grind get to you, girls and guys. Sending all of you office folk good skin vibes!
Dermalogica Special Clearing Booster, $106.00 for 30ml, is available at all AsterSpring Centres and Dermalogica-authorised skin treatment centres. For more information, visit www.dermalogica.com.sg and folllow Dermalogica Singapore on Facebook.
Origins Spot Remover Anti-Blemish Treatment Gel, $29, is available at all Origins stores. For more information, visit www.origins.com.sg and follow Origins Singapore on Facebook.
Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense, $178, is available at the National Skin Centre and selected pharmacies. For more information, visit www.skinceuticals.com and follow Skinceuticals Singapore on Facebook.