Skin breaks out when it’s out of balance. Everything you eat, stress, hormones, medications, smog, the makeup and skincare you use, even the household products you clean with can throw skin off its game.

Considering that your body absorbs 60% of what you put on it, it’s important to know what you’re applying to your skin and how it triggers breakouts.

These tips can get you back on track:

1. Know your ingredients.Products that are non-comedogenic are key to preventing pore clogging and breakouts. If you’re prone to breakouts, look for a brand like Emani Cosmetics that are labelled as non-comedogenic. In fact, Emani products are composed of soothing non-comedogenic ingredients that balance the skin rather than irritate it, which make them ideal for oily, acneic skin.
2. Acne or not?All skin with acne (a medical condition) experiences breakouts, but not all breakouts are acne-related. You can have breakouts from stress, hormones, diet, medications, skin care products, hair care products, makeup, perfume, laundry detergent—none of which are an indication of acne. Non-acne breakouts are triggered by or managed through lifestyle choices. If you treat breakouts as if they are acne, you can actually make damage your skin and cause premature aging. Only a doctor or esthetician can tell you for sure whether you have acne or are simply experiencing product- or lifestyle-related breakouts.
3. Oil is your friend.Skin naturally produces oil, which is essential to healthy skin. Take it away, and skin can produce even more oil, which can lead to breakouts. We know how backwards that sounds: oily skin needs more oil, not stripping away of the oil it keeps trying to make. Dry skin needs even more oil so it can look fresh and hydrated; there are good oils to look for like jojoba, marula, argan, coconut, olive and avocado oil, among others.
4. Wear a makeup primer!They not only help makeup last longer, but they can provide a protective barrier to the skin. Dimethicone is a popular ingredient in most makeup primers because it offers a smoothing effect, but it can also aggravate acne and sensitive skin. If you want a makeup primer that won’t trigger breakouts, try Emani’s Perfect 10 Primer Serum.

Bonus tip!

6. Wash your brushes. According to Women’s Health magazine, the build-up of cosmetics, bacteria and yeast in makeup brushes can contribute to breakouts. It’s recommended to wash them once a week to ensure they stay clean and fresh. Here’s how pro makeup artists do it:

• Rinse the brushes in warm water and add a drop of very mild hand-soap.
• Massage into a lather, then rinse until water is clear.
• Repeat as needed for brushes that are extra dirty or used for darker pigments (such as eye shadow, brows and blush).
• Gently squeeze out excess water, then lay flat to dry on a towel, preferably overnight.

Use products with clean formulas and you’ll most likely see an improvement in your skin. There may be a transition period as your skin detoxes as its natural balance is restored, but it’s temporary…and worth it!