Acne breakouts always hit us the hardest at the most inconvenient time! If you have an important meeting coming up, a hot date, or even school photos, you can almost always guarantee that you'll wake up with a fresh acne breakout.
 
The good news is that you don't have to fain illness and stay at home until it clears up- you can take action! You don't need to spend a fortune on an appointment at the beauty salon having a super acne facial, you can achieve the same thing in your own home. I am a beauty therapist and have treated many acne sufferers. I am going to share with you the secret to clearing those breakouts!
 
Start by cleansing the skin. A lightly foaming cleanser is best. The trick to a really effective cleanse is to always cleanse twice. Using the tips of your fingers massage cleanser over the face for several minutes and then rinse. Repeat this process.
 
The next step is to gently exfoliate the skin. Use an exfoliant that is enzyme based or that has a very fine granular texture and gently massage over the face in a circular motion. Take particular care over delicate areas such as under the eyes and over any inflamed areas. The aim here is to gently remove dead skin cells. This will assist in opening up the pores. When you are finished rinse with warm water until removed.
 
This has prepared the skin nicely for a refining mask. I am going to share my recipe with you and I am sure you will have the same level of success that I have had with my clients. You will find the below ingredients in any good health store.
 
Acne Mask:
2 parts Fullers Earth (powder)
1 part Kaolin (powder)
¼ teaspoon of sulphur (powder)
Witchhazel
Orange Flower Water
Bergamot essential oil
Lavender essential oil
Clove essential oil
 
In a small mixing bowl combine your Fullers Earth, Kaolin and Sulpher. Add witch hazel and orange flower water in equal parts to make a paste. You want the consistency to be smooth and thin but not too runny. Add 4 drops of lavender, 4 drops of bergamot and four drops of clove oil and mix well. Smooth onto the face particularly any acne affected areas. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes. Do not leave on for longer than this- even if the mask has not dried as the effect are quite rapid.
  
This mask has an amazing success rate in clearing acne breakouts fast. The mask will draw out the impurities and clear up excess oil. It has antibacterial properties and will even reduce the redness.
 
After 10 minutes remove the mask. This will take warm water and maybe a soft cloth. Be wary of 'ghosting'- the mask may leave a residue, make sure that you have removed all traces.
 
Combine witch hazel and orange flower water in equal parts in a pump atomizer. Add 5-6 drops of lavender oil. Spray over the face. You can use this as a toner daily and it will actually help to prevent future acne breakouts. The witch hazel is a natural astringent which will help to keep oil under control, whilst the lavender provides antibacterial properties.
 
Lastly apply a light moisturizer. An oil free lotion will provide the moisture that your skin needs whilst not adding excess oil. That's my emergency acne fix, you will never panic over a breakout again.