How to Manage Your Acne at Home: Advice & Tips

From the team at Clear Skin Studio, Forestville

Acne can knock your confidence, and it's one of the most common concerns we see in clinic. The good news is that it can be managed. These are the same tips we go through with every client in their free skin consult. Use them as a starting point, then book in so we can build a plan for your skin.

Diet: reduce sugar and dairy

What you eat can show up on your skin. We recommend cutting back on sugar and dairy, as both can be inflammatory and may contribute to inflammation and congestion in the skin.

Sugar and high-GI foods: Sugary drinks, lollies, baked goods and refined carbohydrates (white bread, pastries, chips) cause quick spikes in blood sugar and insulin. Higher insulin can increase oil (sebum) production and drive inflammation, which makes pores more likely to clog and breakouts more likely to flare.

Dairy: Milk and other dairy products contain natural hormones and growth factors that can stimulate oil glands and add to inflammation. Many clients notice more congestion, particularly around the chin and jawline, when dairy is a regular part of their diet.

Where to start:

Swap soft drinks and juices for water or herbal tea
Try plant-based milks such as oat, almond or coconut (check labels for added sugar)
Choose wholegrain and low-GI carbohydrates over refined ones
Fill up on vegetables, fruit, lean protein and healthy fats
Keep a simple food and skin diary for 4 to 6 weeks to spot your own triggers

Everyone's skin responds differently, and research on diet and acne is still developing. If you're making big changes to your diet, speak to your GP or a dietitian.

Everyday habits that make a difference

Change your pillowcase regularly. Oil, sweat, bacteria and product build up on pillowcases and transfer back to your skin overnight. We suggest changing yours at least once a week.

Cleanse after workouts and sport. Always wash and cleanse your skin after exercise so sweat, oil and bacteria don't sit on the skin and clog pores. If you can't get home straight away, use cleansing pads in the meantime. They're also great for travelling. [Shop cleansing pads: link]

Don't pick or squeeze. It pushes bacteria deeper, prolongs healing and increases the risk of scarring and pigmentation.

Makeup: what to use and what to avoid

Choose high-quality mineral makeup. For women who wear makeup, we recommend high-quality mineral makeup such as Youngblood, which we stock in clinic. [Shop Youngblood: link]

Use a high-quality makeup remover. Cheap removers can leave residue behind or irritate the skin. We stock professional removers in clinic that clean thoroughly without stripping the skin. [Shop makeup removers: link]

Always double cleanse. Remove makeup first, then cleanse again with your cleanser so the skin is properly clean before bed.

Don't cover pimples with concealer. It's tempting, but concealer can clog pores and create more breakouts. Let the pimple breathe and treat it instead.

Keep your tools clean.

Never use a beauty blender more than once. Damp sponges can quickly become covered in mould and bacteria
Use clean hands to apply makeup, or wash your brushes weekly

Treating breakouts

For occasional breakouts, a 5% benzoyl peroxide product can help. For severe or persistent acne, see your GP. Prescription options such as Acnatac may be needed, and your doctor can advise whether it's right for you.

Always let us know about any acne medication you're using so we can plan your treatments safely.

Sunscreen: choose carefully

Some sunscreens can cause breakouts, but skipping SPF isn't the answer, as sun exposure can darken post-acne marks. Always choose an oil-free SPF designed for the face only. We stock suitable options in clinic [Shop SPF: link], and the Cancer Council Matte SPF is also a good choice.

When to see your doctor

See your GP or dermatologist if your acne is painful, cystic or deep, is leaving scars, or isn't improving despite good skincare.

Our Acne Homecare Pack: Clear Skin Solutions

$119.95

Professional treatments work best when they're backed up by the right products at home. Our Clear Skin Solutions pack gives you a simple, three-step routine designed to help manage breakouts, congestion and oil.

What's included

CLEAR CELL Salicylic Gel Cleanser (50ml)
CLEAR CELL Restoring Serum, Oil Free (14g)
CLEAR CELL Clarifying Repair Creme (28g)
FREE Travel Bag

[Shop Clear Skin Solutions: link to /our-shop]

Not sure if it's right for your skin? Book a free consult and we'll recommend the best products for you.

Our In-Clinic Acne Program

Healthy skin isn't achieved in one appointment. Our Acne Program combines professional treatments with the home care advice above, so you're working on your skin both in clinic and at home.

Acne Program

6 Treatments | 12 Weeks | $749

Designed to help reduce breakouts, congestion and inflammation for clearer, healthier skin.

Includes

6 × Acne Lift & LED Treatments

Best for

Active acne
Congestion
Oily skin
Inflammatory acne

What to expect
Many clients see clearer skin, fewer breakouts and improved skin confidence.

For best results, we recommend pairing your program with our Clear Skin Solutions homecare pack.

[Explore All Skin Programs: link to /skin-programs]

Start with a free skin consult

We'll assess your skin, talk through your history and goals, and recommend the right combination of treatments and home care. No pressure and no guesswork.

[Book a Free Skin Consult: link to your booking page]

Squarespace SEO settings

Page title: Acne Tips & Advice | Clear Skin Studio Forestville
Meta description: Practical at-home tips for managing acne, plus our homecare pack and in-clinic programs. Book a free skin consult in Forestville.
URL slug: /acne-tips

Two things to check before publishing: I added "at least once a week" for pillowcases, which is my suggestion, so change it if you recommend something different. And add a line about what the Acne Lift involves if you'd like clients to understand the treatment.