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You mentioned the other day that you had got a spot from being stressed. I get them too. What’s your plan of action when one appears?
Gemma, 39
I’ve been at tight-chest, shallow-breaths levels of stressed recently. There’s a lot going on this month and next. I’m planning my 40th birthday, I’ve handed in my book, Diary of a Beauty Editor — and I’ve spent 28 long hours recording the audiobook version, only to realise mid-sentence that I have forgotten to mention insert particular brand here. Cue: 3am spiralling.
I’ve had two toddlers at home with me for Easter. Don’t worry, though, they go back on Monday.
“Dear parents, a reminder that Monday is teacher training day.” Back to soft play we go…
I’ve been mapping out a new video series with the Sunday Times Style team — more on that soon — but it’s very exciting. And finally I’ve not been able to shake this constant, low-level dread that no one will turn up to my upcoming book launches. Although you have all helped my nerves considerably. In a few weeks India Knight is interviewing me for Times+, Fenty is our headline sponsor — actual Fenty! Actual Rihanna’s brand! And we’re sold out. So, really, I should take a deep breath and try to enjoy this time.
Sorry, this is all a bit moany. We’re all busy. I know that. I’m telling you because the cortisol combined with the chaos has led to the hugest spot of my adult life. It’s volcanic. Artemis II could have spotted it from space.
I don’t blame it for landing on my jawline. Stress can do that to your face. It doesn’t just send your brain into overdrive, it announces itself on your skin too.
The silver lining? According to Hailey and Justin Bieber, spots are officially cool. The couple have just announced a new beauty (or is it fashion?) category, called spotwear, dedicated to making your blemish part of the look rather than something to disguise. Clever. I wish I’d had this when I was younger. The Rhode Beauty Spotwear (£16 for 36, rhodeskin.com) sticker options include mushrooms, daisies, even jelly beans. My eldest, Grace, does love sticking things on my face… But wait. These aren’t just stickers. Behind the “art” are hydrocolloid patches designed to draw out fluid, flatten inflammation and stop you from picking, which for many is half the battle. If your child is feeling self-conscious, these could be a brilliant confidence boost.
Saying all this, you don’t have to go the cartoon route. There are still excellent “invisible” patches from Purifide by Acnecide, CeraVe and La Roche-Posay.
Have you been waiting patiently to find out if my advice is to pop the spot? Facialists and dermatologists, look away now. Have they gone? Good. I don’t have the willpower to leave a fully formed whitehead untouched. But I don’t do the aggressive squeeze either. With clean hands and a tissue I gently stretch the skin around the spot to coax out the gunk. (How’s your brunch?) Be thorough. The real issue is when only some of it comes out, leaving something angrier behind.
Products! The Inkey List 360° Skin Clearing Serum (£16, boots.com) is being hailed as a bit of an all-in-one for tackling excess oil and breakouts. Use it as your AM treatment: cleanse, serum, moisturiser, SPF. Speaking of SPF, have you tried the new fragrance-free CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Sunscreen for Body & Face SPF50+ (£10, boots.com)? It’s excellent if SPF tends to irritate. I don’t usually trust a product that claims to work top to toe, but this one is lightweight, has no white cast and is just as good on my face as it is on my limbs. Finally, the Prada Reveal Concealer (£36, harrods.com) is a new discovery. I recently watched the make-up artist Lynsey Alexander tap a little over the freckles on my hand. What freckles? Camouflaged instantly, but without that heavy, chalky finish.
Remember, spots are a normal part of life. Skin has its moments and so do we.
Have a beauty question you need answering? Message Sarah at asksarah@sundaytimes.co.uk or DM @sarahjossel