Model And Skin Activist Kadeeja Sel Khan Shares Her Hacks For Acne-Prone Complexions
Famous for her honest and open, ‘no-filter’ approach to skin issues on social media, KADEEJA SEL KHAN has worked out what works for her sensitive, acne-prone skin – after a decade of dedicated trial and error. From the ingredients that work to her favorite device, she shares her top tips with NEWBY HANDS
First thing each morning…
…I cleanse my face twice to remove any dirt that’s gathered overnight. People think over-cleansing ruins the skin and strips it of its natural oils, but I feel I have to thoroughly clean my skin, so I do it twice – or I’ll cleanse and then use a scrub. I use warm water to wash and then finish with a blast of cold.
I never touch my face with my fingers…
…only with tissue paper, or cotton buds or pads – never with a towel or my hands. If you have clogged skin you have to do things a bit differently, so I use tissue paper to blot it dry, as then I can throw that away. For toner, I use a cotton bud to go into all the sensitive, acne-prone areas, and I use an applicator or tissue to keep my hands well away from my face.
I always check the ingredients
You have to know what’s in a product before using it on your face. Anything with fragrance is a big red flag, especially if you have sensitive skin; it makes my skin break out so badly. Salicylic acid is my number-one ingredient – it’s perfect for acne-prone skin and if you have discoloration or pigmentation. Look for a cleansing product that contains three to five percent salicylic acid and let it work its magic. My number two is a hyaluronic-acid serum, as it gives the skin a nice balance. I get breakouts and discoloration, plus redness and flaky patches, and a combination of salicylic and hyaluronic acids balances them out. They’re the perfect mix.
I’ve had acne since puberty
Since the day I got my first spot, at the age of 11, I’ve never seen my skin clear. It’s been a bumpy ride and I’ve used so many of the wrong products; it was a case of, “OK, I need to learn what I can use on my face.” You have to know about your skin, and what works for you – our bodies are all different, so while I take other people’s tips and product recommendations, I always look at the ingredients list before trying anything.
I don’t drink water straight from the faucet
It’s so important to keep your skin hydrated, and while there’s nothing wrong with water straight from the faucet, I’ve noticed my skin doesn’t react so well to it. I have bottled water, or I drink water from the faucet that has been boiled first. My water-drinking target is three liters a day, as it makes the biggest difference, and I always drink 500ml [17fl oz] first thing – so that I rehydrate as soon as I wake up.
I’ve tried all the ranges for acne-prone skin…
…hoping my skin would get better – and believing all the celebrity-endorsed adverts. I thought every teenage acne product I saw would solve my problems – I was young and spent so much money on them, but they did nothing for me, and they were far too harsh.
I love a silk pillowcase
It’s the best invention if you have sensitive skin. At times, my skin has been so bad I couldn’t even sleep on it, but a silk pillowcase makes it so much more comfortable.
I don’t check my face every day
I’ve had acne for so long, it’s become the norm for me. But if my skin is having a bad breakout, then I know the drill: I eat clean and cut out anything snacky, fizzy or generally unhealthy. I stop all caffeine and drink even more water. I also go for a walk, as fresh air is amazing for your skin. Stress also contributes to how my skin is, so I try to be calm – sometimes, I’ll meditate. Stress is a big factor, but we need to remember that we are all human, and we all cry. What’s on the outside doesn’t really matter; everyone says “just be kind”, but first of all we’ve got to be kinder to ourselves.
I love using my face massager
My Foreo facial-cleansing device does all the work for me – and it’s easy to clean. A lot of devices have caused more breakouts, but Foreo is very gentle. I’ve also tried LED blue-light therapy for breakouts, and red light for scarring – and I’ve seen some positive results. If they’re from a reliable brand, these types of devices and products can really make a difference.