5 Acne Treatment Tips You Can Use Today
Dealing with acne can be embarassing at any age. Luckily, there are a number of things you
can do everyday to make sure your skin is less prone to flare ups. Here are five tips for
taking control of your acne starting today.
Exercise
Keeping in shape can help
fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and
depression. However, some safeguards need to be in place to ward off acne that can result from
your workout routines. Watch what you put on your body with regards to clothing, sports gear
and equipment.
For example, tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits might look great in
the movies and on magazine models, but if you are susceptible to acne problems, avoid these
synthetic fabrics that tend to trap in body moisture and heat resulting in a bacteria frenzy.
Instead, choose loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends to allow more air to get to
your skin.
And when you are finished with your workout, get out of clothing wet from
perspiration or water sports. Shower and change into dry, clean clothing. And keep your sports
gear and equipment clean, too. Dirty headgear, for instance, can irritate forehead areas prone
to acne problems. So toss headbands into the washing machine after workout sessions.
Cosmetics
To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that are similar to acne and that can
contribute to acne, use products labeled noncomedogenic or oil-free. Shimmering facial colors
can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Other
additives in coloring that can cause similar reactions are coal tar derivatives, carmine and
heavy cream in blushes.
More preventative measures include using a lip gloss that
promotes a matte finish instead of a high gloss for less pore-clogging; note the more the
shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog. Beware that eye
creams can contain heavier concentrations of moisturizers than regular creams and lotions,
meaning they have greater potential to clog pores in the surrounding facial areas.
Diet
Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of
acne. However, what is recommended for acne preventative care is this: what is best for your
body is best for your skin, especially since your skin is the largest organ of your body. So
remember to watch your diet and consume healthy vitamins, minerals and other supplements. This
will help to prevent and help conquer acne breakout.
Hygiene
A healthy skin regimen
should include no harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin
irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what has washed off, clogging pores
in the process. Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy
nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products when possible; these
can take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging
pores in the process.
If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them.
Remember that these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can
force the infected area to regress back inside, further troubling the region and possibly
leave a scar. If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative treatments.
Shaving
Shaving for both genders is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing
dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to
clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads
and blackheads from the face. A word of caution: for areas with infection or high inflammatory
activity (redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at the very least, use
a shaving cream for sensitive skin!
