Taking Control of Acne
Synopsis 1: Is acne a run-away train, or may the signs of this skin condition - red bumps, whiteheads and blackheads - be controlled? Read on to learn a few easy ways to take control of acne, before it takes control of your skin!
Synopsis 2: At any age, acne can be a frustrating, tedious skin condition to treat, but don't despair! Modern skincare has produced a whole crop of safe, effective and useful treatments for acne, designed to help clear up the skin before the blemishes appear.
At the first sign of a pimple, is you first instinct is to grab the nearest spot treatment or use makeup to conceal the offending blemish? Why not take steps to prevent breakouts before they even occur? By exercising a little prevention, we can encourage a greater probability of healthy, clear skin. Read on for effective tips on how to beat the acne breakouts!
Clean and clear
Immaculate personal hygiene can go a long way towards guaranteeing clear skin. If you must touch your face, always wash your hands first and make sure that any items that touch your face, including towels, pillowcases, telephones, and cosmetic brushes are also clean. Bacteria lurking on these items can worsen an existing case of acne or promote new breakouts, so wash your pillowcase frequently and remember to use clean face towels. Apply the same philosophy to your cosmetic brushes. By cleaning them once a week with baby shampoo, you'll ensure that you're not spreading germs when applying makeup.
Break a Sweat
If you have a regular gym routine, you're already one step ahead. Not only does regular exercise fight acne by increasing blood circulation and oxygen penetration to the cells, it also decreases stress. But keeping in shape requires some safeguards for your skin. When heading to the gym, keep hair away from your face and wear minimal makeup, as even oil-free cosmetics can potentially clog pores. You can also prevent breakouts by remaining aware of your sports equipment. Biking on a sunny day? Make sure your helmet isn't rubbing against your forehead. Hitting up the treadmill? Wipe the machine down before use to reduce the risk of running into someone else's germs. After working out, try to shower as soon as possible or at least wipe your face with medicated pads. Sweat can easily trap dirt and oil in your pores, causing exactly what you hope to avoid: more acne!
You are what you eat
Banishing fat and processed sugars may also mean banishing the likelihood of acne. A healthy diet supports the development of healthy skin, so make sure your menus include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient rich foods. And while eating chocolate won't give you acne, plenty of research points the finger of blame at unhealthy eating, observes Karen Jessett in Acne Advice. For example, the intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates initiates an acne-domino effect: insulin production increases, male hormones are produced, and your skin excretes sebum, which can lead to those unwanted pimples. Also, stocking up on fiber-rich foods will regulate the body and ensure a properly functioning digestive system, absolutely vital for blemish-free skin.
The right stuff
For most of us, the point of using skincare is to make the skin look and feel better, yet what if slathering on foundation and powder to hide blemishes or acne scars only makes the problem worse? What if your makeup is doing more harm than good? Shiny facial powders may contain mica, an iridescent mineral that can aggravate blemished skin, and full-coverage foundation normally has an oil base, so skip the heavy foundations and try instead a tinted moisturizer. Also, hair products with oils and alcohol could potentially cause problems, while for some people; certain scents can trigger skin reactions. Switching to oil and scent-free cosmetics will work wonders for the improvement of your skin. Also, clean house. How long have you had that powder or foundation? If longer than a year, it might be wise to invest time in spring cleaning and toss out your old, potentially contaminated makeup.
Plenty of effective treatments exist for ridding the skin of blemishes, but why not get one step ahead of the game and instead try a more useful method: prevention. With some effort and initiative, you can set your acne-prone skin on the path to clean, clear, and healthy.
