Combat Acne with a Proactive Approach
Synopsis 1: Acne is a chronic, frustrating skin concern that affects millions of people worldwide - not just teenagers. Read on to learn a few proactive ways of dealing with this skin condition.
Synopsis 2: Don't let acne lesions or bumps drive you to distraction. Instead, take control of your acne with simple, smart skincare choices that will leave your skin clear and blemish-free.
Category: Skin Conditions
Although many people associate acne with adolescence and teenagers, an estimated 90 million people suffer from acne and it's not just a problem that plagues young people. In fact, acne can affect anyone from ages 10 to 40, and it's not unusual for women to develop occasional breakouts in their 20's or 30's, even if they've never before suffered from acne. Blemishes can appear in many forms: pimples, cysts (deep pimples), pustules, whiteheads or blackheads, and the exact cause of this skin disorder can't be attributed to any one factor.
Acne usually occurs when oil and dead skin cells become trapped in the pore, mixing with bacteria, resulting in swelling, redness and blemishes. Because acne is such as a prevalent condition, there are luckily many acne treatments available on the market today, and a proactive acne regimen involving over-the-counter topical treatments can help fight breakouts and keep your skin clear and beautiful.
Purposefully Proactive
Acne sufferers often utilize treatment therapies consisting of topical creams and washes, and most over-the-counter acne treatments rely on chemicals to unclog pores, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or glycolic acid. If you suffer from light acne or the occasional breakout, these over-the-counter topical gels, lotions, creams, soaps or pads can be quite effective at preventing and controlling acne breakouts, and in just a few weeks, you'll notice clearer, smoother skin. Keep acne breakouts at bay by following these steps:
- Cleanse Properly: Clean skin is an important part of an effective acne regimen, so be sure to thoroughly wash your face twice a day - once in the morning and once at night. Pat dry, being careful not to rub or dry the skin harshly.
- Simplify: While you may think layering on dozens of different treatments will lead to clearer skin, when it comes to a proactive acne plan, less may be more. Many acne cleansers already contain medications such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, so doubling up treatments may not be necessary. Instead, simplify by starting with an acne cleanser containing glycolic acid and follow up with a topical acne cream, such as one containing minimal amounts of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid - 2%or less.
- Moisture: Acne treatments can often cause your skin to become dry and flaky. Even if you are very oily, always apply an oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin in balance and feeling comfortable. Even better - go for a moisturizer that also offers SPF 15 or higher.
- Skip the makeup mask: Very heavy or oil-based makeup can contribute to a bad case of acne. If you're prone to acne, switch to oil-free foundation or try a tinted moisturizer instead of a heavy foundation.
- Be label savvy: Cosmetic products containing lanolin, mineral or nut oils or shea butter may be too rich for acne-prone skin so avoid these products for the time being and instead, try products with witch hazel, chamomile and tea tree to help alleviate the blemishes while soothing the skin.
- Extra care: Perhaps surprisingly, people with dry skin can also suffer from acne. For these folks, opt for the mildest acne treatments, with the lowest percent of active ingredients. Also, consider using acne products every other day, as well and increase the concentrations as necessary.
- Stop the signs: Did you know that acne has a tendency to travel across the face? Many people often make the mistake of treating only pimples and not outlying areas of skin, so be sure to apply medication half an inch from the affected area to keep breakouts from spreading. Also, resist the need to squeeze pimples or whiteheads. Acne is a form of inflammation, and squeezing can result in more pimples or even an infection.
- The Dr. is In: Finally, if over-the-counter treatments haven't worked, you may want to consider a visit to your dermatologist to discuss prescription acne treatments. Acne therapies such as Retin-A and Accutane account for almost the entire U.S. prescription acne market, and for sufferers of cystic acne, they may offer the best relief. If you have a persistent acne problem that just won't go away, be sure to consult a dermatologist to discuss what treatment options are available to you.
While acne is a problem for many, the treatments are equally as plentiful. Instead of reacting to your acne concerns, proactively take control of this skin situation with a few purposeful beauty habits and enjoy a healthy, blemish-free complexion.
