Acne is a skin condition characterized by the emergence of excess oil production and clogged, inflamed pores of the face and occasionally other areas such as the shoulders, neck and back. This article can help to trace the causes and decide whether medical treatment is called for in order to eliminate it.
Try to treat your acne early. Many serious cases of acne got that way because treatment did not start until much later. At the first sign of a breakout, you should take steps to stop it before it gets worse. This means gentle cleansing, keeping hydrated, eating well, exercising and sleeping well. When in doubt, see a physician or dermatologist.
A paste of baking soda can be used to treat oily skin and reduce acne. Simply make a paste of baking soda and water, and apply to problem areas to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, dirt, and oil. Be sure to use baking soda, not baking powder, as baking powder can actually burn the sensitive skin on your face.
If you are using an acne product that is high in salicylic acid content, it is important to remember the strong effect that this can have on your skin. Always remember to use only the directed amount, as excessive use can inflame your skin and cause even more breakouts. If you are noticing excess peeling or irritation, reduce your use to every other day, instead of daily or semi-daily.
To combat facial acne, lay a clean towel over your pillow every night before going to sleep. Excessive skin oil is a huge factor in acne infections, and the speed with which your skin oils build up on your pillow is shocking. By treating your face to a completely clean surface for every night’s sleep you can prevent a harmful build-up of excess oil.
Don’t wait to see a dermatologist or other professional skin care provider. If you can seek treatment at the first signs of acne, you may be able to avoid having a mild condition turn in to something more serious later. Early intervention, much like that for medical conditions, can really pay off.
If you have a big event coming up, it is a good idea that you use foundation to cover-up your pimples. While using too much heavy makeup can cause acne to form, a little bit of makeup is not going to cause you to break-out.
If you must shave during an acne breakout, consider using a standard blade and not using an electric razor. Try to shave with the direction of hair growth, not against it. Shaving can irritate acne prone skin and lead to scarring, so be very gentle with your skin while shaving.
A great tip to clearing up acne can be by using the steam room at your gym. The steam room works because it opens up your pores which allows dirt to exit through sweating. Just ten to fifteen minutes of being in the steam room each day can have a significant impact on clearing up acne.
If you can, try using only powder makeup in place of liquid makeup. Liquid makeup is more likely to have oil that can cause your breakouts to worsen. Liquid makeup also can cause your pores to be blocked. You should apply as little powder as possible. Only apply as much as you feel that you need.
If you’re looking to get ride of acne as an adult, try a medication different from the ones targeted towards teenagers. A lot of acne medication developed for teenagers is formulated for lessening the appearance of large pimples overnight, and can be harsh to sensitive skin. Look for formulations made for adults, which usually contain sulfur as the active acne fighting ingredient.
In order to reduce your acne it is important to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. When you do not consume enough water throughout the course of a day your skin becomes dehydrated. Dehydrated skin does not shed dead skin cells as effectively as hydrated skin. This can result in clogged pores and an increase in acne.
Reducing dairy and meat products is one way to prevent acne. These products contain acids and are harder for the body to digest. In turn, the waste is eliminated via the skin which causes acne. Also, because dairy and meat products contain high hormone levels, they increase the body’s hormone level.
Begin and end each day by washing your face with a strong but gentle cleanser to help combat acne. Upon waking, your face is likely covered with a film of oil from sleep and by the end of the day pollution, sweat and grime have taken over. Keep on top of cleaning without going overboard, by obsessive washing or by using a soap that is too harsh.
Many people know that Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the best treatments for acne but it is easily forgotten. It remains one of the easiest and most effective way to treat acne. It reduces the redness and helps the pimples to go away much faster and is already in most people’s medicine cabinets or first aid kits.
Treat acne safely during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your progesterone levels are much higher, often resulting in breakouts. This is typically at its worst during the first three months. Cleanse your skin every morning and night, but avoid cleansers that are formulated for acne. They tend to contain Salicylic Acid, which should not be used during pregnancy. The good news is that your skin will return to normal after giving birth.
As outlined previously, acne is a medical condition with varying degrees of severity. The more severe cases can cause permanent scarring by causing deep pits in the skin. Over the counter and prescription medicines are available. By using the information in this article and putting a skin care plan in action, most cases are easily treatable.