This is especially important during the adolescent years when the skins oil production is at its highest.
While washing your face will help reduce acne and promote clear skin, its possible to overdo it.
Use a Mild Cleanser
Choose a mild cleanser without a lot of ingredients and fragrances.
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Be gentle when washing your face and other skin with acne.
Apply thecleanserlightly with your fingertips, using a circular motion.
Gently rinse it off with warm water, using only your fingers.
Then pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
These labels signify that the product contains ingredients that won’t clog your pores.
Exfoliate
Exfoliationcan lead to brighter, clearer skin by clearing away dead cells on the skins surface.
These dead skin cells can lead to dryness and acne breakouts because they can clog pores and hair follicles.
However, exfoliation must be done safely; otherwise, it can cause more harm than good.
Most of these products are designed to fight acne as opposed to prevent it.
Always read the labels carefully before starting a new regimen.
The most common OTC treatments include the following:
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Start with lifestyle changes like regular cleansing, moisturizing, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
However, clear skin needs to be adequately lubricated.
Choose a moisturizer that is oil-free or noncomedogenic to prevent clogged pores.
Apply it after cleansing and any time your skin feels dry.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant.
It’s best to have face-only towels to prevent cross-contamination.
White towels are also helpful so dirt is more visible.
After cleansing and rinsing your face using your fingertips, gently pat your skin dry, rather than rubbing.
Using silk pillowcases may be ideal because they are less abrasive and absorb less moisture than cotton pillowcases.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep can help promote clearer, healthier-looking skin.
Thats because sleep helps us regulate stress and balance hormones.
When you dont get enough sleep, your body produces more stress hormones like cortisol.
Find Ways to De-Stress
Finding effective ways to de-stress can lead to clearer skin.
Stress alone won’t cause acne.
However, we know that stress can lead to a worsening of existing acne symptoms.
This excess oil can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Start incorporating proven stress-busting techniques likemindfulness, meditation, or exercise.
Eat the Right Foods
Do chocolate and greasy foods really cause acne?
Studies have linked eating a low-glycemic diet to improved skin health.
Low-glycemic foods do not spike your bodys blood sugar level and insulin response like high-glycemic foods do.
Examples of low-glycemic foods include:
One possible exception to the low-glycemic rule is cows milk.
Milk does not spike blood sugar but it has been associated with acne symptoms.
If your acne dramatically improves, you may want to make the dietary change permanent.
Drink Plenty of Water
All cells in the body need water.
Exercise also helps reduce stress, which may contribute to acne outbreaks.
“APAA doesn’t cause redness, warmth, and swelling like inflammatory forms of acne.
Rather than producing inflamed pimples, APAA causescomedonessmall, non-inflamed skin bumps.
If you need help with quitting smoking, talk to your healthcare provider about methods that may help.
Just like with moisturizers, look for oil-free and noncomedogenic products that wont clog your skins pores.
Dermatologists usually recommend applying sunscreen in the morning after washing your face and applying your acne medication.
This way, the sunscreen will protect you from the suns rays without blocking your medication.
Age spots are a result of sun damage over time.
Sunburn can lead to flaky skin that could scar if you find yourself picking at it.
Start with lifestyle changes like twice-daily cleansing, healthy eating, gentle moisturizers, and plenty of sleep.
If youre not seeing the results you want, talk with your healthcare provider or dermatologist about your options.
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