Introduction
Living with acne prone skin is a struggle and even those who are lucky enough to have relatively clear skin still live in fear of acne. It is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles under the skin become clogged. Dead skin cells and the oil sebum which keeps the skin hydrated, plug the pores which leads to pimples or lesions. If not treated acne can lead to infections and scarring. To avoid this common yet troublesome condition there are simple dos and don’ts acne skin steps that will help counter acne.
What causes acne?
Along with the natural reasons for acne there are many other factors that can contribute towards acne.
Skincare routine – Believe it or not your skincare routine can irritate your skin. If you are not actually cleansing properly or using products that are not suitable for your skin type then it can cause acne. You may not be paying attention to the actual ingredients in the products you are using, which can sometimes actually be quite harmful and lead to skin conditions.
Food – Unhealthy eating will show on your skin, making it dull with dark spots and breakouts. However sometimes even when you are eating relatively healthy your skin can still suffer, especially if you are not getting enough nutrition. Also you may have intolerances towards certain foods that will cause your skin to suffer.
Medical factors – This is a more difficult cause to counter as you can suffer with acne as a side effect of medication you may be taking. Other strong factors that lead to acne are hormones and continuous stress.
Avoiding acne – DOs
Thankfully there are steps you can take to avoid intense acne and enjoy smooth blemish free skin. If you do suffer with acne remember these days there are acne medications and acne treatment that you can use to treat the problem. For instance benzoyl peroxide which treats mild to moderate acne and topical salicylic acid which help unblock clogged pores and reduce swelling and redness. Seek the advice of board certified dermatologists when using medicinal treatments.
The below steps are everyday habits that you can incorporate to your daily life which will help you to keep your skin healthy and hopefully acne free.
Sticking to a proper skin care and cleansing routine – Establish a routine that genuinely helps your skin with products that are effective yet gentle on your skin. You have to be consistent in your routine so that your skin can enjoy the benefits and start showing results. Simple steps such as washing your face twice a day can have a positive impact on your skin health.
Removing make up properly at the end of the day – However tired you maybe at the end of the day, do not skip this step. Wash your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, grim and oils that can clog pores.
Follow a healthy diet – As said before your diet plays a huge role in your skin health. You may be using the best products on your face, but if you are not nourishing your skin from within it will not achieve that blemish free smoothness or healthy glow. Include loads of proteins, fruits and vegetables into your diet and avoid overly sweet food and drinks. Stay hydrated.
Avoid touching your face with hands too often – Touching your face is bad to for your skin as the germs and dirt on your fingers lead to acne which in turn can lead to scarring. Avoid touching as much as possible and if you really need to ensure that your hands are clean.
Use oil free products – Oil free cosmetics and products are perfect for acne prone skins because they are less likely to clog pores and are usually lighter in consistency to regular products. If you are not already you should make the switch as soon as possible.
Keep surfaces clean – We transfer germs and dirt onto surfaces such as our bedding and phones. These in turn transfer back to us and irritate our skin. To avoid this make sure to change your bedding regularly especially if you have dandruff. Keep your phone clean as well as it can harbour bacteria.
Avoiding acne – DONTs
Avoid popping pimples/breakouts – We are all guilty of this, but it is important that you stop immediately. Use a topical cream to reduce the redness but let the pimple take its course and heal naturally.
Avoid skin care products with harsh chemicals – Always check the ingredients properly, even known brands. Many use harsh chemicals which cause your skin to become dependent on them. Look for vegan and cruelty free products that are effective and very good for your skin.
Avoid over exfoliating skin – This can irritate your skin. Limit it to once or twice a week and even then be sure to be gentle and treat your skin with care.
Don’t use too many skin care products – Too much and you will clog your pores. Look for lighter products and let your skin breath.
Don’t use old or expired make up – Very important because expired make up can be very dangerous. Buy only what you need at a time to avoid waste and the temptation to use expired products because of the cost.
Sun exposure – Be mindful of your skin type and how much sun exposure your skin is getting. Over exposure and you run the risk of developing skin cancer. Use a sun block and wide brimmed hat if you are going to be out in the sun a lot.
Conclusion
Use these simple steps to protect your skin from acne and nurture it into good health. Most of all be patient, there are no quick fixes, but with care and consistency you will soon be enjoying smooth and healthy acne free skin.
