Acne is one of the most common problems faced by teenagers and young adults all over the world. In fact, acne is one of the most common cosmetic problems in the US, and people use everything from topical creams to lasers to treat acne. If you are currently combating acne, here are a few things you can do to manage acne at home:
Exercise regularly
Keeping fit by exercising regularly releases endorphins in the body, endorphins help ward off negative stress levels due to acne. Unfortunately regular exercise entails sweating, and some precautions should be taken to ensure that exercise does not elevate acne. Make sure you do not wear skin tight clothing and let your skin ‘breathe’ during exercise.
Lycra and other synthetic clothing have a tendency of absorbing sweat and keeping the body warmer than normal, and such conditions can promote bacterial growth. If you are planning on exercising regularly, make sure you wear cotton clothing. In addition, you should make sure you bathe immediately after a work out and use exfoliates to keep your skin healthy. Finally, it is important that all your sports gear is clean and washed regularly to avoid further acne. For example, a dirty head scarf can aggravate forehead skin and increase acne.
Stay away from cosmetics
It is important to use oil-free hypo-allergic cosmetics at all times. Cosmetics like foundation have a tendency of clogging skin pores and such cosmetics should be avoided. Shimmering facial colors contain mica that can irritate the skin and worsen acne. Other additives in coloring can also cause inflammation of the skin and should be used with care.
As a rule of thumb, you should use cosmetic products that give the skin a ‘matt finish’ and you should avoid cosmetics that give a ‘glossy’ finish to skin. It is equally important to remember that eye creams contain a high level of moisturizers that can clog skin pores and aggravate acne.
Maintain a proper diet
Contrary to popular belief, eating fatty foods and chocolates has nothing to do with acne. But a proper diet can ensure that your skin is healthy and acne is better managed. Eating vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements can help keep your skin healthy and free from acne. Remember, eating oily foods cannot aggravate your acne but eating healthy and protein rich food can improve your skin tone and help combat acne.
Maintain proper hygiene
Keep your skin as clean and oil free as possible. People with oily skin should make sure they wash their face as frequently as possible. There are various matt finish products available that keep the skin clean and oil free. Don’t use products like scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin; instead, use exfoliates that are gentle. Alcohol based products should be avoided as they are not clinically mild and can remove the top layer of the skin promoting oil production. If you are not confident about the products you are using, consult a dermatologist.
Shaving actually helps
Contrary to popular belief, shaving is a great way to exfoliate skin and is a fantastic way to keep acne at bay. It is important to know which areas of the skin can be shaved, and sensitive areas should not be touched. Shaving can help in cases of mild acne and can reduce whiteheads and blackheads. With so many shaving products available, people with oily or sensitive skin can easily buy products that suit their skin. Keep in mind, that areas with inflammation or high inflammatory activity (redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.) should not be shaved under any circumstance. Although shaving is considered a male bastion, women can also consider shaving areas other than the face to keep acne at bay.
For more information on acne treatment and control visit www.acnetreatmentcontrol.com