We all get pimples. However, outside of that one unifier, how to tackle acne effectively is going to be different from person to person. Some individuals’ skin is usually determined by genetic factors, while others will experience acne under bouts of physical and emotional stress.
Fortunately, there are a few steps to incorporate into your skincare routine to help make a difference. Read on!
1. Lightly exfoliate regularly
Exfoliation is scrubbing away dead cells that clog your pores and cause acne.
It would be best to be careful about buying an exfoliant product since making the wrong choice could damage or irritate your skin.
Look for chemical exfoliants instead of using physical exfoliants – rough facial cleansing cloths or gritty scrubs. The friction involved with a physical exfoliant may damage your already-inflamed skin, resulting in increased breakouts and redness.
A chemical exfoliant, on the other hand, un-glues dead skin. Most chemical exfoliants can dry the skin, so use an oil-free moisturizer to prevent irritation and peeling.
2. Cleanse your skin
To cleanse your face correctly, you will need to wet it with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply a small amount of gentle cleanser. Massage your cleanser into the skin and be sure that the acne-fighting ingredients have enough time to work.
Now, rinse thoroughly and dry your face with a clean washcloth or towel. Lastly, gently massage a light layer of moisturizer into your skin.
Remember that over-washing can irritate your skin, causing more inflammation that can exacerbate acne. So for best results, cleanse your skin in the morning, after sweating, and before going to bed.
3. Drink plenty of water
Drinking water has both indirect and direct benefits for treating acne.
With bacterial acne breakouts, water helps remove bacteria and toxins on the skin, minimizing the potential for pore-clogging.
Keeping your skin moisturized also allows it to maintain healthy skin cell rejuvenation as well as collagen production. That helps reduce inflammation from acne scarring and acne pimples on the skin.
Drinking plenty of water also helps minimize blood sugar, which can help detoxify your skin.
4. Exercise regularly
Working out does many things to help treat acne pimples. It releases endorphins to lower stress levels, reducing oil production and making you sweat to remove dead cells.
Ensure that you shower straight after working out, preferably before the sweat dries.
5. Eat healthily
Foods like kidney beans, avocados, blueberries, and almonds may help prevent and reduce inflammation but what about Papaya, is it good for Acne Prone Skin?. That may make the skin less likely to develop inflamed, painful spots.
Avoid highly-processed foods and foods high in sugar to help limit excessive oil production.
6. Resist picking, popping, and touching your acne
As satisfying as it may be to squeeze at pesky blackheads or pop your zits, it introduces more bacteria to the skin, making your acne worse.
Instead of popping and touching pimples, consider using an acne spot treatment to help heal the blemish without leaving a scar.
If you must pop or squeeze a pimple, then do it the right way. Clean your hands thoroughly and apply an antibiotic ointment post-squeezing. A comedone extractor or cotton-tipped applicators may also be helpful.
7. Apply a top-quality sunscreen
Sun exposure is important as this is how you absorb vitamin D. Just 10 minutes of exposure to the sun per day could help treat acne symptoms by drying out the sebum.
If you will be exposed to the sun for an extended period, then wear sunscreen to all exposed parts of your body. Doing this will help you avoid affecting the severity or frequency of your acne pimples.
Use a non-comedogenic 30 SPF or above, oil-free sunscreen that will not irritate your skin or clog your pores.
Consider applying an even layer of quality sunscreen for approximately 10 to 20 minutes before heading out in the sun. That will allow the sunscreen to become active and settle into the skin.
8. Use a moisturizer
Keeping your skin moisturized is crucial for treating or preventing acne breakouts. Use a lightweight moisturizer that nourishes and hydrates the skin without clogging the pores.
For dry skin, use a cream moisturizer as it absorbs quickly into your skin to soften and hydrate it. If you have oily skin, use a moisturizer that locks in the skin’s natural moisture without being heavy or greasy.
How to Make Acne-Prone Skin Look Flawless (Step by Step Guide)
Glowing, clear, clean skin does not have to be a fantasy. All you need is to make a few simple adjustments to your skincare routine.
Here are tips that can help you get started:
- Exfoliating
- Cleansing your skin properly
- Drinking lots of water
- Exercising
- Eating healthy
- Resisting picking, popping, and touching the pimples
- Applying a top-quality sunscreen
- Using a moisturizer