Acne is an ongoing battle. As soon as you seem to have tamed a large breakout, another patch of pimples crops up. Then there are all the pink scars from freshly healed blemishes, the inability to cover pimples with makeup without causing it to look caked on and that devilishly large pimple that shows up the night before senior prom. Unfortunately, the cause of acne isn't so simple that avoiding one food or activity will necessarily clear up your skin. However, following some basic skin care tips will help keep it under control.
Cleanse, Don't Scrub
If your skin is oily and tough to manage, you may be tempted to scrub your face throughout the day in order to keep the problem at bay. However, according to The Nemours Foundation, overwashing and scrubbing your face may cause your skin to become more irritated. Instead of using harsh astringents and facial scrubs, use a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil or a mild soap specialized for treating acne. Don't wash your face more than a couple of times per day, wash using circular motions and blot your skin dry with a towel.
Don't Touch
You may also be tempted to poke and pop your pimples. Don't do it. Popping pimples can push infected material into the skin, causing temporary blemishes to look aggravated and potentially causing them to become permanent scars, says The Nemours Foundation. Also try not to touch your face with your fingers or on objects that may collect sebum (e.g. your cell phone) as bacteria can spread and cause more breakouts. Wash your hands before you apply anything to your face and wipe down objects that unavoidably touch your face on a regular basis, such as your glasses.
Avoid Irritants
When purchasing cosmetics, hair products and sunscreens, invest in products that are labeled "nonacnegenic," "noncomedogenic," and "water based" to prevent your pores from becoming clogged, says the Mayo Clinic. Also read product labels to be sure that no unnecessary dyes and perfumes are in them and toss any products that appear or smell different from the way they did when you purchased them. Moreover, stay away from tight apparel that can irritate your skin or prevent it from breathing, such as scarves, caps and headbands.
Shirk the Sun
Getting a tan may make acne seem less noticeable, but it is a temporary fix that actually does more damage in the long term. First, tanning can cause the skin to produce more sebum and cause breakouts. Also, too much sun exposure can lead to other skin damage such as wrinkles and potentially fatal skin cancer. Some acne medications and scrubs can cause the skin to be particularly sensitive to the sun's rays, according to the Mayo Clinic. Know whether your skin care products increase your risk so that you can take the proper precautions.
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