The National Institutes of Health explains that when bacteria, dead skin cells and oil block and choke hair follicles, it results in a pimple. While there are a variety of acne, including whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules, each typically causes inflammation and redness. The best way to treat acne is to keep your skin clean, apply topical medication and resist popping and picking your pimples. Beginning an acne-treatment routine will also prevent new breakouts from forming.
Step 1
Keep your hand away from your skin. Clean your cell phone often since it easily harbors bacteria. Your acne can worsen and become more inflamed by touching it with your fingers and other items.
Step 2
Wash your skin twice a day. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests washing your skin with a gentle, foaming cleanser. Avoid scrubbing since this can irritate your blemishes and cause more redness and inflammation.
Step 3
Apply benzoyl peroxide to your skin. Spread the topical medication over entire areas you typically breakout rather than spot-treating individual pimples. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that cause acne. It can also dry out pimples and reduce redness.
Step 4
Spot-treat individual pimples, especially emerging acne, with an alpha hydroxy acid, known as an AHA. MayoClinic.com suggests using lactic or glycolic acid. Daniel Kern of Acne.org explains that AHAs stop new pimples in their tracks. They're also successful at reducing inflammation and redness and helping new skin regenerate.
Step 5
Wear loose clothing. The Acne Resource Center reports that tight clothing can worsen acne. Also, wearing backpacks and certain kinds of bra straps can irritate your skin, stimulate your sebaceous glands to release more oil and worsen breakouts.
Step 6
Wash your skin after working out or when you sweat. Perspiration will not cause acne, but sweat and heat can irritate existing breakouts and cause redness to occur.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid using an exfoliating cleanser. Exfoliators are made with an abrasive agent that can irritate your acne and cause inflammation and redness.
- If you pop or pick your pimples, you will worsen the appearance of your blemishes.
Things You'll Need
- Gentle cleanser
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Alpha hydroxy acid
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