Preventing Acne - Top 10 Tips

Clean your skin twice daily with mild soap and water or an antiseptic wash.  The facial cleanser should be mild and non-drying, try Dove,Basis or Neutrogena that also minimize sensitivity and irritation.  Clean your face gently!  If you've got a severe acne breakout it's better to use your hands as any other cleaning cloth may cause the acne sores to break open.

Pharmacies now carry strips under various names that you can use on your forehead, nose or chin, or wherever you notice blackheads to pull out all that unpleasant material from your pores.  Remember, this is oil and not dirt.  They are inexpensive and whilst they aren’t as effective as a professional pore cleaning, they are safe and effective.

Wash your hair daily to help reduce oil that is exposed to your skin.   If you have long hair, keep your hair pulled back at night so it is not exposed to your face.

Change your pillowslip at least every other day.  During the night, the oil from your face and hair is left on your pillow.  The oil deposits can irritate your acne if not changed regularly.  Don't share your pillow.

Use an exfoliating cleanser or facial masque regularly.  These cleaning agents contain fine granules or small amounts of salicylic acid that acts as a mild peeling agent.  They remove just the outer layer of the skin and opens the pores.  Masques also contain sulfur and help draw out excess oil.  There are special pads developed to help draw out the excess oil.  They often contain benzoyl peroxide.

Take a multivitamin.  Your skin is kept healthy with good nutrition.  What you put inside your body can affect your skin.  Acne can sometimes be a signal that something is wrong on the inside and react by producing excess oil and clogging pores.

Include chromium in your diet as well as beta-carotene.  Beta-carotene contains Vitamin A that strengthens the tissue of the skin and can prevent acne.  Therefore, when you were told to eat your carrots because they were good for you, it was true! 

Avoid wearing make up if possible.  If you have to wear make up then be sure it is water based and avoid all oil based make up.  If you are not going out, leave your make-up off to give your pores a chance to heal.

Drink eight full glasses of water a day.  This is an important tip for dieters and applies to those that are plagued by acne.  Water is important as it carries waste material out of your body.  Water is not only good for the diet, but also for the skin.  If you don’t like to drink water, why not try the flavored waters that have just a hint of fruit flavoring but preferably with no sugar added.

Avoid hair products such as pomades, gels, cream rinses, or mousses that contain a lot of oil.  Avoid exposure to oils and harsh chemicals.

Never pick, squeeze, scratch, or rub your pimples.  This can increase the production of sebum and by rupturing the skin you spread the infection underneath your skin resulting in more pimples.

Eat carrots; they are rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin A.  Both are essential in repair tissue of the skin and mucous membranes

Types of Acne

Causes of Acne

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