Though long considered the bane of teenagers, blemishes don’t always disappear when you get older. Getting older doesn't necessarily mean you get rid of blemishes. Whatever your age, it’s wise to be careful what you put on your skin since it will be absorbed into your body.
Easy Does It On The Scrubbing.
If you have blemishes, scrubbing your face isn’t going to get rid of them. It turns out it does the opposite. If you rub your skin too roughly, it’s more likely to stir up more blemishes and aggravate ones you already have. It's so important you clean your face gently.
When you wash your face gently, you’ll avoid irritation that will make acne worse. Don't even bother to use a washcloth. Just splash some water on your face, then lather up your hands with the mild cleansing wash or mild soap.
Once you’ve washed your face, use a clean washcloth to gently pat the water off the skin until it’s dry.
Benzoyl Peroxide To Zap The Zits.
Once you're sure your skin is completely dry, then use an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide. This is the best active ingredient in non-prescription medication you can use to control blemishes. Peroxide has been used to cleanse skin a long time, and benzoyl peroxide is also a mild drying agent.
Use 2.5% benzoyl peroxide as it has been shown to be just as effective as 5% or 10%, and doesn't irritate your skin as much. It’s counter productive to irritate your skin and make acne worse instead of better.
It's quite important to start with a SMALL amount of medication. This medication is a drying agent and can cause redness and itchiness, so don’t slather on a bunch right from the beginning. In the beginning, use just enough medication to very lightly cover your skin the first time, then gradually increase the amount you’re using. After a couple of weeks you should be giving your skin a good coating of medication.
Be especially careful to stay away from the tender skin under your eyes. This skin is thinner and more easier irritated that the rest of the skin on your face, and not likely to break-out anyway.
Moisturizer.
Because benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin, it’s important to apply moisturizer. Once your skin is completely dry, lightly apply moisturizer to your face. Once the moisturizer has time to dry, if you skin still appears dry or flaky, add some more.
Make it a point to apply the moisturizer even when first beginning to use benzoyl peroxide. This is to keep your skin from drying out too much.
Does Your Diet Matter?
The scientific community is on again, off again, as to whether diet has any effect on acne. It is known that too much iodine will aggravate blemishes, don't eat too many iodine rich foods like clams, crabs or other shellfish. Also don’t go overboard with the salt shaker if you’re using iodized salt.
Forget the scientific theories, however, and if you notice that your skin tends to break out more after eating certain foods, quit eating them. There are so many factors since body chemistry and the effects of foods and other substances on our skin is so complex, that scientists don't always know the answer. (How many drugs have been okayed as safe, only to discover at a later date they have bad, or even lethal, side effects?)
Quick And Easy Tips.
When you have a blemish and need help quick, try one of the following:
- If you run out of benzoyl peroxide and have a blemish, try using a little calamine lotion. It helps absorb excess oil, and can kill the blemish.
- After washing your face, use an ice cube for 60 seconds on any blemishes. It helps reduce the inflammation and make them less noticeable.
- It's better not to squeeze! That may seem to make it heal more quickly, but will irritate the surrounding skin and may cause more blemishes.
- Use the right make-up. Especially bad for acne prone skin is any kind of oil based make-up. If you want to wear make-up, make sure to use types meant for people with sensitive or acne prone skin.
The Desire Is For Clear Skin.
Acne is a problem nobody wants, but a good skin care regimen can usually help or totally eradicate it.
Clear skin is the clear goal.
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