Blemishes are not only a problem for teenagers, they can hang around into adulthood. 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.
Be Gentle To Your Face.
It's bad to scrub your face if you're prone to blemishes. In fact, if you rub your skin too roughly, it’s more likely to stir up more blemishes and aggravate ones you already have. That makes it important to gently clean your face.
Washing your face gently will help avoid irritation that will make acne worse. Don’t even use a washcloth. Just get your face wet, 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 Best Blemish Fighter.
Once you're sure your skin is completely dry, then use an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide. This active ingredient is the best non-prescription medication you can use to control blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide is a mild drying agent, and peroxide has long been used to cleanse skin.
Use 2.5% benzoyl peroxide as it has been shown to be just as effective as 5% or 10%, but much less irritating. It's not very helpful to irritate your skin and make acne worse instead of better.
It’s also important to start with a SMALL amount of medication. Since this medication is a drying agent and can cause redness and itchiness, so don’t slather on a bunch right from the beginning. Start with just enough medication to very lightly cover your skin the first time, then gradually increase the amount you’re using. By the time a couple of weeks have passed, you should be giving your skin a good coating of medication.
Make certain you stay away from the tender skin under your eyes. It's not prone to break-outs anyway, and the skin there is thinner and more easier irritated that the rest of the skin on your face.
The Importance of Moisturizer.
Considering benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin, it’s important to apply moisturizer. Once your skin is completely dry, lightly apply moisturizer to your face. Wait a while and after it dries, if you skin still appears dry or flaky, add some more.
It's important to apply the moisturizer even when first beginning to use benzoyl peroxide. This will keep your skin from drying out too much.
What About Your Diet?
The scientific community can't make up its collective mind 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.
If you notice that your skin tends to break out more after eating certain foods, however, ditch the scientific theory of the moment, and avoid those foods. Scientists don't always have the definitive answer since body chemistry and the effects of foods and other substances on our skin is so complex. (How many drugs have been okayed as safe, only to discover later they have bad side effects?)
Some More Quick 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. This absorbs the excess oil, getting rid of 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.
- No, don't squeeze! Though it might actually help the original blemish to heal more quickly, it will irritate the surrounding skin and may cause more blemishes.
- Look out for oil based 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.
Clear Skin For Everyone.
Acne is an unwanted problem but a good skin care regimen can usually help or totally eradicate the problem.
Clear skin is the clear goal.
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