Though long considered the bane of teenagers, blemishes don’t always disappear when you get older. Adults are not immune to having blemishes. Whatever your age, it’s wise to be careful what you put on your skin since it will be absorbed into your body.
Not Scrubbing, Gently Washing Instead.
Scrubbing your face isn’t going to get rid of blemishes if you're prone to acne. If you rub your skin too roughly, it’s more likely to stir up more blemishes and aggravate ones you already have. It's important to clean your face gently.
By washing your face gently, you’ll avoid irritation that will make acne worse. Don’t even 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 Zaps Acne.
Once 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%, but doesn't irritate your skin so badly. It doesn't make sense to irritate your skin and make acne worse instead of better.
Of major importance is starting with a small amount of medicine. Considering this medication is a drying agent and can cause redness and itchiness, so don’t slather on a bunch right from the beginning. The first time, 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 careful to stay away from the tender skin under your eyes. For one thing, the skin there isn't prone to break-outs anyway. Also, It is thinner and more easier irritated that the rest of the skin on your face.
The Importance of Moisturizer.
Benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin, so it’s important to apply moisturizer. Allow the medicine to soak in and wait for your skin to completely dry, then 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 quite important to apply the moisturizer even when first beginning to use benzoyl peroxide. This is to help your skin keep from drying out too much.
Do The Foods You Eat Matter?
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.
Don't pay attention to scientific theories, however, if you notice that your skin tends to break out more after eating certain foods, stop eating them. 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 deemed 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.
- Wash your face first, then use an ice cube for 60 seconds on any blemishes. The ice cube helps reduce the inflammation and make them less noticeable.
- Squeeaing is a no-no! 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. Oil based make-ups are especially bad for acne prone skin. If you want to wear make-up, use the fragrance-free types that are meant for people with sensitive skin.
Acne Free Skin.
Nobody wants acne, but a good skin care regimen can usually help or totally eradicate the problem.
Clear skin is the clear goal.
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