Acne Realities

Since we know that acne is caused by a blocking of the skin's pores due to body oils and dead skin this should tell you that some of the things you may have been told about what causes acne is very wrong and should not be believed. To begin with that means that eating greasy foods like pizza, bacon, french fries or potatoes chips will not affect your acne either way.  Neither will eating chocolate or drinking any kind of carbonated soda pop.  Wearing make-up is also not likely going to affect your skin, especially if the make-up is the type that is oil free.

If your parents had acne as teens you likely will as well. But for most people by the time they begin to ease into the twenties its already beginning to disappear. There are some things that can be done to minimize an acne outbreak. Be sure to wash your face with warm water and a mild soap once in the morning and again at night before bed.  Do not use a facecloth, as it could be too rough on your face and so aggravate the already tender skin.  Use your hands instead.

Anything that you put on your face, including your makeup, sunscreen, or moisturizer should be oil free. Make sure you always remove all of your makeup before going to bed. When you exert yourself in any way and you are sweating because of it, make sure your wash your face. Keep your hair off you face. Your hair has its own oils and you don't want them rubbing onto your face. Make sure you wash your hair regularly to avoid the oils aggravating your skin. If you use any hair care products like sprays or gels to keep your hair in place do your best to keep these off your face. They can block up your pores. If you must wear caps or hats keep an eye to make sure that they don't encourage acne along the hairline.  One of the most important things to remember is not to touch your face excessively. That only takes the dirt and oils from your hands and puts it on your face. Equally important is to refrain from picking, touching, popping or squeezing the pimples, this can cause them to get much worse.

You can find many different acne medications at your local drug store. There are many to choose from and you may find that what works for your best friend may do nothing for you.  There are lotions or creams that can help. The best ones have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in them. They help to dry out the skin and shrink the offending pimples. Make sure you follow the directions carefully. Do not over use the products or you can do more damage to your skin than good. Don't panic, if you don't find something that works arrange to visit your dermatologist and they will likely find you something you can use.

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