Acne isn’t just for adolescents; plenty of adults deal with regular acne outbreaks, too. If you’re looking for ways to get rid of those pesky pimples, here are some tips to try.
Stop touching your face. This is a simple tip, but an important one. It’s easy to transfer grease, bacteria, and dirt to your face throughout the day by touching your skin. Wash your hands thoroughly on a regular basis and resist the urge to touch your skin in order to keep away substances that can trigger an acne outbreak.
Wash your face morning and night. Cleanse the skin thoroughly but gently twice a day with a cleanser formulated for acne or another oil-free formula. Resist the urge to scrub vigorously, especially if you have oozing or crusting blemishes. And it should go without saying, but never go to sleep with make-up on.
Avoid problematic products. How many products do you put on your face each day, from skin lotions to sunscreen to make up? You could be putting hundreds of chemicals on your face each day. Check that the things you’re using are oil-free or non-comedogenic, aka non-pore blocking. Also, look for products that have acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree oil. (Bonus tip: If you use brushes or sponges to apply make-up, clean them regularly, too.)
Reduce stress. Stress shows on your skin big time. This is because when the body’s under stress, it releases certain hormones that kick the skin’s oil glands into overdrive which can clog up the skin and lead to breakouts. To combat stress, you need to regularly make time in your schedule to take time out and relax. Take a walk, indulge in a bath, read a book, meditate, exercise, or do some other activity that gives your mind and body a break. Your skin will thank you for it.
Drink water. Water is necessary to rid waste products, give volume to blood plasma that carries vitamins and nutrients for healthy skin, and keep it moisturized from the inside. Dehydration can signal oil glands to start creating more oil, which can lead to acne outbreaks. The solution is simple: drink plenty of water throughout the day.
When is it time to see a dermatologist? If you have ongoing acne outbreaks that don’t get better no matter what you do, and the condition of your skin is having a negative impact on your self-esteem and your life, talk to your dermatologist about your treatment options. Everyone deserves to have clear beautiful skin.