Aug 25 2008
Acne Skin Care: Consistent, Patient and Gentle
While acne skin care is important for anyone who is acne prone, a good skin care regimen is good for everyone. Age and skin type notwithstanding, people with clear skin benefit just as much by regular cleansing and moisturizing with hypoallergenic skin care products. Unfortunately, acne skin care routines are even more important because of the effects moderate to severe acne can have on person, not just physically, but also mentally. By getting into a good acne skin care regimen, most people can stave up acne flare ups.
Acne skin care starts with proper cleansing
Acne skin care experts around the world all agree that when using an acne skin care routine gentleness on the skin should remain a key point. Scrubbing a face filled with acne pustules only damages the skin more. The pustules can open and spread infection. Acne skin care should start with gentle washing the face with a good acne skin cleanser to be followed with gentle rinsing and patting the skin dry.
The first rule of acne skin care is throwing away all of the cleansers that contain abrasive ingredients. This is quickly followed by gentle washing and not scrubbing as mentioned above. A mild cleansing exfoliate is a good acne skin care product to use because it helps to remove dead skin cells. Abrasive products can also spread the bacterium that causes acne around the face, which is why they should not use them in their acne skin care regimen.
When dirt and sweat mingle on the face they can irritate the acne infections already present on the face as well as block more pores. This can lead to additional outbreaks, hence the reason for using an acne skin care treatment at least twice a day. Acne skin care treatments should include trusted products like TriClear, ClearPores, ProActiv, or Exposed, but these are only a few of the acne skin care products available on the market. If you are already using an acne skin care product that seems to be working for you, continue using it. Always make sure your acne treatment contains benzyl peroxide and if possible, salicylic acid.
Acne skin care includes what you eat, drink, and put on your face
The food you eat and drink can trigger acne outbreaks, so you need to make sure that your acne skin care routine includes avoiding eating or drinking things that irritate it. A good diet of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants not only helps your body feel better, it helps keep your acne from flaring. Eight glasses of water a day is also a good addition to your acne skin care routine as it helps flush out toxins and keeps you skin hydrated.
Acne skin care should also include avoiding cosmetics if your acne is moderate to severe. If you should happen to want to wear make-up, make sure you use water-based make-up and products that are ‘acne friendly’. You could possibly include cosmetics made with natural minerals and ingredients or hypoallergenic products into your acne skin care regimen. Some cosmetics are now actually made with acne fighting ingredients in them.
Men with acne need to take care when shaving around pimples and severe acne cysts. Shaving cream that matches their skin type can be added into their acne skin care routine to help keep the outbreaks at bay. And, if at all possible, they should avoid shaving all together if their acne seems to be more prominent some days than most. It’s better to have a five o’clock shadow than ruining your acne skin care routine’s hard work by spreading it.
I had always heard, too, that “harsh” exfoliants were helpful in eliminating acne, but those can really be so harmful for your skin. I had no idea that they could actually cause the acne to become worse though.