Caring for Acne Prone Skin

Although blemishes has long been considered a problem of teenagers, they don't always disappear when you get older. Unfortunately, adults can and do have blemishes too. Whatever your age, it’s wise to be careful what you put on your skin since it will be absorbed into your body.

Keep A Gentle Touch When Washing.

Scrubbing your face is the worst thing you can do if you're prone to blemishes. As it happens, if you rub your skin too roughly, it’s more likely to stir up more blemishes and aggravate ones you already have. It's quite important you gently clean your face.

Gently washing your face helps to avoid irritation that will make acne worse. It's better to not 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 Is The Best Bet.

After you're sure your skin is completely dry, then use an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide. This is by far 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 too helpful to irritate your skin and make acne worse instead of better.

It’s also important to start with a SMALL amount of medication. This medication is a drying agent and can cause redness and itchiness, so don’t slather on a bunch right from the beginning. For starters, just enough medication to very lightly cover your skin the first time, then gradually increase the amount you’re using. Within a couple of weeks you should be slathering a good coating of medication on your skin.

Be especially 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.

Using Moisturizer.

Because benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin, it’s important to apply moisturizer. Once the medicine has soaked in and your skin is 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.

Make it a point to apply the moisturizer even when first beginning to use benzoyl peroxide. This will help prevent 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. Too much iodine will aggravate blemishes, so don’t go overboard with the salt shaker if you’re using iodized salt, or eat too many iodine rich foods like clams, crabs or other shellfish.

However, if you notice that your skin tends to break out more after eating certain foods, ditch the scientific theory of the moment, and avoid those foods. So many factors come into play with body chemistry and the effects of foods and other substances on our body, that scientists don't always have the answer. (How many drugs have been considered safe, only to discover later they have bad side effects?)

Quick And Easy 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. It helps absorb excess oil, and can kill the blemish.
• Immediately after washing your face, use an ice cube for 60 seconds on any blemishes. The cold from the ice cube helps reduce the inflammation and make them less noticeable.
• Don't squeeze! While it may seemingly allow that place to heal more quickly, it will irritate the surrounding skin and may cause more blemishes.
• Steer clear of oil based make-up. Oil based make-ups are especially bad for acne prone skin. If you want to wear make-up, look for fragrance-free types that are meant for people with sensitive skin.

The Desire Is For Clear Skin.

Blemishes are an unwanted problem, but a good skin care regimen can usually help or totally eradicate the problem. 

Clear skin is the clear goal.