6 Acne Skin Care Tips

A significant number of people of all ages suffer from skin problems such as rashes, blemishes,
blackheads and acne. Commonly developing during puberty, acne usually occurs during a time
of life when the individual is the most vulnerable and socially insecure. This makes acne not
only a physical condition but sometimes an emotional and/or psychological one. Acne can
shatter an individual’s confidence. Acne breakouts are the result of excessive secretions of oil
from glands under the skin, leading to a buildup that blocks the ducts leading to the skin's
surface. Acne primarily affects the face, chest, back and upper arms. Some people continue to
suffer from acne related skin infections for many years past their adolescence, although it
usually diminishes during early adulthood. There is no definite way to determine when acne
breakouts will stop.

Acne is frustrating for many people because it is unpredictable and sometimes seems out-ofcontrol.
Breakouts have been attributed to several factors, including diet, heredity and genetics,
vitamin deficiencies and stress. Since the exact causes acne are still unknown and there isn't
any measure available to prevent it. The best defense is a good acne skin care regimen which
ameliorates and controls acne breakouts. For more severe types of acne, such as cystic acne,
a dermatologist should be consulted since medical treatments are advisable to prevent or
lessen scarring, but for milder forms of acne there are many options available.

Six General Tips For Living With Acne

1. Washing twice a day, using mild cleansers and gentle movements is the best acne skin care
regimen. Gentle cleansing removes excess oils, dirt, and pollutants which contribute to the
development of blemishes. Strong detergents, harsh scrubbing, and harsh facial scrubbers
irritate the skin and may contribute to inflammation and breakouts. Also, its best to avoid
opening the blemishes since it may spread the infection over the skin. Squeezing pimples may
also cause them to burst under the skin infecting other skin pores as a result, dermatologists
strongly advise against doing this. Shampooing regularly also helps to prevent acne by keeping
the natural oils from hair off of the skin surface.

2. Astringents may be helpful for very oily skin but should be avoided for other skin types.
Choose astringents and other topical applications carefully, if they are too strong it may cause
more oil production and irritation.

3. For men, shaving should be done carefully in order to avoid irritating or spreading acne.
Choose a safety razor that is right for you by testing out a few. Soften beards by first washing
the face and neck with mild soap and warm water; then apply a shaving cream. Use care in
selecting the shaving cream because many contain ingredients such as menthol that may
irritate your acne. Use a sharp razor and shave lightly to avoid cuts and rupturing blemishes.

4. Exposing your skin for a while to the sun may help to erase blemishes at the skin surface.
The natural vitamin D in sunlight has been shown to improve skin quality. Nevertheless, care
should be taken to avoid excess sun exposure which leads to premature aging, dryness and
sunburn, and the development of skin cancer. Some prescription medications also cause
photo-sensitivity. Discuss with your physician whether mild sun exposure may help with your
individual case.

5. Individuals with acne should use oil free cosmetic products. Many cosmetics contain fatty
acids that may be harmful to acne prone individuals. Select good quality cosmetics but be
aware that some "oil free" products may be drying to the skin. Look for organic or acne-related
skin care products to lessen the impact of cosmetics upon acne. Keep in mind that topical
applications for acne treatment, such as some Benzoyl peroxide products, may react with the
facial cosmetics.

6. It is best to consult a dermatologist before applying any acne skin care product. Particularly
for serious cases of acne infection, treatment by a dermatologist is advisable to keep acne
under control and to prevent breakouts. Observing proper acne skin care is important especially
for younger individuals. Blemishes and rashes tend to heal faster when a person is younger but
severe acne cases should be properly taken care of to prevent scarring. A healthy diet and
lifestyle will also lessen the effects of acne.