Keep your face clean
Whether or not you have acne, it’s important to wash your face daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and excess oil from the skin surface. Use warm, not hot, water and a mild facial cleanser. Using a harsh soap (like deodorant body soap) can injure the already inflamed skin and cause more irritation.
Avoid scrubbing your skin harshly with a washcloth, exfoliating glove, or loathe. Gently wash it with your clean hands or a very soft cloth. Always rinse well, and then dry your face with a clean towel. (Toss the towel in the laundry hamper, as dirty towels spread bacteria.)
Moisturize
Many topical acne products contain ingredients that dry the skin, so always use a moisturizer that minimizes dryness and skin peeling. A gel-based moisturizer usually works well for oily skin. If you have dry skin, try a moisturizing cream or lotion. Combination skin may need two products (cream or lotion for the dry section; a gel for the oily part). Always hydrate your skin with water before you moisturize it.
Use makeup sparingly
During a breakout, try to avoid wearing foundation, powder, or blush. If you do wear makeup, wash it off at the end of the day. If possible, select oil-free cosmetics without added dyes and chemicals. Water-based cosmetics are available. Read the ingredients list on the product label before buying.
Watch what you put on your hair
Avoid using fragrances, oils, and harsh chemicals on your hair. These ingredients can drip on the face, blocking the skin pores and irritating the skin. Stick to a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Oily hair can add to the oil on your face, so wash hair often, especially during a pimple outbreak. If your hair is long, keep it pulled off your face.
Keep your hands off your face
Avoid touching your face or propping your cheek or chin on your hands. Not only can you spread bacteria, you can also irritate the already inflamed facial skin. Never pick or pop pimples with your fingers, as it can result in infection and scarring.
Preventing sun damage
The most important tip to prevent sun damage is to wear a UVA/UVB sun block with an SPF of 30 every single day. UVB are the sun’s burning rays, which are strongest in the summer months. During these months it is advisable to wear the highest possible number SPF since SPF is protection against UVB rays. UVA on the other hand doesn’t change with the seasons and it remains constant year round. That is why daily UVA/UVB protection is essential for preventing sun damage.
Even though we live in a rainy place sunscreen is still very important! No matter what climate you live in, you still need to think about sun protection. You must also think about moisturizing your skin. Even if you live in an environment that is seemingly friendly to skin, the power of the sun’s rays cannot be underestimated. It is more important than ever to protect and moisturize your skin to retain a healthy-looking glow and to minimize damage due to sun and neglect.
Don’t smoke
Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.
If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.
Treat your skin gently
Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:
- Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.
- Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
- Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
- Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
- Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn’t clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.
Manage stress
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.
How to Avoid Acne Pimples
Clogged pores on the skin cause pimples. Acne Pimples can be very frustrating and the first thing you think of when you notice a new one popping up it how you are going to get rid of it. Well you should be thinking about how to avoid acne pimples well before they show up on your skin. There are some things you can do to help avoid acne pimples.
Instructions
- The first thing you should do to avoid Acne Pimples is research. There are many products available and informational sites out there that will tell you what is best to get rid of pimples or avoid them all together. The most important thing you should learn from this article is that everyone’s skin is different and the reason they get pimples will also be different. What works to cure pimples for one person will be different for another person. There is no cure all for pimples, if there was then no one would ever have them.
- Since acne pimples form from dirt and oils getting clogged under your skin one of the best suggestions to avoid pimples is to drink lots of water. Not only does this help eliminate the dirt that is getting stuck in your pores it also softens you skin which will allow the dirt to naturally escape your pores.
- If you are using soap that leaves your skin feeling dry or taught after you are done it is drying out your skin. You should switch to a product that leaves your skin feeling clean and soft. If you have sensitive skin try a product specially made for sensitive skin. If your not sure weather your soap is the problem you can always try changing it for a short time and see if there are any changes.
- You should always wash your face before going to bed. This is especially important for people working in the elements, anyone in sports or activities that make them sweat, and girls that wear makeup. Use a mild face-cleaning product and wash your complete face. If you are using a good quality face cleaner you should have to use any pressure just lightly wipe it across your face to remove the dirt that has built up. You should gently was your face twice a day unless absolutely necessary to wash more. Washing too much can cause your skin to dry out. This will trigger your body to produce more oil and with oil there are pimples.
- Try using make up that is not oil based to help avoid pimples. This should be clearly labeled on the make up. Some make up brands have products that have oil control included. These are helpful if you have very oily skin.
- Some medication will increase your chances of getting acne pimples. Make sure to ask your doctor if there is a possibility of pimples due to any medication you may be on. They may have an alternative available if you ask. Birth control is a medication that is known to cause pimple outbreaks in many people.
- Monitor the amount of sun exposure you have on your skin. Sun block should be used if you are in the sun for any long periods of time.
- Stress is also known to be a trigger for pimples. Try to avoid stress in your life to avoid acne pimples and have clear healthy skin.
- Many people do recommend using Proactive to help cure your pimples. Since everyone’s skin is different I suggest consulting a dermatologist for more specific guidance when selecting chemical treatments for pimples.
Food
There is no denying the direct relationship between the foods you eat and the quality of your skin.
One of the best things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms that accompany acne is to avoid foods that are damaging both to your health and skin. Below are the 3 types of foods that are most likely to exacerbate your acne condition.
Fried Foods Cause Acne
The types of fats we consume on a daily basis have a big impact on the health of our skin. Most commercial fried foods are fried in industrially processed liquid fats and oils such as soy, corn, safflower, cottonseed and canola. These fats are unnatural, act like plastic in your body, and are very damaging to skin health.
Other unhealthy fats include, all hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils and fats and oils (especially vegetable oils) heated to very high temperatures in processing and frying. If you are consuming these unhealthy fats on a regular basis, your body will be forced to use these fats to construct new skin cells. These skin cells will not function properly and acne, including other skin diseases can manifest!
Healthy skin cells that function properly are built upon with healthy, life-promoting fats and oils. These include butter, fats from animal sources such as tallow or lard, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and cod liver oil. Many healthy fats have a high saturated fat content. You should not blindly follow the many misconceptions there are concerning saturated fats! Saturated fatty acids constitute at least 50 percent of your cell membranes.
Common Fried Foods That Cause Acne:
- French Fries
- Doughnuts
- Chinese Fast Food
- Fried Chicken
- Onion Rings
- Mozzarella Sticks
Foods High in Sugars Cause Acne
The average person living in the Western world consumes about 125 pounds of refined table sugar every year. Did you know that sugar is poisonous to the body and that it leads to, or directly causes, several different health problems and diseases, acne included?
Acne in Men
Most men who have acne as teenagers will outgrow the condition. But some men will still have severe acne decades later.
What Causes Acne in Men?
For most people, changes in hormone levels trigger acne. These hormones create oils that can lead to clogged pores, which sometimes let bacteria grow. Both of these problems cause breakouts.
Men whose fathers had severe acne are more likely to have it, too. Some medications such as lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder, and corticosteroids can also bring on acne.
The Male Breakout
Men often get acne on the face and back.
Sweating can make it worse. Breakouts of back acne often happen in hot weather or after exercising. Back acne is harder to control than acne on your face. (The good news is that fewer people see acne on your back.)
Some men get shaving bumps that look like acne, but this is actually caused by ingrown hairs or shaving improperly.
What You Can Do
Keep your skin clean. Many different cleansers are available. In general, avoid products with beads in them, because they can irritate your skin. Wash your skin twice a day.
Your Face
Use your hands or a baby washcloth that is gentle on your skin. Make sure to use a clean washcloth every time you wash your face.
Be careful when shaving. Use a clean razor every time. You might want to use an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide wash before and after you shave. Your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic foam that you can mix with your shaving cream to help prevent breakouts.
If shaving bumps are a problem for you, try using an electric razor, and don’t shave too closely.
Your Back
When showering, use a cleansing brush with an extension to wash hard-to-reach areas on your back. A sonic cleansing system with a changeable brush head is another option.
Products containing benzoyl peroxide can help control acne on your back.
A white, cotton tee-shirt is the best thing to have closest to your skin.
Stubborn Acne
If acne won’t go away, other treatments may help.
Some non-prescription creams and lotions can not only help with acne but may also erase wrinkles that come with aging. Go easy on lotions containing benzoyl peroxide. They can be helpful, but they can dry your skin.
Talk to your doctor or dermatologist about prescription medications, including antibiotics to fight acne. Drugs with ingredients called retinoids are effective. Drugs that control hormones are not used for men.
For severe cases, some men use a drug called isotretinoin Women who plan to get pregnant must avoid this drug, as it can cause birth defect