There are three basic ways to prevent acne and ensure you have a good looking complexion: (1) unclog your pores (2) get rid of bacteria on your skin and (3) minimize the oil on your skin. While you can try to do this, also consider the following when dealing with acne:
Being healthy and active are good ways to keep your complexion healthy. While we may not be able to get all of the sleep and exercise we need, we can eat properly, exercise and keep our skin clean. Even if you do all of the proper things, you may still have a problem with acne. If you do, you can treat it yourself by not picking the acne; do not pop the acne, and applying hot compresses to the pustules and cysts. Also get facials as they really help clean the skin.
Don’t play, pop, squeeze, or annoy the pimples. This will cause them to become red and inflamed and could lead to scarring. Some people call the redness that remains after the acne has left as scars, but the redness usually goes away in time and is not permanent.
The key is to keep the pores open and clean. You can help so this by:
Cleaning your skin with mild cleansers and not scrubbing it. Contrary to popular belief, there is no magic tonic or gel to get rid of acne. Use a mild cleanser and this will help keep the pores open and the skin looking healthy. Wash your face twice a day to keep it oil and dirt free.
There are many exfoliating cleansers and masks available on the market that will help your skin. These products contain salicylic acid and fine granules help clean the skin and remove the layer of dead skin cells that could lead to acne.
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and it helps to promote skin peeling as well as keep the skin clear from acne. Its name is similar to a prescription medication Retin-A which is a totally different thing so you have to be careful not to be confused over the counter.
Another key factor for clear skin is bacteria. You need to try and get rid of the bacteria that are on your skin to ensure a clear complexion. There are ways you can do this:
There are several cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide that help get rid of bacteria.
Topical (external) applications: These kinds of products are in the form of gels, creams, and lotions, which have to be applied to the affected area. The active ingredients that destroy surface bacteria include benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and resorcinol. There are a few brands promoted on the TV and via other media channels. Among them a well-known ProActiv which is more costly but not necessarily any better than ones you can get in the drugstore.
Benzoyl Peroxide can cause redness and flaking skin in some people that will go away as soon as you stop using it. Benzoyl peroxide contains bleach, so you must be careful when you use it and avoid getting the benzoyl peroxide in contact with clothes, towels and other household items that might lose its color due to the bleach.
You also need to reduce the amount of oil on your skin. While you can’t stop your oil glands from producing the oil that causes pimples, you can reduce it. There are cleansers and topical solutions that can reduce the oil and help get rid of that embarrassing shine.
Using a gentle astringent or toner to wipe away the oil also helps and there are many available over the counter at your local pharmacy. When you are looking for these products, find the ones that contain alpha hydroxyl acids as they help clear the skin by removing the superficial layer of the skin. Masks that contain sulfur and other ingredients that draw out the oil also help and products with benzoyl peroxide will defiantly help clear the skin.