Anyone who has battled recurrent acne knows how difficult it can be to get your skin to recover. However, you can take efforts to stop new ones from developing while still attempting to treat the existing pimples, interrupting what can often seem like an unstoppable cycle of breakouts.
Even while there isn’t a foolproof method to permanently get rid of acne, you can lessen breakouts and maintain the healthiest possible skin.
Best strategies to prevent pimples and be on your way to clearer skin:
- Properly wash your face
Although they can develop elsewhere on the skin, pimples on the face are more common. Despite the complexity of the skin microbiome, Propionibacterium acnes is a bacterium that has been linked to acne outbreaks. When this bacteria converts sebum, the skin’s natural oil, into fatty acids, it produces irritation.
Getting rid of extra oil, debris, and sweat on a daily basis might help prevent acne, but over-washing your face can exacerbate acne.
“When we overwash our skin, we actually encourage the skin to generate more oil in an effort to restore its natural balance.
As a result, over-washing your face and using cleansers and astringents that dry up your skin too much can both worsen acne.
You should only wash your face twice a day as a general rule.
Using sulfate-free, fragrance-free, and mild enough cleansers for twice-daily use. Leave the rough physical scrubbing and foamy, drying cleaners alone.
Cleaning your face
- Apply warm water—not hot—to your face.
- Apply a light cleanser using your fingers, not a washcloth, in a gentle, circular motion.
- Thoroughly rinse.
- Clean off.
- Recognize your skin tone
Knowing the kind of your skin might help you choose which cosmetics to use and which to avoid. If you’re still unclear, you can ask a dermatologist for assistance or utilize the following criteria to determine your skin type:
- Your skin frequently feels tight and flaking.
- By the end of the day, your skin usually seems glossy.
- There are both dry and oily parts of you. The T-zone, often known as your forehead, nose, and chin, is typically the greasy area.
- Your skin is prone to rashes, discolouration, and irritation and reacts readily to products. Any of the aforementioned skin types can coexist with sensitive skin.
Acne is generally more common in persons with oily skin, though anybody can get pimples. Knowing your skin type might make it simpler to select an acne programme that will help your skin clean up.
Too many products containing active chemicals, such as a retinol cream, a salicylic acid wash, and the best exfoliating toner, might harm the skin barrier and exacerbate breakouts if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Using a moisturizer designed for dry skin may be overly occlusive and cause clogged pores if your skin tends to be oilier.
- Use a moisturizer
For skin that is prone to acne, moisturizers make a significant difference in keeping the skin hydrated. Your skin will create oil (sebum) to counteract the dryness if it becomes too dry. And as was already mentioned, acne can be brought on by an overabundance of sebum.
However, a lot of moisturizers include oils, artificial fragrances, or other substances that might irritate your skin and result in breakouts. Before buying a moisturizer, make sure to examine the ingredient list to confirm that it is fragrance-free and noncomedogenic.
- Make use of OTC acne medications
OTC acne medications can speed up the healing process and in some cases work to prevent breakouts altogether.
Just keep in mind that overusing OTC remedies can occasionally result in irritation and dryness, so it’s crucial to adhere to the manufacturer’s usage recommendations.
What you should know about the most prevalent active chemicals used in over-the-counter acne remedies is as follows:
- Peroxide of benzoyl. Because it eliminates acne-causing bacteria, benzoyl peroxide works best on inflammatory acne, such as cysts and red pimples.
- Acid salicylate. This component helps to open pores and lessen inflammation, making it perfect for blackheads and whiteheads.
- A natural component called sulfur is frequently softer than the first two. Dead skin cells can be dried off in order to clear pores and absorb extra sebum.
Not sure which over-the-counter acne treatment will benefit your skin the most or achieve your unique skin goals? It could be worthwhile to speak with a dermatologist for a professional assessment of your skin.
A dermatologist can make expert product recommendations and offer guidance on any possible drug interactions to be aware of. For instance, combining retinol with a beta hydroxy acid (such as salicylic acid) can result in excessive dryness and irritability, thus you should generally avoid doing so.
- Stay hydrated
Your body may tell your skin’s oil glands to generate extra oil if you’re dehydrated. Additionally, dehydration makes your skin appear lackluster and encourages irritation and discolouration.
Make an effort to consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day to keep your body well hydrated.
When pregnant, nursing, or spending time in a hot, humid environment, you should drink more.
- Limit makeup
Although you might be tempted to cover up pimples with cosmetics, you should be aware that doing so could clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Choose a foundation or concealer that is non comedogenic and fragrance-free if you don’t want to give up makeup altogether to prevent aggravating your skin further.
Make sure to thoroughly wash off any makeup before bed and at the end of the day.
Along with keeping makeup to a minimum, it never hurts to be cautious while using any other items close to your face, especially hair styling tools.
You might want to think about using oil-free, non comedogenic alternatives for products like hairspray, dry shampoo, and texturizing because they can come into touch with your skin and trigger breakouts.
- Try not to touch your face
When you touch your face, bacteria and pore-clogging pollutants can be transferred to your skin.
It can be difficult to refrain from caressing your face, but try to be aware of how frequently you do it and attempt to stop yourself as much as you can.
What is more useful? routinely washing your hands In this manner, your hands will be clean if you touch your face, which, to be honest, you probably will.