Keeping your skin clear is an ongoing battle that affects everyone. One of the most common enemies we face is acne. Described as an inflammatory skin problem, acne can range from mildly frustrating to an incredibly
stressful problem that can leave scars on our face. While acne isn’t exactly a serious threat, it’s significant enough to have an emotional effect on you. It can hurt your self-esteem and confidence, it can make you shy away from social gatherings, and can even result in lost focus at work or school.
Thankfully, there are a handful of practical ways to deal with your acne.
Understanding why acne occurs
First, we have to understand what causes acne in the first place. In general, there are three main factors:
- Clogged hair follicles
- Bacterial infections that cause inflammation
- Hormonal fluctuations that cause your face to secrete oil
Blackheads are typically considered a very normal form of acne. These can be upgraded to whiteheads when they’re more severe and eventually cysts. Acne is most common in teenagers and young adults, but you can have severe breakouts much later in life as a grown adult. Genetics and environmental influences can also play a role in your acne.
Now that we have a better understanding of why people get acne, let’s look at how you can get clearer skin with some practical advice.
Keep your face clean and pores clear
The main focus of dealing with acne is to reduce inflammation and remove any bacteria that is associated with acne formation. This means removing all makeup before you go to bed or when you come home, and cleaning your face on a regular basis to remove dirt. Keep in mind that washing your face too much can have an inverse effect and make your acne worse. If you find that your breakouts are particularly bad, you may want to consider an acne treatment from a reputable spa or clinic. These are generally much more effective at clearing acne on a short-term basis.
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet is also a huge component of your acne. Studies suggest that consuming fewer carbohydrates and sugars can actually lead to reduced breakouts. However, this can vary from person to person and it’s a good idea to try and understand what foods have a higher chance of affecting you personally. You can do this by keeping a food diary to see what things can cause breakouts and what foods are generally safe.
Use products designed for your face
A common mistake that people make is using different kinds of creams on their face that aren’t actually designed for facial use. These creams can often clog pores which you can avoid by using a product that is designed specifically for facial use. In general, oil-free products are going to fare much better on your face because they’re less likely to clog your pores or exacerbate acne breakouts on your face. In other words, be more mindful about the products you use!
•How do you treat your acne?
Thank you for reading!
