How to Care for Your Acne-Prone Skin
2021.09.09How to Care for Your Acne-Prone Skin
All of us at some point in our lives have experienced at least some mild form of acne. Puberty is probably the most prevalent period for acne prone skin but some people still experience acne breakouts even in adulthood. Acne affects at least 10% of the global population and it’s one of the most common skin conditions. Having acne prone skin as an adult can sometimes damage one’s self-esteem but there is no need to worry as there are many solutions that are now made available to us in the market.
Having acne prone skin is not always due to poor hygiene or lack of skincare. Acne breakouts can sometimes be caused by genetics or lifestyle choices that can be detrimental to your skin’s health. If you were born with naturally good skin, keeping it clean and healthy is still essential. Most people make their first impressions through our physical appearances so it’s always important to pay attention to how well you’re taking care of your skin.
What You Can Do:
Regular Washing and Cleansing - Personal hygiene is highly important when it comes to maintaining your health. Poor hygiene cultivates an environment that attracts germs and bacteria which can lead to infections in the body. Practicing good hygiene especially when it comes to your skin is ideal especially when you have acne prone skin. The simple act of regularly washing your face with a good facial wash or cleanser can make a big difference to the health of your skin.
It’s always ideal to wash your face when you wake up and before you go to bed. Cleansing your face from dirt and sebum is important so it would not clog your pores. If you also routinely perform activities that cause you to sweat a lot, then it’s highly possible that the perspiration that stays on your skin may be attracting dirt which causes acne prone skin. In this case, washing your face every time you sweat may also be a good idea.
Apply Moisturizer - According to some experts, having an oily face may come with benefits. A person with a naturally oily face may have thicker skin and may show fewer wrinkles. However, just because the surface of the skin may appear to look naturally moisturized, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t dry on the inside.
Having dry skin may cause your body to produce more oil which may even be the reason why you’re producing sebum excessively. Adding a moisturizer to your daily skincare routine can make a huge difference. Moisturizers don’t actually add water to your skin but rather retain the water inside. This is also why staying hydrated and maintaining a low-sodium diet is important in keeping your skin moisturized.
Avoid Touching Your Face - It may be hard to resist picking or scratching your face when you have acne prone skin. Acne breakouts are often annoying but it’s important not to touch your face no matter how infuriating it can be. Scratching or picking your acne may only cause more irritation and inflammation. Squeezing and touching acne may also cause deeper lesions that become scars.
Scratching and picking can also prolong the healing process and can do more harm than good. Popping your acne can spread the bacteria even more and may affect non-infected areas. Popping or picking your acne may feel relieving but you may be left with an open wound that is more vulnerable to infection.
Pay Attention to Skincare - The skin is the largest organ in the body which is why it’s necessary to practice proper skin care. It may be a little bit difficult to figure out where to begin establishing a daily skincare routine especially with all the products that are available in the market today. Finding a routine that fits your lifestyle and budget is always ideal so you would be encouraged to religiously stick to your skincare routine.
But what steps and products are necessary to keep your skin healthy? The effectiveness of a skincare routine does not depend on the brand or the price of the products you use. What matters is choosing a routine that fits into your schedule and products that work best for your skin type. Finding skin products that are suitable for your skin may take a bit of trial and error but of course, it’s still important to know what ingredients are proven to be the most effective when you follow the steps of a basic skincare routine.
● Step 1 - Prepare your skin by simply washing it with a good facial cleanser. Facial cleansers come in many variations. It’s important to know which product would be the most suitable for your skin type. If you have oily skin, finding a facial cleanser that contains salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide might be helpful in terms of washing away excess sebum. It also helps eliminate the build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. If you have dry skin, a product that contains aloe vera is said to work best as an effective moisturizing facial cleanser.
● Step 2 - Applying toner once your skin is dry after cleansing is always the next preferable step to a good skincare routine. If you have sensitive skin, it’s always important to use a mild toner so you can avoid any kind of skin irritations. A toner that contains witch hazel is said to do wonders for different skin types. If you have acne prone skin, it can ease inflammations and decrease redness. It also helps moisturize and hydrate your skin which can aid excessive oil production.
● Step 3 - Like the aforementioned, moisturizers help your skin reduce excessive sebum production. Finding a good moisturizer doesn’t have to be expensive as there are plenty of effective yet cheap moisturizing products in the market. However, plenty of people may not like the feeling of moisturizers after application. If you are one of these people, then going for a moisturizing serum might be a better option.
● Step 4- Sunscreen is often neglected yet one of the most important parts of any skincare routine. Exposure to the sun can make your skin vulnerable to UV rays which causes cell damage and premature aging. Applying an effective sunscreen preserves your skin’s health and youthful glow.