Since acne results from excess oil that clogs pores, acne skin care advice focuses on reducing the amount of oil on your skin and minimizing the likelihood of your pores getting clogged. Follow the following suggestions to reduce acne.
- Keep your skin clean: Gently clean your skin a few times a day with a mild wash. If you scrub too hard, you risk irritating those areas and can make the problem worse. Be sure to always clean your skin after sweating. Shampoo your hair often.
- Don’t touch your skin: Avoid the temptation of touching your skin. Just don’t do it! Picking at, squeezing, and popping pimples can lead to infections in the short-term and marks or scarring in the long-term.
- Shave carefully: If at all possible, try not to shave every day. Prep your face with warm water and soap before putting on shaving cream. Use a sharp razor. Electric razors work better for some people. Don’t try purposefully pop your pimples with the razor.
- Stay out of the sun: Reduce your exposure to the sun as much as possible. It may make your acne worse. Certain acne medications can make you more susceptible to sunburn thus increasing your risk of developing skin cancer. If you’re going to be out in the sun, make sure to protect your skin with a sunscreen that won’t clog your pores. Read the labels.
- Keep things from touching your face: Your hands, hair, and other objects carry dirt and oil that can cause acne. Hats and tight clothing can trap in oils as well.
- Be careful what you put on your face: People have a tendency to try to cover up their pimples with cosmetics. You want to avoid oily and greasy make up as well as gels and other hair products. Check the labels to make sure they are noncomedogenic (won’t clog your pores) or water-based.