Although blemishes has long been considered a problem of teenagers, they don’t always disappear when you get older. Unfortunately, adults can and do have blemishes too. Whatever your age, it’s wise to be careful what you put on your skin since it will be absorbed into your body.
Gentle Face Care.
Scrubbing your face isn’t going to get rid of blemishes if you’re prone to acne. It turns out it does the opposite. If you rub your skin too roughly, it’s more likely to stir up more blemishes and aggravate ones you already have. It’s important to clean your face gently.
By washing your face gently, you’ll avoid irritation that will make acne worse. Don’t even use a washcloth. It’s better to just splash some water on your face, then lather up your hands with the mild cleansing wash or mild soap.
Once you’ve washed your face, use a clean washcloth to gently pat the water off the skin until it’s dry.
Benzoyl Peroxide Best Acne Fighter.
Once you’re sure your skin is completely dry, then use an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide. This is definitely the best non-prescription medication you can use to control blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide is a mild drying agent, and peroxide has long been used to cleanse skin.
Use 2.5% benzoyl peroxide as it has been shown to be just as effective as 5% or 10%, and is far less irritating to your sking. It’s a bad idea to irritate your skin and make acne worse instead of better.
It’s also important to start with a SMALL amount of medication. Don’t slather on bunches right from the beginning, as this is a drying agent and can cause redness and itchiness,. For starters, just enough medication to very lightly cover your skin the first time, then gradually increase the amount you’re using. Within a couple of weeks you should be slathering a good coating of medication on your skin.
Be careful to stay away from the tender skin under your eyes. This skin is thinner and more easier irritated that the rest of the skin on your face, and not likely to break-out anyway.
Using Moisturizer.
It’s important to apply moisturizer, because benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin. Once your skin is completely dry, lightly apply moisturizer to your face. After the moisturizer has time to dry, if you skin still appears dry or flaky, add some more.
It’s vital to apply the moisturizer even when first beginning to use benzoyl peroxide. This will keep your skin from drying out too much.
Will Diet Make A Difference?
The scientific community is on again, off again, as to whether diet has any effect on acne. It is known that too much iodine will aggravate blemishes, don’t eat too many iodine rich foods like clams, crabs or other shellfish. Also don’t go overboard with the salt shaker if you’re using iodized salt.
If you notice that your skin tends to break out more after eating certain foods, however, ditch the scientific theory of the moment, and avoid those foods. Scientists don’t always have the definitive answer since body chemistry and the effects of foods and other substances on our skin is so complex. (How many drugs have been considered a-o-k, only to discover at a later date they have bad side effects?)
Quick Tips.
When you have a blemish and need help quick, try one of the following:
- If you run out of benzoyl peroxide and have a blemish, try using a little calamine lotion. This absorbs the excess oil, getting rid of the blemish.
- Immediately after washing your face, use an ice cube for 60 seconds on any blemishes. The ice helps reduce the inflammation and make them less noticeable.
- Squeeaing is a no-no! It may open up one and allow it to seemingly heal more quickly, but will irritate the surrounding skin and may cause more blemishes.
- Stay away from oil based make-up. An oil based make-up is especially bad for blemish prone skin. If you wish to use make-up, look for fragrance-free types that are meant for people with sensitive skin.
The Result Is Better Skin.
Blemishes are an unwanted problem, but a good skin care regimen can usually help or totally eradicate the problem.
Clear skin is the clear goal.
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