How to Prevent Acne
Some people say that acne is a normal part of life, but does it really have to be so? Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to prevent pimples from ever showing up in your face.
Where Do Pimples Come From?
Pimples typically arise from dirt and oil getting trapped in your pores. They can also be triggered by allergies and hormones, but dirt buildup is usually the cause.
Know Your Skin
Acne can stem from genetics, your diet, hormones, allergies, certain habits, medication and your environment, among other things. If you have observed your family members to be prone to acne outbreaks at whatever age, there’s a possibility that you will be susceptible to acne yourself.
Check your skin type if it is oily, dry or a combination of both. Identifying your skin type will help you find a way to treat and prevent acne. Here’s a quick look how:
Oily residue: You have a combination of dry and oily skin
Oily patches everywhere: You have oily skin
Flaky skin or residue: You have dry skin
Slight oil sheen everywhere: You have normal skin
Knowing the root of your acne, or at least the likely cause of acne, is key in preventing acne. Once you’ve narrowed down your root causes, it’s time to take action.
Clean Your Skin
Finding the right skin cleanser for your skin type is very important in preventing acne. It must not be too harsh as to strip your face’s natural oil and cause irritation on your skin. However, skin cleansers that are too gentle might not be enough for you to effectively fight against acne.
Finding the right cleanser is generally a trial and error process. The best way is usually to purchase sampler packs of different brands of skin cleanser. Some people even use normal bath soap for their skin, but of course, it still depends on what your skin will respond the best with.
Washing your face twice a day is enough to keep your skin clean. Wash your face before putting on any make-up or facial treatment in the morning, and wash off your face again in the evening before going to sleep. This will prevent buildup of oils, pollutant and residue on your face, hence preventing pimples.
Minimizing makeup use is helpful, but if you cannot avoid it, use cold cream or makeup remover first before using a facial cleanser, for a more thorough makeup removal.
Moisturize
Some people think that the natural oil on your face causes pimples and acne, but they are not completely right. It is the buildup of oil that causes trouble, not the oil itself.
Having dry skin, or washing your face too often can be detrimental because these causes the skin to produce too much oil. The oil then will cause a buildup that in turn causes acne. That’s why it’s very important that we apply moisturizer after washing our face, because this will help retain the moisture and not cause the skin to produce oil on overdrive. Find a moisturizer brand that will be gentle on your skin.
Keeping away from the sun will also prevent dry skin and acne. If you cannot avoid sun exposure, wear a facial moisturizer with SPF protection and a hat!
Eat Right, Keep Hydrated
Avoid eating oily food and junk food. Food allergies are a cause of acne, so try to avoid them. A proper diet with lots of fruits and vegetables will make your skin healthier, and healthy skin means acne-free skin.
Drinking plenty of water, at least two liters a day, will keep skin healthy by helping you produce sweat. Drinking water will encourage you to flush out impurities, discouraging these impurities to stick around and wreak havoc on your skin.
Don’t Stress
Stress translates into physical forms in many ways, and that includes acne. Stop worrying, and snap out of that depression. Getting enough sleep, exercising, eating healthy food, and taking a break now and then will greatly help with preventing acne.
Facial Treatment
While washing your face regularly does a tremendous job in preventing pimples, you will have to do something more every now and then. Getting professional facial treatments is one thing, but at home, you can simply use a facial scrub and a facial mask. Use each only once a week, and not on the same day! The reason is that using these too often can strip your skin of its natural oil and cause irritation.
Visit Your Dermatologist
Sometimes, products and good facial habits are not enough. Hormones and allergens sometime need medical prescription to be dealt with. Visiting your dermatologist will give you a full view of your options for your acne condition.