Every one wants to have beautiful glowing skin but unfortunately many people suffer from acne vulgaris which is the most common skin condition. Persistent and severe acne is not only a cosmetic problem but can affect the self esteem negatively. While there are many oral and topical medications, gels and creams that can help eliminate acne, there are various everyday steps that can prevent the development of acne in the first place.
Acne commonly develops at puberty although there are many instances of adult acne. In some cases someone may not have had acne during adolescence but may then develop it during adulthood.
Acne Causes
Many factors can contribute to the development of acne and teenage acne usually develops as a result of hormones associated with entering the puberty phase that can cause overactive sebaceous (oil) glands leading to the clogging of pores with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria and the development of acne.
Acne can also run in families as a result of a hereditary component. Acne may develop in women just before the start of the menstruation as well as during a pregnancy and the postpartum period. Acne also develops from the use of various topical corticosteroid creams, the use of heavy oil based creams, oily hair care products that can migrate to the face or other common acne prone areas such as the neck, shoulders, chest and back. Stress is also another important cause of acne especially in adult women.
Contrary to popular belief, acne does not appear to be caused by greasy foods, chocolate, candy or soda. So reducing these foods as a way to eliminate acne will not work. Eliminating these foods will be great for your general health however!
Steps to Eliminate Acne For Acne-Prone Skin
As mentioned previously, there are many medications, gels and creams that can treat existing acne flare-ups but an important step to eliminate acne is prevention since learning how to prevent flare-ups in the first place is better that finding a cure once you develop acne or acne scars.
A. Cleansing
In order to regulate excessive oil production by the sebaceous glands in addition to exfoliating the skin, cleanse the skin daily with either a medicated acne cleanser that contains either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide or a cleanser that contains an alphahydroxy acid. You can also use a cleanser that is geared for your particular skin type. Most acne prone skin is either oily or combination skin and using a cleanser that is formulated for these skin types will help to eliminate acne by preventing it's development in the first place.
Wash the face twice daily and do not use any products that contain granules to scrub the face as they only aggravate acne. Do not use any rough washcloths, sponges or puffs. Use a gentle hand when handling the skin. Gently massage the face with the cleanser of your choice, and using tepid water, completely rinse the face and gently pat dry. If you do wear makeup during the day, ensure that all traces of makeup are removed each night so as not to clog the pores and worsen the acne.
B. Moisturizer
Skin needs to be moisturized on a daily basis even for acne prone skin that may produce excess oil. It is important to note that moisturizers containing various medications such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide may be very drying on the skin which will only lead to excessive production of pore clogging oil.
In order to eliminate acne by preventing its development, you may want to consider using an oil free moisturizer instead. Depending on the skin type, a moisturizer containing an alphahydroxy acid such as glycolic acid may be beneficial as this acid will help unclog congested pores and remove dead skin cells which will help to prevent the development of acne.
C. Sun Protection Habits
Daily sun protection is very important for any skin especially acne prone skin. You can use a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15 or you can apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 if your moisturizer does not contain sun protection. The sunscreen should be oil-free or non-comedogenic. Other ways to protect the skin from the sun include the use of hats, umbrellas, etc. Exposure to the sun of unprotected skin can lead to hyperpigmentation if your acne scars darken before they heal which is especially common with acne prone African American skin. Skin treated with acne medications can also be very sensitive to the sun if not properly protected.
D. Skin Exfoliation
In order to eliminate acne, skin exfoliation is very important to help improve the skin's texture. Using an exfoliating mask that contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide is excellent for fighting acne since this mask will absorb excess oil and also help in the prevention of dead skin cells accumulating and clogging the pores.
Other daily care tips that will help to prevent acne include not touching your face with your fingers which can contain bacteria and oil, limiting the use of hair oils and hair sprays, washing all items that touch the face daily such as brushes, sponges, etc. Minimizes stress is also very important to eliminate acne especially adult female acne.
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