Good Acne Skin Care practices play a minor role in whether you develop acne. But good skin care is essential in treating all types of acne and to ensure good healthy skin in general.
Never Give Your Acne Skin A Good Scrubbing
Clean healthy skin and good acne skin care are your first defence against pathogens of all kinds. Removing multiple layers of healthy skin doesn’t promote good skin health.
And, although some hygienists believe that a thorough scrubbing will help prevent acne, actual washing has little effect on whether acne develops or not.
Scrubbing certainly doesn’t help, Usually it merely roughens and often dries out your skin. Harsh treatment of your skin exposes the lower layers, which then have to develop a protective coating of oil and outer dermis. While it does that, your skin is exposed to airborne and contact bacteria.
Instead, a gentle washing with a mild cleanser is a good acne skin care regime.
Be thorough. Since acne can occur on shoulders, back and chest as well as the face, take care of those areas in the shower. During mid-day and in the evening, a mild cleansing from underneath your jaw to your hairline will help.
Don’t Use Plenty of Astringent …
While your natural skin oil (sebum) plays a role in developing acne, removing every trace of it is never beneficial.
Sebum helps keep your skin flexible, which discourages micro-cracks from forming. Micro-cracks that can provide a pathway for bacteria.
Sebum also keeps the skin from becoming overly-dry, a condition which can also lead to small cracks in the outer layers.
Astringents that remove oil should only be used sparingly. Over the counter acne treatments are specially formulated to achieve the correct balance in a good acne skin care routine and they should be used according to the directions.
Shaving and Acne …. Ouch!
Shaving is always a challenge. The mature male face is usually the most difficult acne problem to solve.
Electric razors can help solve it, but even they can nick the skin, especially when your skin contains blemishes. So, there’s no substitute for patient, careful movements and using a pre-shave softener can help too.
Use of a manual or safety razor is possible as it plays a negligible role in the development of acne. Ingrown hair and clogged pores that produce acne have different causes.
Don’t backshave against the direction of hair growth and always soften your beard before shaving, using warm water and a mild antiseptic soap to help smooth the process.
Try to hide it with makeup … But don’t pile it on.
Makeup selection is much easier these days. There are numerous formulations that are targetted to the acne sufferer. Formulations that are designed not to clog pores.
Going light on the foundation can help. Subtle cheek blush is better than slathering it on. (see … Covering and Concealing Acne)
Look for makeup labeled ‘non-comedogenic’. Comedone is a generic term for the most common types of mild acne, including blackheads and whiteheads.
Don’t Try Every Over The Counter Concoction …
An over-the-counter antibacterial can help prevent acne, but is usually most helpful in treating acne after it has developed.
Over medicating with over-the-counter treatments can lead to clogged pores and damaged skin, which are exactly the conditions that promote acne.
Don’t use acne products or treatments that clog your pores. Keeping your pores open in order to allow for natural oil movement and shedding dead skin cells is key to minimizing acne outbreaks.
Do, consult a dermatolagist if you suffer from serious acne outbreaks. It really will help.
And Do develop a natural regular skin care routine that includes natural skin care products and treatments… Always remember ‘Less is More‘ where acne skin care is concerned.
