Six Ways To Clear Up Your Acne

Blemishes on your face can be embarrassing when you go out with friends, when at school or at work, or at play. Ace is a tough enemy to beat, but it is possible if you follow some important guidelines. Here are six ways to reduce this skin problem.

1. What's causing those breakouts ? Skin is either oily, dry, a combination of both, sensitive or susceptibe to acne. Is it anything you're eating or doing to yur skin that's the problem ? That may be hard to tell and a visit to a Dermatologist might be a good idea if your acne disorder is severe. Whether you visit your physician or not, you should realize that there are tons of products on the market to deal with acne.

Many people with blemishes tend to have oily skin, although combination and dry areas are not unusual. Try and select a cleanser that's specially formulated for this skin disorder as they will usually contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can help the skin regenerate itself faster. For bad cases of acne, try 10% benzoyl peroxide, and for mild to moderate cases, 5-10% is usually the recommended concentration.

Also, a good toner is important for keeping pores tight and unclogged. Either spray the toner directly onto the face, or apply with a cotton ball. For oily type skin, try a toner with three percent hydrogen peroxide, and for normal or dry skin, many people swear by the inexpensive witch hazel. Rubbing alcohol is mistakenly used for severe cases of oily skin as it actually dries out the skin far more than necessary, making the irritation and acne ultimately worse.

You can also use a moisturizer if your skin is dry. Choose either a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer, or one that's are oil-free so as not to aggravate acne and blemishes. Some of the better moisturizers also contain antibacterial agents to keep acne causing bacterium at bay.

When using makeup, choose an oil-free foundation and those that are designed for use with acne or sensitive skin. Any type of heavy makeup, including those for eye and cheek color, will clog pores and instigate an acne flare-up.

2. Drink plenty of water. Simply put, water is vital for our skin as well as for most other functions and components of the body. Without water, we wouldn't survive, and neither would our skin. Be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water each day to keep your skin and body well hydrated.

3. Guard Your Skin. All skin, but especially skin that's sensitive or that has acne, should be protected from the sun's harmful Ultraviolet rays. The sun does provide much needed vitamin D, however, 15 minutes or so a day early in the morning is all that's necessary for a healthy, daily dose.

By the way, a rather dangerous myth is that getting a sunburn will help clear up acne quickly as it causes the skin to peel and regenerate. While that part is true, this also speeds up the aging process and considerably increases the risks of skin cancer.

4. Take it easy on your skin. Rubbing or scrubbing your face may actually cause permanent scarring and exacerbate acne. Even skin without acne should be cleansed carefully to avoid damaging the delicate tissue. Remember to use your hands instead of some type of washcloth or facial cleansing pad to avoid rupturing or aggravating acne sores. When you are able to safely exfoliate, to gently remove dead cells, use a gentle scrub made from natural ingredients such as ground walnuts as opposed to products with potentially strong or harsh ingredients.

If you need to reduce the redness and inflammation that usually accompanies acne, try crushing an aspirin into a bit of lemon juice and then applying the mixture to the most affected areas of the face just before bedtime. Some folks use toothpaste, not gel, as a spot-treatment on acne blemishes, but this method may actually burn the skin doing more harm than good. Yet another home remedy that some swear by is taking a zinc vitamin tablet every day.

5. Reduce Anxiety and Stress. Stress and tension have more of an effect on the quality of our skin than we may realize, and for some, may directly contribute to breakouts or intensify acne. It's important to do whatever is necessary to relieve stress and find time for relaxation.

6. Take your time. It may take four to eight weeks to notice a difference when changing your current skin care regimen to an acne-friendly one. Most acne skin care products, whether prescription or over-the-counter strength, may take a month or two to show positive results. Don't give up too early.

If you pay attention to these kinds of things, you might just end up with clearer and healthier looking skin.