Treating Acne For Beautiful Skin

It's the scourge of adolescence that can sometimes last into adulthood. Acne, pimples, zits. Whatever you want to call it, it's ugly, gross, and sometimes difficult to treat. It doesn't have to be, however; once you find a regimen that works for you, your skin will clear up. It may take a few weeks, but with patience and diligence results will come. If your acne is resistant to treatment, it's recommended you seek the help of a dermatologist as soon as possible. They can prescribe creams such as Retin-A or Differin, antibiotics, or even birth control to bring your acne under control.

If you just have a few breakouts here and there, what should you do to create a regimen and avoid future breakouts? Follow this simple advice for clean, clear skin!

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Washing your face daily with a gentle, oil-free cleanser is the way to go. Washing twice or three times a day is even better. Don't choose a cleanser that's harsh or scrubby for daily use, though. Something gentle will do the trick without irritating your skin further.

Squeezing's a No-No

I'll be the first to admit that I have a hard time resisting the urge to squeeze, but it really is best. Squeezing zits can cause scarring and irritate the skin even more. Plus, touching those areas will only spread the bacteria that cause you to break out in the first place to other parts of your face. If a pimple is very bothersome, use an ice cube to bring the swelling under control and use a drying acne treatment to stop the oil from building up further.

Astringents? Also a No-No

Astringents can actually remove too much oil from the skin and cause it to produce even more oil. Stay away from such harsh treatments!

Remove Makeup

Remove all cosmetics before going to bed. If you sleep with makeup on, you'll only clog your pores even further. Also, if you do wear makeup, make sure it's oil-free (also written as non-comedogenic). You don't want to add oil to the skin when it's already oily enough!

Moisturize!

Though it might seem that moisturizers would only make things worse, they can actually help by keeping your skin healthy. Just be sure any lotion you use is oil-free!

Change Your Diet!

Yes, what you eat really can affect your skin. Cut down on greasy, fatty foods and boost your fiber intake. Your skin, as well as the rest of your body, will thank you for it.

Keeping the skin healthy and clean isn't easy. It requires diligence, meaning you've got to stick to your regimen of washing, applying moisturizers and/or acne treatment creams, and avoiding greasy foods every day. If your acne is still a problem after several weeks, it may be a good time to seek help from a dermatologist. Either way, acne is very treatable and if you treat it properly your skin will be clear and beautiful in no time!