It’s Saturday night and you’re getting ready to go out. There’s just one problem: you’re dealing with yet another acne breakout. Don’t panic! Stress will only make acne worse, anyway. While there isn’t much you can do other than cover up with makeup in the moment, you can start taking preventative steps to ward off future breakouts, keeping your confidence up and your acne at bay. If you’re struggling with moderate to severe acne, here are some helpful tips on how you can finally get the clear skin you have always wanted.
Wash Your Face Daily
The first thing to introduce into your daily skincare regime is washing your face twice daily—once in the morning and once at night. Invest in multipacks of washcloths that you can use once and then throw in the hamper. Don’t try to re-use them; washcloths can easily harbor germs even after a single use. Make sure you use a fresh washcloth every time you wash your face, otherwise apply your cleanser with your freshly washed hands.
Find the Right Products for Your Skin Type
There are a seemingly endless number of face wash products on the market that it can be hard to know which ones to trust. The best thing to do is find a product which uses the most natural ingredients possible and doesn’t irritate your skin. If you have severe acne, a generic face wash isn’t going to do you much good. Because cystic acne occurs far beneath the skin, it takes a powerful face wash to penetrate deep enough and prevent further breakouts. Grab a product containing powerful exfoliants and acne-fighting medicine that can reach far into pores to break up dirt and grime.
Exercise
As long as you’re careful about thoroughly cleaning your skin after each time you go to the gym or exercise at home, working out can be incredibly beneficial for your complexion. Your body fights acne by carrying away dead skin cells and bacteria through the bloodstream, and exercises increases your circulation by kicking up your heart rate. Not only will your body look and feel better but you could see a significant reduction in blemishes as well.
Diet
Have you ever heard the expression, “you are what you eat”? It’s especially true when it comes to acne and blemishes. The foods you eat can have a major impact on the health of your skin. If you can’t seem to kick that severe acne out of your system, it might be time to swap out those Lays for kale chips. Leafy green vegetables, oily fishes, nuts, seeds, and fruits high in vitamin C or antioxidants are going to give your body the tools it needs to keep your skin as healthy as possible. Avoid foods with a high sugar content and transfat. Dairy has been commonly linked to acne because it tends to have a large amount of hormonal additives.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there has been a positive association between the prevalence of acne and the intake of total, whole, low-fat, and skim milk, so try to keep this consumption to a minimum.
Manage Stress
Managing your stress levels is a lot easier said than done. Not everyone can remain calm, cool and collected during a stressful situation or time in their life. Stress can activate your hormones and incite an adrenaline-filled “flight or fight” reaction. As a result, you can suffer from an increase in hormones which lead to breakouts. Take an hour out of your day to meditate or try that yoga class out. Exercise can be your ally when it comes to managing your stress levels, as well, providing a 3-in-1 benefit for your health, skin and peace of mind.
Sleep
A good night’s rest is a crucial element to maintaining a healthy immune system and general wellbeing. Sleep is also the time in which your body uses to repair itself, including regenerating skin cells and increasing blood flow to facial tissues. If you’re like most American adults, you probably aren’t getting enough rest every night. It might be time to ease up on your caffeine and sugar intake so you aren’t feeling as alert well into the evening. If you don’t want to rely on sleeping pills to get to bed every night, here are some natural alternatives:
- Melatonin
- Belladonna
- Chamomile
- Valerian root
Of course, none of these remedies are going to instantly fix your sleep issues; they can only assist in the relief of insomnia or difficulty falling asleep.
Acne doesn’t have to be a lifelong problem.With the right remedies and a little discipline, you could have clearer skin in a matter of weeks!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
