'Preventative Maintenance To Cut Down On Acne

What kinds of preventative maintenance can you use to cut down on your acne? Is it possible to do something about acne outbreaks on your own?

One of the first and most important measures to help prevent acne is to have a healthy lifestyle. Eat three good meals a day, get the proper rest at night, and drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day. Relax; don't let stress control you even if you do have a frantic and unpredictable lifestyle. NEVER, EVER, pick or squeeze a pimple or blackhead. When you do the skin always looks redder, feels bumpier, and draws more attention to the pimple you want to hide. The redness will go away faster if you just leave the bumps alone, no matter how hard that may be!

Second, make sure you are cleaning your face every day and for best results, twice a day. Use a mild cleaning bar or liquid such as Dove, Basis or Neutrogena that also minimize sensitivity and irritation. Use various mild scrubs or exfoliants that remove the outer layer of the skin and opens pores. The products that contain fine granules or salicylic acid make it a mild peeling agent.

Reducing oil is another important step in preventing outbreaks of acne. You can't stop your oil glands from forming oil but you can get rid of the excess oil on your skin. This will help in keeping the pores open and lessen the shine that often accompanies oily skin. A gentle astringent can wipe away excess oil and are easily found where cosmetics are sold.

Killing bacteria is the third part of the therapy to minimize or prevent outbreaks of acne. Antibacterial cleansers can be found in over-the-counter products. They usually contain benzoyl peroxide. Topical or external applications can be applied to the affected area to kill surface bacteria. You can find these in the form of gels, creams, and lotions.

When you sleep at night, be sure you are sleeping on a clean pillowslip that no one else has used. Pillowslips absorb oil during the night and acne can be irritated. If you have long hair, keep it pulled back during the night as the oil in your hair can also transfer to your pillowslip and to your skin.

When using moisturizers, use oil-free moisturizers that also contain an antibacterial agent. If you use make up, use oil-free foundation. A thick coat of make up can block the pores and cause acne to flare up.

Pharmacies now carry strips under various names that you can use on your forehead, nose or chin, or wherever you notice blackheads to pull out all that unpleasant material from your pores. Remember, this is oil and not dirt. They are inexpensive and while they aren't as effective as a professional pore cleaning, they are safe and effective.

Some other tips to help control your acne naturally are useful and has already been touched on in this article. Below you will find a list of 10 things you can start doing immediately and you should notice a difference in about four weeks.

Apply a honey mask once or twice a week. Honey is great for disinfecting and healing minor blemishes and takes it easy on sensitive skin.

Wash your face daily with soap designed to help fight acne. Don't scrub or use a rough cloth. Wash your face when you first get up in the morning and in the evening before you go to bed.

Keep your hair off your face.

Take a good multivitamin.

Take a chromium supplement once a day.

Eat carrots; they are rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin A. Both are essential in repair tissue of the skin and mucous membranes.

Avoid wearing make up, if you must use it, be sure it is water based.

Drink eight full glasses of water per day.

Don't pick or squeeze your pimples! This can't be said too often.

Wash your pillowslip every other day. Clean sheets and pillowslips prevent your skin from absorbing old dirt and oil.

These are just a few simple hints that can be started today to help control or keep your face acne free.