Acne Care: Basic Skin Care Starts Here

There are some simple things you can do to regain control of your acne and achieve healthy clear glowing skin. An effective daily skin care regime combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise and quality acne products that suite your skin type can help clear acne rapidly and promote the healthiest skin possible.

Washing your face

Effective acne skin care starts by gently washing your face twice a day with a mild cleanser and warm water to remove the dirt and oil that accumulates on the surface of your skin. The best time to do this is in the evening before going to bed and once again in the morning. It is also important to wash your skin after doing heavy exercise to remove the build up of sweat and impurities.

•  Washing your face twice a day is sufficient. Over cleansing can easily cause your skin to become too dry and react by producing more sebum (oil) which could further aggravate your acne.

• Scrubbing your skin with a washcloth can make your acne worse by causing irritation. Be gentle on your face.

•  Don't use soaps or washes that contain sulphate's.

• Use a mild cleanser to wash your face. preferably one with a neutral ph and labeled "noncomedogenic" this means it won't cause clogged pores.

• Use your hands to gently work the cleanser onto your skin.

•  Rinse your face completely after cleansing, with plenty of cold water.

• Use a soft clean towel to dry your face. Pat it dry gently rather than scrubbing.

• Your face should be completely dry before applying any topical acne treatment products.

• Don't pick or squeeze your pimples because this causes the acne bacteria to move deeper into your skin which can cause more acne problems like scarring.

Applying a topical treatment

Exfoliation is the natural process of flaking away the outer skin cells in order to renew fresh skin layers. After cleansing your skin, use a mild exfoliating acne care product such as a 2% salicylic acid solution to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. Note that salicylic acid does not kill acne bacteria or have any effect on sebum (oil) production.

Benzoyl peroxide is an effective acne skin treatment and can be used if salicylic acid is not having any effect. A 5% solution of Benzoyl peroxide effectively kills acne bacteria as well as removing dead skin cells. Solutions stronger than 5% have been known to cause excessive dryness and flaking and may not be the best acne solution for some individuals. Smaller quantities should be used in the beginning of treatment and then gradually built up over a few weeks.

Tea tree oil is acknowledged as a natural skin care product. In concentrations of 5% has been shown to be as effective in killing acne bacteria as lotions containing five percent benzoyl peroxide and is one of the few natural oils that can be used for pimple treatment without causing irritation or dryness of the skin.

Moisturizing, an Important part of Acne care

A good quality moisturizer is essential component in your arsenal of acne skin care products. It will feed your skin, help to renew your skin cells and also help your skin retain moisture. Apply a moisturizer soon after washing while your skin is still absorbent. If you have oily skin you may need less moisturizer. Use natural oil free moisturizers labeled noncomedogenic (won't clog pores) wherever possible. If you have normal to dry skin use a good moisturizer with a sun block SPF of at least 15.

Shaving when you have acne

Shaving when you have pimples can be challenging at the best of times, even if you just have mild acne. You might want to try both electric shavers and safety razors to see which works best for you. If you are using a safety razor, make sure the blades are sharp. Thoroughly wet your face and use plenty of lather to soften the hair. Be careful to apply light pressure to the blade so to prevent nicks and cutting into the pimples

Choosing Makeup for Acne Prone Skin

For many people, wearing makeup is a useful way to conceal pimples and scars, but unfortunately the ingredients contained in most cosmetics can trigger or make your acne worse. One of the problems are that most cosmetics are oil based and so increase the amount of oil on your skin. Fragrances commonly found in many cosmetics which are derived from coal-tar are also known to act as acne triggers.

Choose Cosmetics that are:

• Oil free and do not lead to pore blocking

• Fragrance free.

• Non allergenic

Mineral makeup on the other hand is becoming a popular alternative for acne sufferers and has been recommended by some dermatologists. Mineral makeup is made from natural minerals. The benefits are that mineral based makeup is inorganic, contains no oils, scents or talc, does not clog pores, repels bacteria and is considered safe to apply over acne . If your not sure about which cosmetics are safe to use, consult a cosmetician or make-up specialist for expert advice.

More acne skin treatment Tips

When you're looking for the ultimate acne remedy, keep in mind that basic skin care starts with some healthy lifestyle habits that just about anybody can adopt into there daily routines. Quite often the best acne treatment can be simply a practical and intelligent change in the way you do things.

• Drink plenty of water. Water plays an important role in creating an optimum environment for your body and maintaining healthy glowing skin. Water helps maintain elasticity in the skin, filters the blood and helps clear acne by removing impurities from your body. Your skin can lose 1 liter of water per day and even more in dry weather. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day will help you look and feel better and is one of the most important important factors in preventing acne breakouts and having clear skin.

• Hygiene. Although acne is not caused by dirt, proper hygiene can help your skin remain clear and free of excess oils and dead skin cells that can lead to clogged skin. Shower after heavy exercise and outdoor activities. Change your clothes and bed ware at regular intervals. Over-washing on the other hand, can result in your skin becoming too dry and flaky which would cause your skin to compensate by producing more oils and so lead to further acne breakouts.

• Exercising regularly increases the blood flow to your skin and provides oxygen to the skin cells. Toxins, dead skin cells and dirt are expelled from the skin when you sweat. Exercising allows your kidney's, liver and bowel to function far more effectively in removing toxins from your body. Regular exercise also reduces your stress levels and helps your body to regulate its hormone levels.

• Sufficient sleep plays an important role adult acne treatment and in your skins overall health. During sleep your body and skin undergo vital regeneration. Good sleep helps to reduce stress and aids the body in regulating its hormone levels.

• Stress can worsen your acne by causing your hormones to become imbalanced and by slowing down your body's natural healing abilities. Taking the time to learn how to relax properly can significantly reduce your body's stress levels and diminish stress related acne breakouts.

• Protect your skin from harmful elements. Environmental toxins like smoke, pollution, oil and harsh detergents are easily absorbed by your skin and contribute to acne attacks.

• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Studies have shown that excessive exposure to sunlight may aggravate acne. Although sunlight can destroy acne bacteria and aid the healing of acne lesions, the ultraviolet rays also cause damage to the delicate epithelial cells that line the follicle walls. You can reduce the risks of skin damage by using a quality sun block and limiting your exposure to direct sunlight.

• A well balanced diet can help you get rid of pimples . Although there is no direct link between acne and diet, research has shown that a diet that has less processed foods, sugars and fat and more natural whole foods may help your body's ability to prevent and clear acne.

Although there is no actual cure for acne, this information may help you in your path to obtaining the clear skin you desire. If you believe your acne problem is getting worse, or for that matter if you have any general adult acne skin care concerns, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist or qualified doctor.