Acne can be hard to get rid of but here are six quick tips for clearer skin.

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples, and usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.

Having to deal with active acne can stressful, and it can affect self-confidence as well. So to try and help we’ve pulled together a few to improve the appearance of acne and help prevent future outbreaks.

Get the right Acne Treatment

Luckily, as acne is very common, there are a lot of treatments available. If you are concerned about scarring or pigmentation, see your doctor as you may need prescription treatments to help clear your skin. (You can find doctors and dermatologists here)

Certain treatments may also help. A chemical peel or a medical grade facial are a couple that can make a difference. Chemical peels help to remove unhealthy dead skin cells gently from the outer layer of the skin and unclogs pores, preventing blackheads and lesions from worsening. Monthly facials are also a great option as it will assist with gently removing impurities in the skin and help prevent new outbreaks.

If your acne is severe, you can also consider a laser treatment which can help resurface the skin making it much appear much clearer. Laser treatments can also be useful for some types of acne related scars. It is important to see a qualified practitioner and to ensure that the type of laser used is suitable for your skin type.

Don’t forget to Moisturise

To ensure you don’t undo any treatment you’ve had done, you should try to make sure you moisturise daily. Often the treatments and skin products have ingredients in which dry your skin out. So it’s important to keep your skin hydrated.

Products you choose should ideally be oil free and those that contain ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide and certain anti-inflammatory ingredients like EGCG (an extract of green tea) can help in fighting bacteria, repairing the skin barrier and soothing red and angry looking skin.

Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate skin products for you after your treatment.

Invest in Acne-Friendly Makeup

Everyone’s skin is different, and we respond to facial products differently. So if you’re looking to change your makeup, you’ll need to start looking for makeup which has the term non-comedogenic on the label. This type of makeup is designed to specifically not clog your pores as clogged pores are often the start of the breakout sessions.

Another major NO-NO is going to bed without removing your make up. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Keeping your foundation on your face while you sleep will not only hinder your skins natural regenerative process in shedding dead skin cells, it will also clog your pores even more and ensure that all the bacteria and dirt that went into your pores during the day stays covered inside — a sure-fire way to get an outbreak.

Oxygenetix has a range of foundations that are specifically formulated for acne. They ‘breathe’ so the skin can heal and they contain salicylic acid to help fight the bacteria all day long.

Hands Off Infected Areas

For most people, acne occurs on the face although it may also affect the neck and back. It’s important not to touch and pick as this irritate and spread the infection. Your hand carry germs so it’s important to keep them clean, but they aren’t the only source of bacteria that can cause out breaks – make sure you change your sheets and pillowcases regularly, wash your make up brushes and clean the screen of your mobile phone.

 Stay Out of the Sun

May people say their skin improves in the sun but this can be a double edged sword. Too much exposure may result in a breakout if your skin isn’t prepared properly.

Your skin needs to be well hydrated with an appropriate moisturiser and protected with a good non-comedogenic sunscreen that you apply regularly. And, it’s vital that at the end of the day you wash the sunblock off. Not washing your face can clog up your pores.

Exfoliate

This is a tricky one. Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. When you neglect to exfoliate the dead skin cells pile up, trapping the bacteria and dirt inside your pores and then as a result you end up with an acne breakout.

But, be careful of over-exfoliation. When you’re overdoing it, you’re also getting rid of all those healthy skin cells, which protect your skin’s natural barrier.

Avoid alcohol wipes and harsh scrubs as these can damage the skin barrier. A mild scrub once or twice a week is enough. A better option is to get a good exfoliating cleanser with a salicylic or glycolic acid to help clear the pores and fight bacteria.

These are just six ways in which you can reduce your active acne. Always consult a qualified medical practitioner if you are concerned about your skin or struggling to find the best treatment options.

This article is courtesy of www.globeauty.co.za a provider of acne treatments in South Africa.