There are many reasons for the appearance of acne, pimples, blackheads, and other types of blemishes. These problems don’t just affect teenagers, either. While some causes are inevitable, there are a few things you can do to help prevent acne from occurring.
1. Don’t pick at your face – Although it’s tempting to squeeze at your face and every blemish you see, this will only cause it to get worse. Your hands are full of oils and bacteria that can enter your skin’s pores. Your fingernails and the pressure from your fingers can irritate your skin and lead to more infection and damaged tissue. When you see a pimple forming, leave it alone or use special products for it.
2. Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide – The combination of these two powerful treatments can really help your skin. When used on the site of a blemish, they can reduce its appearance over the next few days if applied early. Benzoyl Peroxide products come in different strengths, so discuss it with your doctor or dermatologist to see which percentage is right for your skin.
3. Women should NEVER sleep with makeup on – This is a large cause of acne and clogged pores. Your skin needs to breathe and repair itself overnight as you sleep. If there is still makeup and residue left on your skin, it will cause oils and impurities to get trapped in your pores and cause more blemishes and blackheads.
4. Use a clean washcloth – Some people don’t realize that they are clogging their pores by using their shower towel to dry their face. After you shower, your towel dries up left over soap, shampoo, and other bath products from your skin and hair. If you use this same towel on your face, all those chemicals and products will be left on your skin and inside of your pores. Always use a separate washcloth for your face than the one for your body.
5. Drink plenty of water – Keeping your skin hydrated is very important. By drinking plenty of water during the day, your skin will stay moist and not get too dry. This will help your pores stay hydrated and not allow dirt and oil to build up.
