Life Hacks To Help Get Rid Of Acne Once And For All
Acne might not be the worst thing in the world, but it sure can feel like it, particularly when it strikes on the most obvious parts of the face. It is an embarrassing condition that almost always seems to pop up at the worst possible time. Instead of finding new ways to cover up acne, however, which can often make it worse or further irritate the skin, individuals should focus on learning how to get rid of it forever.
Go Easy On Makeup
It can be natural to want to cover up embarrassing acne, but many makeup products only contribute to outbreaks. Allowing the skin to breathe makes it healthier all around and reduces the risk of acne. Avoid layering powder as this technique clogs pores where dirt and oil become trapped. If makeup is a must, lightly apply one layer of oil-free makeup and be sure to wash it off at night before going to bed. Never sleep with makeup on. It may also be beneficial to look at hypoallergenic brands of makeup, which are typically less clogging and better for the kind than many other varieties.
Customize Skincare Products
Individuals looking to keep their skin healthy and eliminate acne should be using skincare products that match their skin type if they want to get the benefits out of it. For example, if an individual has oily skin and they use an oil-based face wash, it may cause more acne. Even those with dry skin can get acne! Thus, individuals should figure out what kind of skin they have and identify their pain points, including acne, before looking at their options at the store to determine what products are intended for their skin type, and those that will combat their issues. It might take several products before finding the right one, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Tie Up Long Hair
Keeping hair out of the face is an important part of getting rid of acne. This is especially important during the hot summer months, or while working out as grease, bacteria, oil, and sweat may accumulate in the hair. Individuals who have long hair should tie it up to keep it out of their face and off their neck and back when they are trying to get rid of acne. Doing so with help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria responsible for issues such as acne. When individuals do not tie up their hair, it is important to pay extra attention to washing the parts of their body their hair will typically rest on to ensure it does get clean.
Moisturize
Individuals with oily skin are not the only ones prone to developing acne; Dry skin may also lead to breakouts. Moisturizing can be tricky as too much oil or grease may cause pores to become clogged, but maintaining proper levels of moisture in the skin is also important. Many acne products tend to dry out the skin. Therefore, it is important to find a lightweight moisturizer that will not cake up on the skin causing further outbreaks. There are also moisturizers designed for oily skin out there. Everyone needs to moisturize their skin appropriately to reduce the severity of acne breakouts.
Keep Makeup Brushes Clean
As mentioned previously, one of the best ways to get rid of acne is to go makeup-free for several weeks to allow the skin to breathe. If makeup is a must, individuals must be sure to keep brushes clean. Some go weeks or even years without replacing their brushes. But just imagine how much bacteria has accumulated on those brushes and is applied directly to the skin! Individuals should make it a point of cleaning their makeup brushes and other tools at least once a week with soap and water or a special solution. While there isn't an exact time for brushes to be replaced, it is crucial to do so regularly, as even good washing habits will not work forever.
Sanitize Cell Phones
Sanitizing cell phones and anything that regularly touches the face is an important part of keeping acne away. Think about how many germs a mobile phone contains. Phones are constantly being handled and set down on many different types of surfaces, including restaurant tables, bathroom counters, desks, and counters in retail stores. Individuals often also let others handle their phones, and who knows if they wash their hands regularly or not! Phones often accumulate bacteria that are easily transferred to the face. Individuals should keep antibacterial wipes handy and wipe down their phone before talking on it. They should also be sure to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their face too much.
Wash Pillowcases
Along with washing hands and sanitizing phones, individuals should be sure to keep pillowcases and sheets clean as these may also transfer bacteria to the body. Bacteria are redeployed from the skin to pillowcases and sheets every night at bedtime. While it helps to wash one's face at night before going to bed, the bacteria from previous nights are still on the pillowcase. Those who deal with acne continuously should be sure to wash their pillowcases and sheets at least once a week, often more than that for the cases to be on the safe side.
Use Products That Don't Clog Pores
Look for skincare products that are non-comedogenic, which is the term used to mean they will not clog pores. Clogged pores are a common cause of acne outbreaks. Oil-free products are also available to make sure pores remain unclogged. Oil quickly gets trapped in the pores and causes an acne breakout, which is why individuals with oily skin are more prone to acne. It is often worth it to switch out any skincare products with added oils or those without the label 'non-comedogenic' to keep skin blemish-free all year round.
Shower After Working Out
Hitting the shower after working out is a good way to prevent sweat, oil, and bacteria from accumulating in the pores where they can become clogged and cause an acne outbreak. Individuals who are unable to shower immediately following a workout where they sweat a lot should at least wash their face. They can carry a face wash and hand towel in their gym bag for this, or even take an easier route with some cleansing face wipes. They should, however, never use harsh anti-bacterial hand wipes on the face, as this may cause the skin to dry out.
Avoid Touching Your Face
Our hands are covered in germs and oils. When we touch our face, we're transferring all of these germs and oils onto it. These germs and oils will clog pores and exacerbate any present skin conditions (such as eczema). If you already have acne problems, you have to avoid touching your face and picking at pimples, as this will also only make the problem worse. Individuals who have been picking their face will first need to become aware of this habit before they can break it. Thus, it's important to be mindful when these actions typically happen and employ distraction techniques instead, such as a fidget-spinner, reading a book, or any other activity to keep the hands busy.
Reduce Stress
Multiple studies have shown stress can cause breakouts, so it's important to reduce stress to manage acne. Unfortunately, we live in a world with a lot of stress from the moment we wake up until we go to bed. How can we reduce it?
There are a number of stress-relief methods out there anyone can try. Many individuals have found success with yoga and meditation, which not only help the mind but also strengthen the body as well. Some individuals prefer to just take time for themselves once a week, whether it be a book club or a night out with friends. In some situations, individuals might want to go to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Talking through stress may relieve the weight. If appropriate, the doctor might prescribe anti-anxiety medication.
Talk To A Doctor Or Dermatologist
The most logical thing for individuals with serious or chronic acne problems to do is talk to a doctor or dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the skin. They have a medical degree, and they spend every day helping patients with similar problems. This is best for individuals with a severe problem that hasn't shown any progress with other solutions. The doctor can perform procedures or prescribe strong medication. High-strength medication isn't necessarily going to resolve the problem immediately, so anyone who undergoes this route needs to be patient. They will also want to be careful to follow the instructions perfectly to avoid potential side effects, including worsening the issue or causing other problems, such as severely dry skin.
Wash Your Face Twice A Day
Let's be honest, most individuals probably don't wash their face twice a day like they should. Everyone should wash their fash once in the morning and once in the evening before going to bed. Doing this gets all of the dirt, dead skin cells, makeup, and extra oils off of the skin, thus preventing them from clogging pores and causing pimples. When dealing with acne breakouts, it can help to choose cleansers and other products designed to get rid of acne. Those who wear makeup, as mentioned earlier, will need to make sure it's washed off completely before applying acne treatment products. There are great makeup removers for this, and they should be a part of an individual's nightly skin cleansing session on days they wore makeup.
Try Applying Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, indigenous to Australia. It's one hundred percent natural, and its primary use for the skin is to cure acne. Acne develops best in certain environments. Since tea tree oil stops the skin from being the perfect environment for acne, it doesn't develop nearly as often (or at all). Tea tree oil is particularly effective in regards to Propionibacterium acne, and it can also help reduce acne scars. Individuals should try mixing a couple of drops of tea tree oil in water and applying it to their face once a day. More than this can increase the risk of dry skin, but it is possible to do it more than once a day. Moisturizer simply becomes even more important in situations like this!