For some people, acne is a sometimes issue that can go away on its own. But for others, it can be a difficult, ongoing struggle that never seems to end. But fear not! If you’re one of those who just can’t seem to get rid of their acne, read on. This article will cover five ways you can treat your acne like a pro.
1. Use Effective Medication
Not all acne medications are created equal. In fact, there are two main kinds that treat different causes of acne. The first are retinoids, which are topical creams, gels, and lotions. These work by boosting the production of new cells, which prevents clogged pores. The second class of acne medications are antibiotics, which can be used topically or taken orally as a pill. They kill off excess skin bacteria and may reduce inflammation and redness.
If you’ve been battling acne for a while, it’s worth rethinking your current acne treatment. Your skin changes as you age, so what worked once might not be as effective anymore. You may need to update your prescription accordingly. It might be a hassle at first, but it will be worth it if your skin begins to clear with a new treatment.
2. Clean Your Face
This may seem like a no-brainer, especially if you’ve been fighting acne for a while. But it’s worth restating the obvious in this case. Especially before and after going to bed, give your face a wash and apply medications and moisturizers as necessary. Excess dirt and oils can build up throughout the day and overnight, clogging your pores. It’s easy to let your initial diligence slip over time, so here’s a reminder.
Another obvious, but crucial, component to cleaning your face is keeping it clean. That means, as much as possible, resist the temptation to touch it. Popping pimples is a surefire way to build up scar-tissue on the sensitive skin on your face. And your hands pick up all kinds of dirt, grease, and oils throughout the day that can cause breakouts. Keep washing your hands for your general health, and resist touching your face as much as possible.
3. Become a Hydro Homie
Don’t wait — hydrate! In fact, go take a sip of water right now. No, seriously, do it. Dehydration is a common cause of prolonged acne breakouts all across your body. It can also lead to wrinkled, tight, dry, and mal-pigmented skin if your thirst remains unquenched. When dealing with chronic acne, it’s easy to overlook the simple solutions in favor of unique, fringe, or “secret” healing methods. The solution, however, might be as easy as drinking an extra glass of water every day.
If you struggle to keep hydrated, it’s important to set up your environment for success. That might mean littering your most commonly used spaces with filled glasses or bottles of water. Always keeping a full glass by your bed is a surefire way to remember to hydrate. Sleep is the time when people tend to lose the most water, as they have no intake for eight hours or so. Downing a glass of the crystal clear in the morning can also help energize you for the day ahead.
4. Use Skin-Sensitive Cosmetics
For the makeup enthusiasts out there, unfortunately your colorful facial accents might be your downfall. That’s because there are many products that include comedogenic ingredients. A comedogenic ingredient is essentially one that causes your pores to close. These form comedones, also referred to as blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed), and milia. Milia are the comedones that form deeper under your skin, giving your skin a bumpy appearance.
When you go shopping for some color to spice up your life, look for products labeled as non-comedogenic. If you have particularly oily skin, you might also purchase products labeled as oil-free. It may take days to a few weeks before you start seeing results. But this can help you identify if the cause of your acne is product-related.
5. Look to the Red Carpet
There’s one group of people that always have to look their best because tens of millions of eyes are always on them — celebrities. Yes, it’s true, celebrities are in fact human, and some of them even suffer from acne just like common folk. Gods of modern culture that they are, celebrities are able to afford some of the most expensive medical treatment available. However, even the most advanced treatments aren’t always necessary for residents of the limelight.
Natalie Portman and Victoria Beckham both treated their acne by changing their diets, but in different ways. Portman cut out all animal products and went totally vegan, where Beckham incorporated more salmon for the omega-3 fatty acids. Rihanna cut back on drinking, which can lead to dehydration. As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and finding yours is a journey worth taking.
You Can Do It
Your ongoing battle with acne may feel like a never-ending war. When you’ve been fighting for a long time, you may feel fatigue and like nothing’s working. But before you wave the white flag, give some of these treatment methods a shot. It’s worth going back to basics and looking to others for inspiration. Discipline your fundamentals, and you might even see results in just a few weeks.
