It is not strange to encounter severe acne problems. More than 80% of the population has it. People not having acne problems are even rarer. The problem with acne is that they affect the confidence and self-esteem of the person. It changes the way that people look, as well as the way they see themselves. This lack of confidence and self-esteem has a huge impact on a person’s ability to thrive whether in school or work.
A lot of people may want to try skin-care routines and regimens that they see on social media. They follow influencers and try out the products that they endorsed. This is the worst thing that you can do. What you need to do is reach out to a dermatologist and try to find the cause of your acne problems. Once your doctor detected the reason behind your skin problems, then they can recommend especially formulated skin-care products for your concerns. They will even talk to you about undergoing a laser resurfacing procedure to treat certain areas of your skin that skin-care products can no longer address.
But while you’re waiting for the hopefully good results of that visit to a doctor, you have to heed some tips to keep your skin clear of acne. Instead of following celebrities and social media influencers who mostly endorse products without realizing how harmful they can be to other skin types, read the blogs written by trusted dermatologists. They will tell you how to take care of your skin and find the right products for it.
Keep Your Skin Clean and Be Gentle
What is your skin-care routine? It’s important to have one and to have the gentlest routine ever. This is key to getting your skin to its top shape, as well as to prevent acne problems from getting worse. Consider washing your face twice a day, using mild soap and water, not scrubbing your face, and removing excess sweat and makeup before bed.
Stay Indoors When the Sun Is High
Early morning sunlight is good for the skin. Once the sun reaches the high temperature at noon and early afternoon, the lights can be harmful to your skin. Some acne-prone skin also reacts to sun exposure so make sure you’re staying indoors during the daytime. Also, talk to your doctor about your acne medication. If it will make your skin more susceptible to harmful rays, then consider exchanging it for another (unless it is already effective on your skin).
Some precautions you can take are to read about the acne medication you are taking, keep yourself indoors when the sun is high, wear a brimmed hat when you’re outside or take an umbrella with you, and never forget to apply sunscreen. For normal skin types, these measures will protect them from the sun. For acne-prone skin, these are lifesavers.
Read the Labels Carefully
There is nothing wrong with trying over-the-counter acne medications, but you have to read the labels and understand the ingredients. The most helpful formulation of an anti-acne product is a combination of benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur. But remember that before applying it directly on your face, have a patch test on the inside of your wrist. After a few days, if no allergy breakout was observed, you can use the product on your face.
Be Realistic with Your Expectations
Skin-care products will not have results until about three to eight weeks of regular application. Your doctor will tell you that. Even the manufacturers of these products will tell you that. There is no miracle when it comes to taking care of your skin well. It’s not going to be an overnight thing.
Use Cold and Heat to Reduce Discomfort
At times, that areas of your skin with acne can be discomforting. To make the pain less severe, use ice to reduce the swelling and heat to release the pus from new whiteheads. Do this before you sleep, so you can rest better. Remember that sleeping well is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the chances of getting acne.
There is hope for your acne-prone skin. Work with your doctor to find the right routine and products for it. Once you find the one that works for you, stick with it and try not to get tempted to try other products that you see on the internet. Your skin is unique to you. There is no one product in the world that can treat all types of skin problems. You are lucky to find a product and routine that work for you, so commit to them.
