Anyone who has struggled with acne knows how difficult it can be to repair your skin. Even while you strive to relieve existing pimples, you may also take efforts to prevent new ones from emerging, interrupting a seemingly never-ending breakout cycle.
While there is no foolproof technique to get rid of acne forever, you can prevent outbreaks and maintain your skin as healthy as possible.
Here are some strategies for preventing acne and achieving clearer skin.
Wash your face properly
Although they can develop elsewhere on the skin, pimples on the face are more common. Despite the complexity of the skin microbiome, Propionibacterium acnes is a bacterium that has been linked to acne outbreaks. When this bacteria converts sebum, the skin’s natural oil, into fatty acids, it produces irritation.
Getting rid of extra oil, debris, and sweat on a daily basis might help prevent acne, but over-washing your face can exacerbate acne.
According to board-certified dermatologist Anar Mikailove, MD, “When we strip our skin of its natural sebum with excessive washing, it actually causes the skin to produce even more oil to rebalance your skin.” Thus, using cleansers or astringents that dry up the skin excessively or washing your face too much can also exacerbate acne.
You should only wash your face twice a day as a general rule.
Mikailove advises choosing cleansers that are soft enough to be used twice day, free of fragrance, and without sulfates. Leave the rough physical scrubbing and foamy, drying cleaners alone.
Moisturize your skin
For skin that is prone to acne, moisturizers make a significant difference in keeping the skin hydrated. Your skin will create oil (sebum) to counteract the dryness if it becomes too dry. And as was already mentioned, acne can be brought on by an overabundance of sebum.
However, a lot of moisturizers include oils, artificial fragrances, or other substances that might irritate your skin and result in breakouts. Before buying a moisturizer, make sure to examine the ingredient list to confirm that it is fragrance-free and noncomedogenic.
Stay hydrated
Your body may tell your skin’s oil glands to generate extra oil if you’re dehydrated. Additionally, dehydration makes your skin appear lackluster and encourages irritation and discolouration.
Make an effort to consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day to keep your body well hydrated.
Drink more:
- after exercise
- when pregnant or nursing
- when you are in a hot, humid climate
Limit makeup
While you may be compelled to use makeup to conceal acne, you should be aware that doing so can clog pores and cause outbreaks.
If you do not wish to eliminate makeup from your daily regimen, choose a foundation or concealer that is noncomedogenic and fragrance-free to avoid aggravating your skin.
Be sure to carefully remove all makeup at the end of the day, and particularly before bed.
Along with keeping makeup to a minimum, it never hurts to be cautious while using any other items close to your face, especially hair styling tools.
You might want to think about oil-free, noncomedogenic options for hair spray, dry shampoo, and texturizing treatments since they can come into touch with your skin and lead to breakouts.
Limit sun exposure
Getting some sun may temporarily dry out acne, but it may have long-term negative effects on the skin. Regular sun exposure dries out the skin, which eventually leads to increased oil production and pore blockage.
All year long, wearing sunscreen can help to protect your skin. Of course, as you may already be aware, sunscreens frequently include a lot of oil. Consider using a noncomedogenic, oil-free sunscreen to defend against the sun and pimples.
Avoid touching your face
When you touch your face, bacteria and pore-clogging pollutants can be transferred to your skin.
It can be difficult to refrain from caressing your face, but try to be aware of how frequently you do it and attempt to stop yourself as much as you can.
Moreover useful? routinely washing your hands. In this manner, your hands will be clean if you do touch your face, which, to be honest, you probably will.
Avoid some foods
Diet may affect acne.
Some of the most common causes of skin problems such as acne are:
- Processed foods
- Dairy products
- Alcohol
- Refined sugars
Reduce your intake of these items or follow an anti-acne diet to aid with outbreaks. If reducing your acne doesn’t appear to help, you can attempt an elimination diet to pinpoint the source.
An elimination diet often consists of abstaining from gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, fast food, and alcohol for 23 days. This may appear to be a bit excessive, but after 23 days, you can begin reintroducing these foods into your diet one at a time, noting any changes in your skin. This can assist you in identifying any meals that cause acne for you.
Important: Before starting any new diet, consult with a dietitian to ensure you’re still getting the correct number of calories and nutrients for your body’s needs.
Try stress-relieving activities
Stress does not cause pimples, but it might aggravate them. When you’re anxious, your body creates more oil-stimulating hormones, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
Some options for stress management include:
- yoga
- meditation
- massage
- exercise