Acne Fighting Lifestyle Changes
What can I do about
my acne?
No one likes pimples. We go to great lengths to avoid them,
not necessarily because they’re painful, but because they’re ugly. We try to
control them by scrubbing our faces with cleansers, applying warm and cool
compresses, toothpaste, and an assortment of acne products. We squeeze them,
cover them up with make-up, part our hair on the wrong side to cover them, and
shield them with our hands. On a particularly bad skin day, some of us might
even wish we could stay in bed and hide.
The truth is, acne is very common. According to the American
Academy of Dermatology, about 40 to 50 million Americans have acne at any one
time. And, it’s not just for teenagers.
Acne can begin when pores are clogged by oil or dirt. Acne breakouts
are also related to hormonal fluctuations. For some women, oral contraceptives
can help reduce acne. Other acne sufferers try every product imaginable and,
eventually, consult a dermatologist. There are, however, several complexion
spoilers in most of our daily routines that can be managed or eliminated for
clearer skin. Consider making these acne fighting lifestyle changes:
Establish a skin
routine. Your skin’s your biggest organ; you wouldn’t scrub your heart with
harsh products, and your skin deserves the same sort of delicate treatment.
Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Any more and you’ll dry it
out, which can actually increase oil production. You can treat breakouts with
an over-the-counter acne remedy, but use it sparingly as it might further
irritate skin. Be sure to use an oil-free moisturizer after cleansing.
Read labels. Make
sure that your moisturizers, sunscreens, and make-up are oil-free and
non-comedogenic. It’s best to avoid make-up completely, but if you feel you must,
be sure to read all the ingredients. Consider keeping a skin diary when
experimenting with new products: write down how it looks and feels when you put
it on, a few hours later, and at the end of the day. Make note of any increase
or decrease in blemishes. If you see a pimple pattern, discontinue use. You
don’t want the make-up you use to hide
your break-outs to actually make them worse.
Try hair products
that aren’t oil-based. What goes on your hair gets in your face, be it
shampoos and conditioners that wash over your face as you rinse your hair in
the shower, the anti-frizz oil you use to tame unruly curls, or the pomade you
use to keep hair in place. Eliminating exposure to these products will help
prevent your pores from clogging, especially around your hairline and forehead.
Hit the gym.
Exercise reduces stress levels and helps regulate hormones. It also gives you a
make-up free glow. Just be sure to shower afterward so the oily sweat produced
from all those reps doesn’t clog your pores.
Avoid processed or
sugary foods. Foods that are processed tend to break down into sugar
quickly, causing spikes in insulin levels. These spikes can lead to increased
oil production, clogged pores, and unsightly acne.
Practice safe sun.
The sun’s UVA and UVB rays irritate acne-prone skin. Try to stay in the shade
when the sun is highest, between 10:00am and 4:00pm. If you are in the sun,
wear a hat that breathes, and oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen with SPF 30.
Don’t sweat the small
stuff. Remember that you’re much more aware of your skin issues than your
peers. Everyone gets blemishes: give yourself a pep talk: you’re making
positive, acne fighting lifestyle changes. Then, move on with your day.
Visit @ http://www.verduracare.com
Visit @ http://www.verduracare.com
