Acne Skin Care

Acne irritated skin needs special attention that begins with treating it gently. Harsh scrubs, detergents and rough washing will only serve to aggravate an outbreak and may lead to an overall worsening of an existing condition. In addition, popping pimples can spread bacteria and increase the severity of inflammation and should be avoided.

Acne sufferers should use a gentle soap and limit washing to twice a day. A good way to pick soaps and any other skin care product is to only use products that are noncomedogeic (won’t clog pores). Sebum which is produced in the sebaceous glands accumulates in the pilosebaceous follicle, when this happens bacteria multiples leading to inflammation. Adding oily products to the mix is a bad idea. Use creams, lotions and sunscreens that contain reduced amounts of added oils or none at all.

Hair and hair products may also contribute to an acne breakout. Clean hair pulled away from the face will help reduce accumulations of dirt and oil. Conditioners may leave residual buildup on the skin as well. Sweat can irritate sensitive skin and so can sweat bands that keep moisture on the skin.

Excessive amounts of sun and tanning beds take a toll on skin and a regiment of acne skin care would include avoiding both. Not only does exposure to sun and tanning booth aggravate acne, they increase the likelihood of melanoma.

When combating acne, judicious use of medications both topical and oral is also important. Overuse of these medications may actually do more harm than good. It’s also important to be patient. Treatments may last 6-8 weeks or longer in severe cases. Acne skin care is a combination of prevention and treatment and with time and patience should yield positive results. If acne doesn’t improve a dermatologist may be able to provide more skin care options.