Acne is perhaps the most ordinary skin condition around the world. According to a study, about 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 25 are affected by acne and we all understand that healing your skin is not as easy as it sounds.
It is worth noting that conventional methods of treating acne which can include salicylic acid, niacinamide, or benzoyl peroxide are proven to be the most successful acne treatments. However, most of these treatments are costly and many have unpleasant side effects, like redness, dryness and irritation.
Because of these reasons, many people affected by acne try alternative treatments and sometimes look to cure it naturally at home. While many of these alternative treatments and home remedies are not backed by scientific research, physicians and dermatologists around the world believe some of these are still very effective.
Many different factors could play a part in the development of acne, including genetics, stress, infections, diet and hormone changes. While acne usually starts when the pores in your skin get clogged with dead skin cells and oil and dead skin cells, it is worth noting that some cases of acne are more severe than others.
The most common symptoms of acne include pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. There is no best way of getting rid of acne that suits everyone. Having said that, here are some effective tips and remedies that you can start following right now in order to reduce breakouts and keep your skin as clear as possible.
Maintain Skin Hygiene
This is the most common and helpful tip that can help just about everyone who’s dealing with acne. Daily cleansing is necessary in order to remove cosmetics, oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. You should cleanse your face at least twice every day.
You might also want to try using a natural oil face wash. A natural oil face wash that contains neem oil could prove to be helpful in dealing with acne-prone skin as it can remove bacteria that causes breakouts and clear up pimples.
Don’t forget to wash your face before you get in bed but also remember to be gentle on your skin. There’s no need to touch your face again and again or to scrub too hard. Harsh scrubs can cause irritation and redness. Make sure your hands are clean so you’re not transferring that dirt and oil right back onto your face.
You should also wash your hair regularly and try to keep them away from the face if possible. Remember to moisturize the skin with a moisturizer (try aloe vera) after you wash your face.
Avoid Heavy Makeup
A lot of people use makeup to cover up acne. However, makeup can clog pores and cause outbreaks. We understand it might not be easy to take out makeup from your daily routine. If you do apply makeup, choose fragrance-free products so that your skin doesn’t become more irritated. Remember to gently wash off all the makeup as soon as you can.
In addition to limiting makeup, be wary of any other products that could come in contact with your skin or any products you might be using near your face. It is also important to remember that trying different remedies all at once might not be such a good idea. Instead, it might just wreak havoc on your skin.
Too many products could cause irritation and when it comes to our skin, using more products could actually be harmful instead of helpful.
Don’t Squeeze or Pop
As tempting as it may be to pop pimples or squeeze those large whiteheads, DON’T. In fact, try not to touch at all. Squeezing and popping can cause bleeding, infections and scarring. It could also cause inflammation and clog nearby skin pores, making your acne problem worse.
If you find it difficult to control yourself, sprinkle a sulfur treatment on problem areas every night and morning. It should help bring down the swelling.
Healthy Diet
Certain foods can trigger acne and your overall diet can play an important part. Some of the most common culprits that can cause acne are dairy products, processed foods, alcohol, and refined sugars. Removing or reducing these from your diet might help ease your breakouts and eventually lead you to a clearer skin.
Try to avoid junk food and dairy products, especially skimmed milk which can increase a person’s risk of developing acne. However, remember we’re not asking you to starve yourself, you should still consume a healthy amount of calories and nutrients every day.
We would suggest that you drink lots of water and add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet for hydrated and glowing skin.
Healthy Lifestyle
While stress is not one of the main causes of acne, it can make things go from bad to worse. Studies show that our bodies produce more oil-stimulating hormones when we’re stressed.
Manage stress at home by meditation, yoga and a healthy lifestyle. Acne could be annoying. Or if things take a turn for the worst, acne might cause permanent scarring, severe anxiety or depression.
While prevention efforts can help make things better for you, it is important to remember that whatever remedy or prevention plan you decide to go with, patience and consistency are important. It could take several weeks of treating acne before you see results.