Acne is a skin problem that happens to and has left nearly everyone who suffers from the same with the big question. How do I take care of acne prone skin? This is a question that does not have just a straight answer because if it has then we would have fewer peoples suffering from this disorder. Depending on when experiencing Acne, whether it was on your early teen or late in your adults. The true fact is that breakout not only happens to teenagers but also to most adults. Having said that to answer this big question, yes there are ways on how to take care of Acne skin prone, and the only way to win this war is by following some of these tips.

Cleansing

Of course, the first step that you will be advised by an expert in skin care is to deeply cleanse your oily skin. It is a very good strategy if you know what you are doing. One should be aware that regardless of the fact that cleansing is a very good step it should not be done using harsh cleanser as they can very easily get rid of the protective barriers on our skin leaving them very vulnerable to some common bacteria. Just the normal soap has higher PH when you compare them your skin and that is why the soap can make the skin so dry and make the oil production on the skin to be too much which is something that is not good to the skin. It is advisable that you balance it with face wash and use products that are specially formulated for acne. They contain salicylic acid which is so helpful in clearing the acne sores, also make sure to check the instruction very careful before applying them to your skin.

Clean your face Gently

When you scrub your skin it is not only the perfect way to clean but also very good to purify it. However, this is not the case when you are in the process of acne prone skin care as anything close to exfoliation is too much. It is important to use your fingertips to massage the skin very gently as this will avoid abrasive ingredients at the same time. When you clean your face in a gentle manner you will avoid the chance of the trauma to the acne breakout. You should also avoid scrubbing with any other material it may end up causing acne sore to rapture.

Do not dry your skin too much

There are so many products that are available in the market meant to take care of the super drying skin, which is a good idea but be advised that they will also cause additional oil which you know by now is not good for the skin. It is very important as a remedy to acne prone skin care to always check instructions of the products very careful so as not to end up with something that does more harm than good to you. A product that has alcohol should not be used as moisturizers and at the same time you are advised to use the moisturizer immediately after showering as this will optimize absorption. Another important tip is to get oil free products that hydrate well.

Concentrate on Salicylic Acid

As earlier mentioned salicylic is actually a very good thing when you are working on acne skin prone care and it is very natural at the same time this is because it has originated for a bark of a plant. It has been proven to one of the most effective ant acne ingredient in the world at the moment. How does it work? Salicylic acid work by getting rid of the acne this is achieved by ensuring that the skin cell does not clog the skin pore which will eventually lead to a blackout. Do not confuse it with benzoyl peroxide because the work of Salicylic acid does not kill the bacteria and at the same time, it does not suck moisture on an individual’s skin.

Tidiness

Tidiness here is the way we handle our makeup brushes. You will realize that the makeup tools most of the time is a hideout for dirt and bacteria. That is why we should always ensure that our makeup tools are not only clean but also kept very well. the tools like makeup brushes and puffs that are commonly used for loose powder should be washed every twice a week and if possible sponger weekly. The best way to wash the brushes is by making a cleaning solution through the use of a few drops of shampoo and warm water. The brushes should be swished in the solution and then rinsed thoroughly as for the puffs and sponges a drop of facial cleaner should do the trick. Rub with temperature water and air dry them.

Use the right Makeup

This is not going to be so easy since there are several makeups out there to choose from, but when your skin is behaving in an awkward manner the most usual and quick fix is using the foundation. The ideal way to go about this should be the use of mineral-based cosmetics. If you check instructions carefully you will realize that the aforementioned cosmetics contains ingredient such as silica and zinc oxide which are very good as they soak up excess oil on the skin without clogging the pores and that is what foundations do, that is why they are also the best when you have problems with a pimple prone skin. The secret her is to avoid clogging the pores at any cost

Haircare

When you have long hair that at some point cover your forehead or part of your head you should check on the shampoo and the conditioners that you have been using. The reason behind this is that these products might be having some aggravating ingredients that are mostly artificial preservatives which will always be harmful to your skin. The solution is to try and avoid shampoo and conditioner that have these preservatives by changing them with products that do not have fragrance.

Tampering with your face

The last thing that acne-prone skin need is a wandering hand, that is most of the time all over your face. In many occasion, we carry germs and bacteria with our hand when tackling some of the daily chores knowingly or unknowingly. That is why it is not appropriate to pick your pimples and squeezing them most of the time. When you have the habit of squeezing the skin it not only aggravates the breakout but also it causes a lot of irritation and has a very high chance of scarring.

Avoid Dairy product

I know this might come as surprise to many individuals but it is actually very true. though it is yet to be proven as to whether there is a connection between dairy products and acne it is advisable that you limit or stay away from them if your skin is acne prone. This is because many skin care experts that milk is related to testosterone hormones which are known to stimulate the oil glands which in the process helps the growth of acne. If it is nearly impossible for you to cut on the dairy product try switching them with the goat and meat as they are said to have less negative effects compared to the dairy products.

Use of toners

The use of toners and astringents is very crucial especially after you g=have done cleansing. The reason as to why it is advisable to tone your skin is because it will leave the skin feeling fresh. As for astringent their main goal is to ensure that the extra oil is removed from the skin as we know very well that the oil is not good for the skin. Some toners have been known to contains Salicylic acid which as indicated above plays a very big role in taking care of acne prone skin. It is important to realize that it is not necessary to use the toners or astringent especially when your skin is very sensitive. The product will end up doing so much harm than good when they are used in the case of a very sensitive and dry skin that is also very irritated from acne treatment.

 

The above-mentioned tips should be the best way to take care of a skin that is prone to acne without any doubt. One thing that one must realize before embarking on this whole process is that a good daily routine of taking care of the sin is very vital not only for everyone but more so for individuals who are prone to acne. That is why they should ensure that they follow some of this guideline to the later and use that they use products that will not harm them rather than helping. The whole process of taking acne of the skin on a daily basis should not take too much of your time and you should make sure that it is an enjoyable experience and that is how you will end up beating it.

There are three types of skin which are normal, dry and oily skin. Oily skin is the kind of skin whereby the person’s face feels greasy, even after washing the face and it also tends to look shiny after some hours especially on the forehead, nose and also the chin. This is the hardest type of skin to maintain since no one wants to walk around with the face that looks all shiny. Another thing to note is that oily skin tends to get affected more by acne and other skin breakouts. So, make sure that you take care of your oily skin to keep it looking good and prevent the skin outbreaks.

These are various reliable oily skin care routines that can help you take care of your skin

Also, note that the following oily skin care routines should be done on a daily basis and they are also useful for people with the oily combination skins. They include;

• Cleanse the skin.

Oily skin requires to be completely clear or anything that may cause clogging to the surface. Keep in mind that such skin has the largest oil glands that produce too much oily regularly and therefore to avoid too much oil accumulating on the skin, you need to clean off the excess oils that may be on the surface already. Besides too much clogging of the oil is what leads to acne outbreaks. Before you head to run your errands in the morning and the evening, make sure to cleanse your face to remove the excess oils clogging and allow it to breathe.

• Exfoliate the skin.

Exfoliation is the process of using beauty products to remove the dead skin and cells that may be on the surface. This process is also beneficial when it comes to opening the pores of the skin. Regular exfoliation of the skin helps to remove the dead skin and cells on the face thus paving the way for the growth of suitable cells. It is advisable for one to exfoliate three times a week but for those with oily skin, exfoliating four times a week would be perfect for you. Note that this is a must daily skin care routine for the oily acne prone skin as it helps the skin stay clear of any dirt and oils which causes the acne to develop.

• Tone the skin.

Although toner is mainly recommended for people with dry skin, research shows that this is also a reliable skin care routine for oily skin. But you should know that there are toners which are made for the dry skin and others for oily skin and therefore, one needs to be extra careful when buying the toner for oily skin. The toner is used in the oily skin care routine to help in removing the excess oils and dirt that may be on the skin. This in return prepares the face to absorb more and better skin care products as well. A toner should be used in every morning before you do your daily routine care procedures.

• Special skin care treatment.

This method is included in the face routine for oily skin because it helps to treat specific parts which are affected. For example, if you have an acne breakout, you may use special treatments to get rid of the dark spots, or if you have a rash on the skin, you may be given some products to help get rid of it. Make sure to follow the required skin care routine regarding this treatment and also, use the right product meant for the oily skin.

• Moisturizer.

Most people with oily skin do not follow this beauty routine due to the fear that they may add more oil to the surface but, keep in mind that moisturizing is essential for all skin types. Moisturizing the skin is necessary since it helps to seal in all the nutrients that are on the surface thus ensuring that the skin remains rejuvenated all the time. If you are not wearing any makeup or you don’t have plans of going out from the house, make sure to use moisturizer but ensure the moisturizer is suitable for oily skin to avoid adding too much oil to the surface. The other moisturizer to ensure that you have is the eye cream. The under eyes should also be moisturized to keep them rejuvenated and prevent the development of dark circles.

• Apply sunscreen creams or lotions.

Taking care of your face is essential, and it is recommended that you apply sunscreen lotion/cream if you are going out or get exposed to the sunlight. Applying sunscreen lotion should also be included in your daily skin care routine as a part of keeping your skin secure. The last thing you need is to have your skin getting affected by the sun. So, before you leave the house, make sure to apply sunscreen lotion to protect your skin from getting sun damage.

• Take care of the lips.

Even if your lips do not look oily unlike other parts of the face, it is crucial that you take care of them and hence they should be included in your face routine for oily skin. The reason for taking care of the lips is because unlike other areas of the skin, lips do not have sebaceous gland. Hence they do not produce any oils to keep them moisturized. If you do not apply lip bum, they tend to crack and look all dry. Make sure to keep moisturizing the lips all the time and avoid licking them since this is one of the reasons that they tend to dry up.

Tips for maintaining an oily skin.

• Always clean your face before you sleep.

Apart from using the above-reviewed beauty products, there are other essential things that you need to focus on to ensure that your face is maintained and does not get affected by the excess oils. Always provide that to clean your face every day before you sleep. This helps to remove all the dirty residuals and the makeup which clogs the skin if not cleared.

• Avoid applying anything to the face at night.

Not unless you are treating your face, it is crucial that you avoid applying anything on the face before you sleep to allow the skin breath.

• Avoid using liquid makeups on the T-zone.

The t-zone is the area from the forehead down to the nose. People with this kind of feature are said to have oily combination skin (How to Treat Combination Skin?). This part of the face has a larger sebaceous gland as opposed to the rest of the face and therefore, it is among the first affected part by acne. One way to make sure that your oily combination skin is free from outbreaks is through being cautious of what you apply on the face. Hence as you do your face routines for oily skin, make sure to avoid applying liquid makeups that may add oily on this area. Instead, use moisturizers and powder in this area. It helps control the accumulation of more oils.

• Avoid clogging products on the face.

Considering that your face is a bit clogged already by the oils that are produced all the time, it is advisable that you ensure that you don’t clog it even more with the kind of products you use on the skin. One way of providing that our skin is not excessively clogged is by minimizing the amount of makeup you use on the face. Avoid applying too much makeup on the skin and if you have to make sure to cleanse your face in the evening and exfoliate it. Always do this when doing your daily skin care routine for oily acne prone skin.

• Cleanse your face twice a day.

It is crucial to cleanse your face two times a day to ensure that you get rid of the excess sebum as much as possible. This is even more recommended for people who wear make-up on a daily basis. Cleaning the face helps to get rid of all the beauty products hence leaving your face looking and feeling fresh. It helps open the pores for better breathing at night and helps prevent the skin outbreak. Use cleansers that have a moisturizing property when cleansing the face at night.

• Mask your face.

Masking works just like exfoliating although it helps to keep the skin hydrated and looking rejuvenated. It best works at night considering you will not be applying any facial products on the surface for an entire night. So make an effort of masking your face probably three or four times a week. The best making product to use is a sheet mask but ensure that the sheet mask you buy matches with your skin tone.

Oily skin is the hardest to maintain, but with the right methods and products, one can quickly and comfortably achieve a flawless oily skin with no blemishes. Before using any of the beauty products discussed above, make sure to consult a dermatologist so they can advise you on the right products that will fit your oily face.

Lately, skincare industries and beauty gurus have developed a serious interest towards the use of hyaluronic acid for skin care purposes. Not only is this product included in injectable fillers but also in creams, serums, masques, and various lotions. It is also a present ingredient in certain makeup products such as primers, foundations, lipstick, and also blush.

For a product to be used in such a wide range of products, it must have a great effect on the skin. This article will help you develop a better understanding of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid skin care, its benefits to the skin, as well as identify whether it has any side effects on the users.

Hyaluronic acid is produced by the human body. It serves as a lubricant to the skin, nerves, eyes, joints, and hair. It highly contributes to the appearance of the skin as a large percentage of the body’s supply comes from skin tissues.

As one ages, the body’s ability to produce the acid reduces, thus causing wrinkles, dryness, fine lines, and sagging of the skin. For this reason, many cosmetic enhancement and skin care companies are continuously encouraging people to use products containing hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic Acid as a Dermal Filler

One of the reasons as to why hyaluronic acid is a great preference for many is because of the results it produces, especially when used as a dermal filler. It has the ability to replace collagen, thus acting as the ingredient that causes restoration to the skin.

Once the HA is injected into the body, it gets absorbed within three to 12 months. It’s longer lasting nature makes it a better alternative to collagen. In addition, there are minimum side effects of using hyaluronic acid as the body does not detect it as a foreign substance.

If the appearance of HA does not impress you, there is an enzyme known as hyaluronidase which can disperse the acid before it gets to dissolve.

Does Hyaluronic Acid contain Anti-Aging Properties?

There are many stated benefits of using hyaluronic acid, one of them being that it is an anti-aging product. Well, when injected through the epidermis, this is true.

When applied topically for hyaluronic acid skin care, it does not serve as an anti-aging ingredient. It hydrates the fine lines on the skin lessening their visibility.

It creates a barrier on the skin which brings about a moisturizing effect that does not permanently eliminate wrinkles but smoothens the skin. This is because its molecules are too huge to penetrate through the epidermis, thus cannot serve as an anti-aging product, unless injected directly into the epidermis.

Hyaluronic Acid as a Moisturizer

The main the use of hyaluronic acid skin care products is one of the best way to moisturize skin. It is referred to as a humectant, meaning that it contains the ability to draw water to the skin, as well as minimize moisture loss.

It is quite simple to identify how to use hyaluronic acid on the face. It works differently on varying types of skin; thus it is important to carry out thorough research before purchasing a specific hyaluronic acid.

You need to ensure that it works for your skin type to receive desirable hyaluronic acid skin care results. Check the review section on the website and get to view the opinions of individuals that have already used the product in question.

Does your Moisturizer Contain Hyaluronic Acid?

You may be wondering how to use hyaluronic acid on your face. If your moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, you ought to be careful. This is because this product does not function pretty well in dry climates.

The water-binding ingredient in the acid will not be able to draw moisture from the external environment, causing it to extract moisture from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface. This is not healthy for your skin as dryness will occur since the essential moisture is being pulled from the depths of the skin.

Therefore, the climate in your location should enable you to determine whether it is safe for you to use products with HA or not.

The Proper Method of Using Hyaluronic Acid

There are lots of people who use hyaluronic acid as it is a great product to those it has worked well on their skin.

As it is watery and light, it is an excellent choice for individuals that have acne prone skin. This is because this product works better than oily and creamy moisturizers on such skin.

To clearly understand how to use hyaluronic acid on the face, you ought to ensure that lots of water is trapped and locked to the skin in order to receive maximum results. The skin needs to be clean and bare before application of the hyaluronic acid skin care product.

Hyaluronic Acid Ingredients

To identify the best hyaluronic acids in the market, certain ingredients ought to be present in the product. These are:

⦁ Sodium Hyaluronate

⦁ Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

⦁ Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Top Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

⦁ Acts As A Hydrating Agent to Dry and Aged Skin

A large number of people have attested to the hydrating effect caused by the use of a hyaluronic acid skin care routine. In this case, the texture of the skin becomes smoother, the skin is dewier, and the eye bags feel lighter. It can produce such results since it reduces water loss.

Interesting to note, one of the reasons why certain hormone replacement treatments result in a more youthful appearance on the patient is because of the increased concentration of HA in the skin.

Does hyaluronic acid work in the prevention of water loss from the skin? As people age, the ability of the skin molecules to retain water reduces. As a result, conditions such as dropping eyes, dandruff, crusty lips, dryness, and sagginess of the skin are caused.

Skin aging can also be caused by external factors such as exposure to UV light and tobacco smoking, among other pollutants. Researchers have discovered that wrinkles are caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays.

Therefore, their visibility is higher in low humidity areas as compared to high humidity regions. Keep your skin protected through the use of Hyaluronic Acid.

⦁ Minimizes Eye Discomfort and Dry Eyes

The eye socket is surrounded by a fluid known as the vitreous humor. The highest composition of this fluid is made up of hyaluronic acid. Therefore, HA eye drops are recommended to people suffering from chronic dry eyes as it helps in the restoration of fluid balance, as well as tear production.

Hyaluronic Acid has also been found to be helpful in repairing the oxidative damage which can be caused by UVB light on the cornea. Eye injuries and disorders are mostly treated using Hyaluronic lubricating formulas, especially before and after surgery when the eyes are highly sensitive.HA is also beneficial when used during eye surgeries and also during the recovery period.

⦁ Treatment of Sunburn, Sores, and Wound Repair

Does hyaluronic acid work in the treatment of burns, ulcers, bites, mouth ulcers, and wounds? Yes, it does. This is due to its ability to keep the damaged tissue moist.

Many of the treatments that heal cold sores on the mouth and lips contain HA gel which is responsible for the prevention of bleeding and cracking, as well as speeding up the healing process. Hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the lips and mouth as it is made up of collagen and water.

The purpose of HA on the lips is to give them shape and structure. Since HA has the ability to hydrate the existing tissues within the lips and mouth, as well as to keep the skin junctions tight, it provides the necessary nutrients to the damaged tissues. In addition, it helps in the carrying away of waste products and controlling inflammation.

⦁ Lubrication of Achy Joints

HA is present in all bones, cartilage structures, joints, connecting tissues, and tendons. As a result of its ability to provide resistance to the wearing and tearing of bones, it reduces pains caused by degenerative joint diseases.

It is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis injuries and pains. It is also used in treating the osteoarthritis condition itself through the administration of high doses through injections.

Lower doses can also be recommended for specific conditions such as chronic pains and joint stiffness. However, most of the joint pains that are treated through the administration of HA injections are usually on the knees and elbows.

Hyaluronic Acid for Skin Side Effects

HA supplements and injections administered for skin improvement on pregnant women should be avoided. This is because it can alter the original state of the breast milk, as well as create complications to the developing baby in the womb.

There are temporary hyaluronic acid for skin side effects that are experienced after receiving dermal filler injections. Some of these include sensitivity to sunlight and mild inflammatory reactions.

Conclusion

Does hyaluronic acid work? Hyaluronic acid supplements are safe to be consumed by most people as they contain numerous benefits. This product is especially recommended to renew and restore dry skin problems, minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as speed up the healing of wounds.

Hyaluronic acid for skin side effects are not highly prevalent; thus the most important is the non-use of the product by pregnant women to avoid complications.

Therefore, it is a highly beneficial supplement for numerous conditions, thus an excellent product. Before you can use any HA formulas, it is crucial that you consult your doctor to ensure that the product works well for you.

 

Having great looking skin is both a boon and a treat. When your skin oozes radiance and glow you not only look more visually attractive, you almost always feel more confident. Naturally, this works both ways, but especially for the ladies.

For many of us, unfortunately, it’s not always possible to look this way, reason being that our skins are vulnerable to the effects of sensitivity. As such, concerns about how to get rid of sensitive skin are understandably plentiful.

To be clear, no one has sensitive skin as a skin type; sensitivity affects every skin type there is. It doesn’t matter if yours is the normal, dry, oily, or combination type; there is a host of internal and external factors that can trigger sensitivity. Quite understandably, being knowledgeable about natural skincare for sensitive skin will help you know what to do to both avert any unpleasant symptoms or handle them effectively if they make an appearance.

Having suffered some forgettable bad skin days, you may be wondering “do I have sensitive skin”. Perhaps the best thing to do here would be to briefly explore the most common sensitive skin complaints and you can then try to relate these with the symptoms you’ve seen.

 

• Red blotches – In case of these, blood vessels, enlarged oil glands, bumps and thick skin will be visible on your nose, cheeks and chin. The underlying condition indicated by these symptoms is known as rosacea whereby your facial blood vessels dilate causing the blood to flow much nearer to the skin’s surface. You flush easily as a result.
• Allergic reactions – These erupt very soon after your system encounters something it doesn’t agree with; typical immune responses. In case these happen with greater frequency it may be the case that your skin’s barrier function is compromised by genetic abnormalities.
• Extremely dry skin – In this case your skin feels rough and tight. If your skin feels this way consistently it’s likely that you naturally have the dry skin type, and which when really dry leads to itchiness and irritation. If your problem is occasional the causes are likely to be dryness and dehydration.
• Breakouts – Here your skin regularly suffers an eruption of pimples, i.e. acne. This mostly happens when you’re stressed or have been lacking sleep. Exposure to pore-clogging products and having overactive oil glands are other notable causes.

Having established what the most common skin sensitivity problems are it’s only appropriate for you to ask “why is my skin so sensitive”. Getting the answers to this question will certainly help you make an informed decision in as far as choosing an effective approach to skincare for sensitive skin.

 

The most common causes of skin sensitivity are as follows:

• Allergic reactions
• Stress and lack of adequate sleep
• Hormonal changes during puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause
• Over-exfoliation
• Use of harsh skin products or ingredients
• Don’t know how to remove makeup properly
• Use of certain medications
• Various skin conditions e.g. psoriasis, eczema, urticaria, rosacea, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, etc
• Poor health – the responsible disease could be as inconsequential as common cold or as severe as cancer
• Poor diet and dehydration
• Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine
• Smoking
• Vaping
• Exposure to environmental stressors e.g. climate, pollution, etc.
• UV damage

 

From this list it is quite evident that the answer to the question “why is my skin so sensitive” may not be simple and direct; a couple of factors could be responsible for your skin’s sensitivity. In case you are unsure about what’s responsible then getting advice from your pharmacist, doctor or dermatologist is recommended.

You now have a much better idea of both what your sensitive skin condition(s) could be and what the probable cause(s) are. How to get rid of sensitive skin is naturally what should concern you next. There are lots of ideas, borrowed from the expert insights of doctors, dermatologists, dieticians, etc, that you can put into practice and in so doing implement your own skincare for sensitive skin.

 

Starting with what are really easy-to-do measures, here goes:

• Avoid feeling stressed for an extended period of time – The release of stress hormones results in excess production of sebum, resulting in acne. Choose to be jovial and worry-free and perhaps you won’t need to keep asking “why is my skin so sensitive”.
• Be gentle on your skin – Blotting, rather than rubbing, your face dry with a towel is far better.
• Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen always – This will protect your skin against the effects of sunburn and tanning, both known for their damaging effects on skin and resulting in it becoming easily irritated
• Always moisturize your skin – Leaving your skin dry and dehydrated is the sure way to make it more vulnerable to irritation and damage. You’re advised to apply moisturizer immediately after cleansing; a heavier moisturizer should be used in case you’re going to be exposed to extreme weather conditions. The use of a humidifier is also well advised if you’ll be sleeping in a room with heat or air conditioning.
• Cut down on alcohol consumption – This will help to prevent the loss of nutrients from the skin as well as promote repair.
• Stick to a healthy diet – Having overall good health will naturally ensure pleasant skin health. The consumption of foods rich in B vitamins, i.e. B12, B6, biotin, riboflavin and niacin, will help to keep your skin well moisturized.
• Drink enough water – In as far as how to get rid of sensitive skin is concerned, ensuring that you are well hydrated is of utmost importance. After all, the effects of dehydration are first noticed on the skin.
• Investigate the cause of your allergic reactions – Conclusively determining what triggers your allergy will let you know what to avoid. A dermatologist can help with this if you’re unable to find out on your own. Getting skin allergy remedy is unfortunately not an option; you’ll need to learn how to live with it.
• Exfoliate regularly – This will help you to get rid of dead cells, as well as help heal fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne and large pores. Steer clear of too physical and gritty exfoliators though; you might want to consider the more gentler alpha hydroxy acid formulations
• In case of acne-prone sensitive skin it is advisable to go for a lighter course of treatment that’ll result in less irritation. First take care of the spots’ redness and swelling by dabbing some hydrocortisone cream on them. Next, apply a thin layer of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel; this will take care of the bacteria problem.
• Cleanse your face lightly in the morning and then more heavily at night. If you have dry skin or experience regular sensitivity it is advisable to use lukewarm water during cleansing; using hot water will most likely result in dryness and cracking. Also, use a mild soap-free cleanser; stay clear of any astringents or alcohol-based products.
• Ensure that you get enough beauty sleep – This is absolutely vital considering that it is at night that the skin works most of its regeneration and repair.
• Related to this is the need to regularly change your pillowcase. The fact that your face is in direct contact with a pillowcase all night long should be taken seriously, more so if you’re an acne victim. Worn out pillowcases should be replaced immediately.
• Also, using sheets made from natural fibers, e.g. pure cotton or silk is advised as these have the best ability to soak up the perspiration and oil your skin produces as you sleep. A regular change of sheets is mandatory.
• Always remove your makeup before sleeping – Opting to wear makeup overnight will result in clogged-up pores.
• Go for a skin-care detox – If you’ve been using a complex cocktail of products you’ll be better off scaling down to the essentials i.e. a mild cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF, and sticking to this regimen for the period of your skin’s recovery. Later on you can try using more products; do this one at a time and only after you’ve patch-tested each on your inner arm to confirm that irritation won’t occur.
• Go for the right type of clothing – You’ll be better off wearing clothes made from natural fibers, e.g. silk and cotton, in addition to ensuring that the clothes aren’t too tight a fit. When washing them ensure that the cleaning products used are not the harsh and heavily fragranced varieties that are likely to result in skin irritation.