If you have acne or occasional breakouts you have probably tried every skin care product or tip that there is on the internet. Acne can be hard to get rid of, but there are a lot of habits that can help to keep blemishes at bay. Here are some skin care habits that can help improve acne prone skin.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is largely a hormonal condition that is driven by the androgen hormones. These hormones usually become active during the teenage and young adult years. Hormones combined with fatty acids and bacteria on the skin can cause acne.
Other causes of acne prone skin can include:
- Air pollution or certain weather conditions
- Picking at acne sores
- Using oily or greasy products
- Stress
- Some medications
- Genetics
- In women, fluctuating hormones around your period
Be Gentle With Your Acne Prone Skin
Using gentle products that are alcohol free or don’t irritate your skin can help keep your acne from getting worse. If your skin is too dry or irritated it can make your acne look worse than it actually is.
Picking or popping your acne can also cause irritation and cause scarring. Being gentle with your skin can help prevent this and help it heal faster. Treating your skin by not using makeup for a few days, or changing pillow cases can help to make your skin feel better too.
Stay Out Of The Sun And Tanning Beds
Tanning damages your skin and some acne medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. This is why it is important to wear sunscreen daily and make sure that your acne is not irritated by the sun. Using tanning beds also increases your risk for skin cancer, which is much worse than dealing with acne. Keeping your skin from sun damage can keep your acne from scarring and being irritated by UV light.
Using a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays is essential for acne prone skin The sun is the number one cause of wrinkles, uneven skin tone, loss of firmness and aging signs.
Wash Your Face Twice Daily
Especially in the summer, perspiration and dirt can make your acne worse. Washing your face with an effective face wash twice a day can keep this bacteria off your skin and help prevent debris from getting stuck in your pores.
Choosing a cleanser and wash can include lots of trial and error. If you have dry skin, you’ll want to use one without alcohol or fragrance. If your skin tends to be oily, you’ll want to look for an oil-free option, and you may want to consider using a toner as well. Working with a dermatologist can also help you determine what skin type you have and what products are best for your acne.
Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face
Touching your face in your sleep or throughout the day can cause flare ups. Try your best to keep your hands away from your face or resting your head in your hands while at school or work. Bacteria lives on your hands that can be transferred to your face. Sharing too much oil from your hands to your face can make your acne harder to clear up.
Adjust For The Seasons
If you live in a place with changing seasons or really extreme weather, your skin routine may need to be different than others. In the winter it is all about extra moisturizing because of the dry air. In the summer your skin may be oilier so you may opt for an oil free cleanser.
Remember that as your travel or the weather changes, you may need to adjust your skin care routine. Humidity, sun damage or hormonal changes are reasons that you may need to adjust your skin care for acne prone skin.
Intermountain Aesthetics Can Help
Acne is a very prevalent skin condition in the U.S. It can affect more than just your face and can include your back and neck. There are topical and oral medications that can help with prevention or treating redness. Our medical spa and dermatologists can recommend treatment for all different types of acne.
We offer services for acne prone skin such as chemical peels, laser spot removal, facials and the MicroPen. Head to our website to learn about all of our services and see our specials on products that we are offering right now. Visit our office located in Ogden today to treat your skin to some love and skin healthy ingredients.
