Care For Blemish Prone Skin
Posted by GuestW on Jan 16, 2009 in Miscellaneous • No commentsBlemishes has long been considered a problem of teenagers, but they don’t always disappear when you get older. Getting older doesn’t necessarily mean you get rid of blemishes. Whatever your age, it’s wise to be careful what you put on your skin since it will be absorbed into your body.
Gentle Washing Is Key.
If you have blemishes, scrubbing your face isn’t going to get rid of them. In fact it does the opposite. If you rub your skin too roughly, it’s more likely to stir up more blemishes and aggravate ones you already have. It’s so important you clean your face gently.
Gently washing your face helps to avoid irritation that will make acne worse. Don’t even bother to use a washcloth. Just splash some water on your face, then lather up your hands with the mild cleansing wash or mild soap.Â
Once you’ve washed your face, use a clean washcloth to gently pat the water off the skin until it’s dry.
Benzoyl Peroxide Best Blemish Fighter.
Once your skin is completely dry, it’s time to use an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide. This active ingredient is the best non-prescription medication you can use to control blemishes. Peroxide has long been used to cleanse skin, and benzoyl peroxide is also a mild drying agent.
Use 2.5% benzoyl peroxide as it has been shown to be just as effective as 5% or 10%, but much less irritating. It’s counter productive to irritate your skin and make acne worse instead of better.
Of major importance is starting with a small amount of medicine. Considering this medication is a drying agent and can cause redness and itchiness, so don’t slather on a bunch right from the beginning. Start with just enough medication to very lightly cover your skin the first time, then gradually increase the amount you’re using. After a couple of weeks you should be giving your skin a good coating of medication.
Be extra careful to stay away from the tender skin under your eyes. It’s not prone to break-outs anyway, and the skin there is thinner and more easier irritated that the rest of the skin on your face.
Use Moisturizer.
It’s important to apply moisturizer, because benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin. Allow the medicine to soak in and wait for your skin to completely dry, then lightly apply moisturizer to your face. Wait for the moisturizer to dry, and if you skin still appears dry or flaky, add some more.
It’s quite important to apply the moisturizer even when first beginning to use benzoyl peroxide. This is to keep your skin from drying out too much.
Will Diet Make A Difference?
The scientific community can’t make up its collective mind as to whether diet has any effect on acne. Too much iodine will aggravate blemishes, so don’t go overboard with the salt shaker if you’re using iodized salt, or eat too many iodine rich foods like clams, crabs or other shellfish.
However, if you notice that your skin tends to break out more after eating certain foods, ditch the scientific theory of the moment, and avoid those foods. Body chemistry and the effects of foods and other substances on our body is so complex, that scientists don’t always have the definitive answer. (How many drugs have been thought safe, only to discover later they have bad side effects?)
More Quick Tips.
When you have a blemish and need help quick, try one of the following:
- If you run out of benzoyl peroxide and have a blemish, try using a little calamine lotion. This zaps the zit by soaking up the excess oil.
- Right after washing your face, use an ice cube for 60 seconds on any blemishes. The cold helps reduce the inflammation and make them less noticeable.
- Squeeaing is a no-no! While it may seemingly allow that place to heal more quickly, it will irritate the surrounding skin and may cause more blemishes.
- Look out for oil based make-up. Especially bad for blemish prone skin is any kind of oil based make-up. If you wish to use make-up, look for fragrance-free types that are meant for people with sensitive skin.
Acne Free Skin.
Having problem skin is a problem nobody wants, but a good skin care regimen can usually help or totally eradicate the problem.Â
Clear skin is the clear goal.
