Not only do breakouts have the tendency to make you self-conscious because it looks like a huge crater has landed on your face, but they also seem to happen at the worst time. It’s like your face knows when you have a class reunion or a hot date that you want to look perfect for because, without failure, two days in advance you’ll start to see the red bump begin to form.
While some breakouts are hormonal (changes around that time of the month or menopause throw your body into all sorts of tail spins), there are still things you can do to prevent a majority of them and save yourself acne related anxiety.
For the best shot at a clean, clear face, follow these basic guidelines:
1. Wash Regularly
It goes without saying that if you regularly sleep in your make-up, your skin is going to retaliate. It’s like wrapping your face in saran wrap and never taking it off. Your skin has to be able to breathe.
Even if you don’t wear make-up, you’re not exempt from having to suds up. Your face collects dirt and grime all day long, and you have to get it off if you want your skin to look supple and healthy.
For proper skin care, wash twice a day – once in the morning and once at night before bed. And, if you exercise, you’ll want to wash then too to get the dirty sweat off your skin. A clean face is a happy face.
2. Use the Right Kind of Soap for Your Skin Type
This is where a lot of women go wrong. They buy the wrong kind of soap and end up over drying or upsetting their skin simply because they just grab the first soap they see on the shelf at the store.
Make sure you purchase a soap that works for your skin tone; whether it’s oily, dry or combination. You’ll find that when you do, you’ll actually look more radiant and your make-up will apply easier because your skin will be smooth and clear.
If all types of soap seem to upset your face, you may have sensitive skin. There are a lot of options out there for this situation too, so make sure you get one that specifically says it’s for that condition.
3. Exfoliate Weekly
Your skin is constantly dying and regenerating itself. Kind of gross to think about, huh? But, it’s true. Your skin grows, dies, flakes off and grows again.
So, if you want it to look healthy, remove your dead skin through exfoliation. You can buy exfoliating scrubs or the little hand-held machines that more or less buff the dying skin away. Some spas even offer exfoliating facials.
Try to do this once a week so that the old skin doesn’t clog your pores, causing unsightly blemishes. Don’t do it any more than that though, or you’ll actually risk damaging your skin. This is one instance where it is possible to have too much of a good thing.
4. Moisturize Properly
If you use the wrong moisturizers, you can be clogging your pores instead of just helping to keep them moist. Again, make sure you buy one that is appropriate for your skin type.
One thing to keep in mind is that your skin may require different levels of moisturizing during different seasons. Perhaps it gets drier in the summer when you spend a lot of time in the sun, or during the winter when the air is less humid.
Also, there are different moisturizers available for day and night time. If you have any question about which ones are right for you, lots of department stores have helpful personnel behind the make-up counters that can help you.
5. Keep Your Hands off Your Face
This is a big one. The more often you touch your face, the more you’re contaminating it with the germs that are on your hands, and the more likely pimples will appear as a result.
For your best chance at having skin that is flawless, be very conscious of how much you rest your cheeks in your hands, rub your forehead when you’re stressed or caress your chin when you’re thinking.
In fact, try to stop touching your face altogether. Not only will you have better skin as a result, but you’ll also suffer fewer colds and flus because your hands are the biggest germ carriers there are.
6. Don’t Pick at Your Pimples
It may seem like you’re speeding the healing process by getting your pimples to pop, but you’re actually doing more damage than good. One, you’re breaking open your skin which increases your risk of scarring and allows germs to get inside and possibly get infected. Two, you’re likely making them bigger and more red than they were initially.
If you notice a pimple starting to form, let it run its course. Add some concealer to it and hide it the best you can if it makes you self-conscious. But, the more you mess with it, the longer it will likely stay and the worse it will look.
7. Take Some Time to De-stress
When you’re under pressure and don’t relax, your body retaliates in lots of ways, one of which is through your skin. So, when you’re feeling like life is throwing a lot at you, make sure you deal with the stress appropriately.
Get in some exercise or go out and have fun. Share some laughs with family or talk to a friend. Let the stress out before it shows on your face – literally.
8. Watch Your Sugar Intake
If you have too much sweet stuff in your diet, you’ll likely see the effects in the mirror the next morning. Sugar inflames your body in many ways, and the pores on your face are just one of them.
Try to limit the amount of soda, chocolates and desserts you consume; especially when it’s that time of the month when your body is more sensitive. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll look better as well.
9. Stay Hydrated
If you don’t drink enough water, one of the first places you’ll see it is in your face. Water helps flush all the toxins, like the gunk that’s in blemishes, out of your system.
Get in your six to eight glasses a day. You’ll reduce your risk of pimples and keep your face looking young and healthy.
Sometimes you just can’t stop a break out. But, if you follow these simple little steps, at least you’ll minimize the amount you get and shorten their life expectancy; both of which are a good thing.
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