Tips For Acne Treatments & Preventions

I thought I'd take today to address some health and wellness questions I've received. While fitness is the foundation I want you all to build your lifestyle from, it's also good to be sure your skin is lookin' good too. Right?!? :)

We've all seen the commercials on TV for the acne treatments promoted by actresses. While these products are effective they can also be too pricey for some of our budgets. So we visit the local drug store to find the generic knock off that is half price. That's a great savings but for most people, there are very simple home remedies for acne that work, and they are extremely inexpensive. See the tips below.

1) Keep your face and hair clean.
While this may sound very simple and obvious many people miss the point. You see, your skin has what are called sebaceous glands. These glands produce natural oil. In moderation, this oil is good for normal skin. But if your skin is sensitive or if too much oil is produced acne can develop. Washing your face two or three times per day will go a long way toward keeping this oil in check. Be sure to use a gentle touch as you wash, a massage action is recommended. Over-washing can irritate the acne.

By the way, you should also keep your hair clean. Because your hair is so close to your face any oil from it can be transferred to your face.

2) Keep your hands away from your face. We tend to forget that although our hands look clean they actually carry bacteria, dirt, grim and oil. Do your best to keep your hands clean and to avoid putting them on your face.

3) Try soaking a cotton ball in witch hazel and dabbing your face with it before bedtime or use as a replacement for your regular toner. The results may surprise you.

4) Anytime you use moisturizers or other products on your face be sure that they are non-comedogenic, or acne-genic. This simply means that the products have been developed in a way that will not cause acne.
After using a moisturizer try soaking a cotton ball with benzoyl peroxide and dabbing your face.

5) Exfoliating dead skin cells will help keep skin clean and prevent any build up of oils that can cause acne. But gentle action is always best since rough abrasive exfoliation can cause irritation and make the condition worse.

6) Relax.

Stress has been proven to be related to overactive hormones and various glands of the body. This is definitely associated with acne in many cases. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

Even with these simple techniques it is wise to seek the advice of a professional. Sometimes our doctor can pinpoint an allergy or other cause of the acne. If you decide to use these techniques you will need to be consistent in order for them to be effective.