5 Tips to Get Clearer Skin
Nearly everyone experiences acne breakouts in their life. Acne has many causes, including lifestyle choices, genetics, and hormonal fluctuations. And there are just as many acne solutions as causes, with everyone from social media influencers to skincare companies offering their advice and solutions.
But what does the research say your skin needs? What helps acne, and what doesn’t? Let’s discuss what causes acne so you can better treat breakouts by understanding the root cause, and then we’ll reveal our five tips to get clearer skin.
Trapped bacteria cause acne
Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder. Skin professionals, doctors, and researchers believe that the following factors cause acne development:
Excessive or high production of oil in the pore
Dead skin cells and bacteria buildup in the pore
An increase in androgens, which are male sex hormones
Hormonal changes related to pregnancy
Family history
Certain medications, such as medications that contain hormones, corticosteroids, and lithium
Age
Luckily, acne is treatable with science and diligence. Here’s how you can get and maintain clearer skin:
#1: Always wash your face twice a day
If you’re prone to breakouts or have oily skin, research says you should make washing your face the cornerstone of your morning and evening acne skincare routine.
Participants were asked to wash their faces one, two, or four times a day for six weeks in a study focused specifically on face washing. The study reported significant improvement in the acne lesions of those who washed their face twice a day, while the participants who only washed their face once a day had the most significant increase in pimples.
It’s important to remember that people with acne often have very sensitive skin. Your skincare products, from cleansers to toners to cosmetics, must promote healthy skin instead of triggering inflammation or clogging pores. A customized skincare regimen provided by a skin care professional can help you stay on top of your cleansing routine with medical-grade skincare for clear, acne-free skin.
#2: Be gentle with your skin
Picking or popping a blemish exposes the pore to even more bacteria, including those from your hands, increasing the risk of infection or scarring. And scrubbing too hard leaves skin rough and red.
Irritation can make you more susceptible to breakouts, so avoid harsh scrubs and even washcloths, which can be too rough on your face. If you use your hands to wash or touch your skin, be sure they're clean to avoid transferring acne-causing dirt and oil back onto your face.
#3: Don’t skip moisturizer
Benzoyl peroxide products are great at fighting pimples but can dry your skin. Drying out your skin can make acne worse. If your skin is dehydrated, it may try to compensate for it by overproducing oil, causing more breakouts.
It's essential to pick the right moisturizer so it doesn't worsen breakouts or create more oil. Look for a noncomedogenic moisturizer, meaning it won’t clog your pores. For especially oily skin, moisturizers labeled “lightweight” may be best to prevent a heavy, greasy feeling.
#4: Don’t smoke!
Plenty of scientific evidence links smoking with a higher risk of acne. One study included women from 25 to 50 years of age who had acne; almost 73 percent of the participants who smoked had acne, while only 29.4 percent of the women who didn’t smoke had pimples or some other form of acne. Quitting smoking, or never beginning, is one of the best ways to get clearer skin and control acne.
#5: Choose makeup that won’t clog your pores
Like your moisturizer, you want to choose makeup that won’t clog your pores and cause fresh acne breakouts. Makeup can cause its form of acne that doctors call acne cosmetica, a condition that causes small, raised bumps that usually appear on the chin, cheeks, or forehead.
And according to a 2013 study, cosmetics users seem more likely to have skin breakouts.
For clear skin when using cosmetics:
Use products labeled “noncomedogenic” or “oil-free”
Always wash your hands before applying
Always remove your makeup before going to sleep or exercising
Wash your makeup brushes and sponges every week
Bonus tip: get clearer skin in Glendale with Skin Matrx
Most people find that dealing with Acne can be frustrating and sometimes hopeless, and they don’t know what skincare advice to believe or what product to try next. Over-the-counter remedies tend to be short-lived and cause more skin irritation and overly drying the skin, which can cause additional skin issues.
Skin Matrx offers several proven treatment options to combat acne and acne breakouts customized to treat each patient’s needs and goals. Treatment plans may include an internal and external approach to control acne and acne breakouts. Contact us today to learn how you can get clearer skin and reveal your inner glow!