Skin Care Specialist Suggestions for Managing Acne

Your skin has tiny holes called pores that can become blocked by oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt. When this occurs, you may develop a pimple or “zit.” If your skin is repeatedly affected by this condition, you may have acne.Sacramento skin care specialists often note that their acne improves in the summer, and this is probably because sun exposure increases skin shedding.



Everyone has unique skin types, skin tones, lifestyles, and genetic histories that make it impossible to have a single piece of one-size-fits-all advice. So, we rounded up some of your options on how to get clear skin from top dermatologists. Read on for our favorite ways to get your skin to look and feel its best.

1. Wash Your Face Daily

The first and most important rule isn't groundbreaking: Remember to wash your face! Cleansing and treating your skin twice a day is the best way to keep breakouts away. For those emergencies when you're just too tired to wash your face, keep a stash of face wipes in the drawer of your nightstand. This way if you get home super late and don’t feel like going all the way to the sink, you can still go to bed with clean skin!

2. Use the Right Face Cleanser

Buying a generic face wash won’t necessarily improve your complexion; for a cleanser to be most effective, you have to pay attention to your skin’s needs and pick the ingredients accordingly. If your skin tends to be oily, choose products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid. For sensitive skin, look for cleansers with lactic acid or hydrating ingredients like glycerin, which aren’t as drying as those made for oilier types.

3. Don't Over-Exfoliate Your Skin

Scrubbing your face daily with grainy cleansers and exfoliating products can do more harm than good. When done too often, it can cause redness, inflammation, and irritation.

4. Regularly Change Your Face Towel

Using dirty towels can harbor bacteria, and they can even introduce new bacteria to your skin, which may lead to more pimples. As long as you're truly washing off all of your makeup, you can stick to switching out your towels on a weekly basis.

5. Moisturize

Worried moisturizer will make your acne worse? Think again — it can actually help improve your skin. Look for a lightweight, oil-based product that won’t clog your pores.

6. Use Sunscreen that Doesn't Clog Pores

While SPF is a must, some sunscreens can trigger breakouts. Look for oil-free formula that won't clog pores.

7. Skip Makeup When You're Working Out

Take an extra five minutes before hopping on the treadmill to completely wash your face and remove your makeup to minimize the risk of breakouts. The trapped debris and bacteria are a perfect breeding ground for acne bumps and zits.

8. Wash Your Face Post-Workout

After sweating, immediately use an exfoliating cleanser to help keep your pores clear and remove excess oil. If you have body acne, taking a shower as soon as possible after working out is also key.

9. Tailor Your Diet

Limit intake of dairy products, which can contain hormones and antibiotics that can worsen acne breakouts. Skin-boosting superfoods include leafy green vegetables and other brightly-colored fruit and vegetables which are rich in antioxidants and nutrients plus eggs, nuts, legumes, and quinoa.

10. Drink Water not Caffeine Drinks

Okay, so drinking your eight glasses isn't going to magically clear your skin, but drinking water improves your overall health. Plus, it won't contribute to your acne struggles like the sugar and caffeine found in sodas and coffee.

11. Have a Cup of Tea

Try sipping spearmint tea. Spearmint tea has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and reduction in testosterone levels in some limited studies.

12. Change Your Pillowcases

Unwashed sheets and pillowcases lead to cross-contamination which leads to pimples. Aim to wash your bedding once or twice a week to prevent bacteria from building up and affecting your complexion.

13. Keep Your Phone Screen Clean

Think of how many times a day you touch your phone — that thing gets pretty germy. To stay in the clear, clean your screen daily with an alcohol wipe. And when possible, Dr. Papantoniou recommends using the speaker option or headphones so your phone isn't resting on your face as often.

14. Wipe Down Your Headphones

Sneaky everyday habits could secretly be doing a number on your skin. Even something as seemingly harmless as wearing over-the-ear headphones could be the culprit to breakouts around your temples and jawline.

15. Stash a Heal + Conceal Stick in Your Locker

If a midday zit pops up, swipe it with concealer loaded with blemish-shrinking ingredients. This way you can cover it up and treat it in one step.

16. Try to Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

One of the most basic tips for how to get rid of acne is simply to keep you hands to yourself. Your hands aren’t always clean, and dirt under your fingernails and improper squeezing can cause acne to spread or lead to further infection.

17. Ice Your Acne to Bring the Swelling Down

If you really must do something about your pimple beyond washing your face and spot treating, ice or a cold compress can help reduce inflammation. Wrap an ice cube or the compress in a soft tissue or cloth and apply it to your zit for 20-30 seconds at a time, a few times a day.

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