It is a harsh world out there for people with acne-prone skin. At this point, you already know that breakouts don’t just happen to teenagers. With real-life and stress happening, a rampant breakout here and there are just your typical situation.
You have to understand what triggers your acne so that you can start to fix them. Skincare products like those from Neogen can help you with your acne issues. Sometimes, acne can be due to hormonal fluctuations or imbalances, oil production caused by daily intake of oily food, acne-causing bacteria on the skin or even allergies.
Here are some tips on how you can deal with acne-prone skin.
Be Gentle With Your Cleansing
Cleansing is a significant step in a skincare routine. However, keep in mind that you should never use harsh cleansers because it strips off the natural protective barrier from your skin; making it more vulnerable to harmful bacteria. Soap also has a higher pH, and it can excessively dry and trigger more oil production, thus increasing acne irritation.
Over-washing also causes the skin to overdry and it confuses your oil glands into producing more oil, thus worsening your acne problem. Just wash and cleanse your face twice a day (day and night) will do.
Do Not Exfoliate Your Skin When You Have Acne
It is not advisable to treat your skin harshly when you’re having a breakout. Scrubbing off your pimple will strip away your skin’s barrier, and it will only contribute to further acne breakouts. Even some slight exfoliation is too much for your sensitive skin. Instead, try the opposite approach of scrubbing by treating your acne with gentle products that will promote natural cell turnover. Your skin will definitely thank you for that.
Keep Your Hands-Off
Avoid touching your face if it’s not necessary and if you need to touch your face, remember to sanitise your hands before doing so because additional bacteria from your hands is the last thing your acne-prone skin needs. Never pop or pick your pimples no matter how tempting it is. Squeezing your zits will not only irritate and worsen your breakout but it can also potentially scar you for life.
Avoid Dairy Products
According to research, milk would stimulate oil glands and it could create a breeding ground for your acne. Try to detox and cut out dairy for at least 2-3 weeks and see how your skin reacts to it.
Clean Your Makeup Brushes Regularly
People tend to forget this step and complain about a bad skin day. Makeup brushes accumulate dirt and bacteria so often that it is best to clean them at least twice a week. For sponge and blenders, it is essential to wash them once a week.
Check Your Hair Products
Breaking out on your forehead, neck, and shoulders could be due to the ingredients found in your shampoo and conditioner. Ingredients like artificial fragrances and preservatives can also trigger breakouts. Consider changing your hair care products to paraben-free shampoos and conditioner.
Choose Your Makeup Wisely
Your skin could be acting up because of a makeup product that you just recently bought and use. Having skin that’s prone to acne can be hard to maintain so use mineral-based cosmetics instead because it contains ingredients that would absorb excess oil without clogging up the pores. What’s more, it works best with pimple-prone skin!
Invest in Salicylic Acid Products
Salicylic acid is a natural ingredient that can be derived from plants like the willow bark. Known to be one of the most effective anti-acne ingredients out in the market, it targets acne by keeping out dead skin cells that would clog up the pores and cause a breakout. Salicylic Acid Products are better than benzoyl peroxide because it does not suck moisture from your skin or cause redness and peeling.
Watch Out for Non-Comedogenic Product Claims
Non-comedogenic is another term for saying that your pores won’t be clogged. Currently, there is no official definition of this term from the FDA or an actual ingredient list that proves that the ingredients in a product would not get your pores clogged. What is more important to look out for are oil-free products that do not have added artificial fragrances, harmful ingredients, or preservatives because they are known to cause adverse skin issues.
Conclusion
Acne-prone skin is a real challenge for people all over the world. Fortunately, skincare products like Neogen can help your acne-prone skin. If you’re trying new products, always take note that you should introduce the skincare items one at a time. The slow introduction makes sure your face has got enough time to adjust to it.