Acne and Skin Care - What do I need to know about acne care ?

Skin care is important at any time of life but especially so if you have acne.  One of the secrets for keeping acne under control is maintaining the health of the skin as much as possible.  This means keeping the skin clean and protecting it from sources of damage like sunshine and harsh cosmetics.

Cleaning the Skin

Use a gentle soap or specialized skin cleaner for washing the face once or twice a day.  It is important not to scrub the skin as this will further aggravate the acne.  Just use a soft cloth to moisten the face and then apply the cleanser to all areas from the hairline to the neck.  Rinse the cleanser with plenty of water and pat your face drive with a soft towel.

Those with especially oily skin may need to use an astringent, but it must be used with care.  Only apply it to the parts of the face which are most oily and discontinue use if your skin becomes irritated.  It is best to consult with a dermatologist if you feel you need to use an astringent.

Hair care is also an important part of skin care.  Shampoo your hair two or three times a week and try to keep it off your face as much as possible.  Those with oily hair may need to wash their hair once a day.

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

A suntan may dry out the skin and make your acne less noticeable but this is only temporary.  As your skin becomes accustomed to sun exposure the acne will flare up once again, and in the meantime you are also risking skin damage that may cause it to age prematurely or even cause skin cancer.  Many of the medications used to treat acne cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunshine and more vulnerable to burning.  It is always best to wear a sunscreen when outdoors.

Choose Makeup with Care

The best choice for good skin care is to wear no makeup at all, but if you feel you must wear makeup choose some that will not clog the pores.  These products are labeled noncomedogenic, but they may still cause acne in some people.  Above all, avoid makeup with an oil base.  Read the labels carefully and use sparingly.

Shaving

Try both electric razors and safety razors to see which is more comfortable.  Don't use safety razors with dull blades -- change the blade every two or three shaves.  You may have to shave around blemishes to avoid cutting them, and be sure to soften the beard as much as possible with water and shaving cream.  If you happen have a lot of breakouts perhaps it is best to skip shaving that day.

Avoid Touching the Skin

As tempting as it may be too squeeze and pop those pimples, don't do it!  You are only inviting more trouble because the bacteria which causes pimples will spread.  Popping pimples can also lead to permanent scarring. See cure for pimples for more information.

Try to avoid touching your face as much as possible.  Many people do this unconsciously, but the hands are dirty and oily and can spread germs over greater areas of your skin.

Acne can be brought under control.  Medications are a great help in clearing up the skin and combating the bacteria which causes acne, but be sure to help it along as much as possible by taking good care of your skin.