Acne Tips and Advice
Adult acne is no laughing matter. It can’t be dismissed as a “rite of passage” or a “change” that everyone is going through. Adult acne is a nuisance, and can affect individuals long after they have suffered from adolescent acne. I can attest to such a fact, as an individual who dealt with mild acne during adolescence, enjoyed clear skin for a period of 3-4 years, then was suddenly hit with an outbreak of acne that I couldn’t control in early adulthood—some pimples even coming in the form of severe, cystic acne.
One thing that I was unaware of were a few solid acne tips that could have helped me control the problem. I opted instead to medicate, visiting multiple physicians for the best treatment available. What eventually helped to clear my skin was a ditching of the acne meds, and the adoption of a simple skin care regimen and better diet.
Acne Tips for Adult Acne Sufferers
Adult acne is a completely different problem than that of teenage acne, however, the problem is caused by the same variables. In terms of acne tips, there is no greater advice than a quick understanding of how acne develops. Understanding the simple cause of acne opens up the doors to treating acne in the most efficient and effective manner.
Understanding Acne
The development of acne, whether in the form of blackheads, whiteheads or cystic acne, all occurs in the same manner. Acne is the result of the natural, skin renewal process as old skin cells die and shed from the surface to make way for new, healthy ones beneath. When these dead skin cells combine with bacteria that is living on the surface of the skin (the P-Acne bacteria to be specific), and clog a pore to combine with sebum from the sebaceous gland, a pimple will develop.
If the opening of the pore is wide at the surface, a blackhead (open comedome) will occur. If the opening of the pore at the surface is microscopic, a whitehead (closed comedome) will develop. If the infection occurs deeper in the skin, pushing toward the layer of subcutaneous tissue within the dermis, cystic acne will occur.
Now that you have a general understanding of the war that needs to be waged against the culprits causing acne, here are a few simple acne tips to assist in treating the problem at the root.
Treating Acne – Acne Tips
Yes, a great skin care regimen will help to effectively rid a complexion of acne, but one of the first things that should be addressed is the nature of the skin. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it will perform optimally when it receives what it requires from inside and out.
A simple acne tip: Drink more water. Cut sugary beverages out of your diet, except for rare occasions, and rely on water to offer balance. Along those lines, consider dietary choices and make wise decisions. Cut out excess of sugary, starchy foods and consume clean carbohydrates in the form of fruits and veggies, and low-fat proteins.
When developing a skin care regimen, simply address the three main factors that cause acne. A gentle exfoliation a couple times a day, and you’re fighting the battle against dead skin cells hanging on to the surface. Follow such a step with an astringent or toner to help repair the skin, and constrict the pores from offering easy access to follicles and the sebaceous glands.
Completing a regimen with the application of benzoyl peroxide will help to kill bacteria on the skin’s surface, as well as cleanse some of the excess sebum that may exist causing acne problems. A simple, 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide cream will do the trick, and can be followed by an oil free moisturizer.