Contrary to what many have heard, acne is not caused by dirty skin alone. There are several contributing factors and therefore, several effective tips for preventing and treating it. In this article, we will discuss some of the necessary steps you must take if you want to keep your skin clear.





witch hazel uses acneAlthough acne is the subject of many jokes about teenagers, it is a condition that negatively affects the self-esteem and psychological well-being of many young people. If you are a parent who would like to help your child deal with the emotional aspects of acne, there are resources available to help you with this process. Finding a reputable dermatologist who is trained to recognize the psychological effects of skin conditions is an important first step in relieving both the cause and the result of the acne. A counselor or psychologist can teach your teen how to cope with his or her feelings and alert you if the child is having any thoughts of suicide. Find out if there are any acne support groups in your area or search for an online forum for acne sufferers, that you and your son or daughter could join together. These precautionary measures could turn your despondent youth into a happy, carefree teenager again.



If you wear make-up you should make sure you remove it all before you go to sleep. If you don't, you'll find yourself experiencing a lot of breakouts. But if you remove the make-up and let the skin on your face breathe, you'll have less since the make-up won't be trapping the oils all day and night.



To help keep acne under control, change your pillowcase every day. Your pillowcase picks up dirt and oils from your hair, and then your face is in contact with all of that grime for hours a night. Buy some extra pillowcases to have on hand so don't have to wash them every day.



To reduce the redness that often comes with acne-irritated skin, stay cool. When your body overheats, it gets rid of the extra warmth by sending heat into your capillaries, where the heat can escape through your skin. Unfortunately, this creates a flushed look that can emphasize already-reddened pimples or broken capillaries. Have a cool drink, turn on the fan and avoid steam rooms and sunburns if you want to keep redness at bay.



Often foods will be the culprit of the acne that you have on your skin. If you notice that a specific food is causing your acne, try to limit it as much as possible. Ice cream, milk, cheese and other dairy products have been shown to increase acne.



Look for skin products that include salicylic acid if you are dealing with acne. This major ingredient combined with hydroxyl acids help the skin shed dead cells quicker.



It is important to reduce your stress levels if you are having difficulty getting rid of acne. Stress causes skin problems, so teaching yourself how to relax can cause a dramatic improvement in the way you look. Try exercising or using a breathing exercise to reduce your stress levels.



If you're struggling with acne, reconsider your diet. If you eat a lot of fried and greasy food, your skin may end up producing extra oil in response. Add more fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Try eliminating processed sugars found in candy bars. If you have any food allergies, steer clear of foods that cause them!



An important tip to consider when concerning acne is to consider adding foods to your diet that have a lot of zinc in them. This is important because zinc is a natural antibacterial supplement that, much like chromium, will help to ward off bacterial infections. A diet lacking in zinc will actually be a cause for acne to develop.



Spot treatments are very effective for treating small breakouts. This localizes the treatment, reducing the chance that it will harm other areas of the skin. These products often contain either salicylic acid, sulfer or benzoyl peroxide. There are a wide variety of homeopathic remedies available online.



If you are having issues with acne, your best bet would be to avoid any type of tanning, whether it be outside or in a tanning bed. You may be aware of how direct sunlight can aggravate your acne. Just as with natural light, the UV rays from a tanning bed can cause acne. Tanning is a bad thing to do when you are going through witch hazel acne treatment trouble.



If you are suffering from large patches of acne-infected skin, remember not to dry them roughly after showering or bathing. The vigorous rubbing you usually employ to dry off can be harmful for acne-prone areas, irritating the skin and helping the spread of infection. Pat afflicted areas dry as gently as possible.



If you are suffering from severe acne, it may be best to make an appointment with a dermatologist. They can prescribe a prescription medication that will be more helpful for clearing up acne, and many times will be covered by your medical insurance carrier. Ask friends or family for a recommendation to a good doctor.



Make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep every night to help prevent breakouts. Strive to receive at least 6 hours, preferable 8, of sleep in order to give your body a change to cleanse your system of toxins. Without enough rest your body will not be able to flush out harmful waist from your skin which can result in a breakout.



To prevent acne, avoid sugary products. Sugary foods and drinks can increase insulin levels which leads to increased levels of male hormones. These male hormones encourage the body to released higher levels of sebum, which in turn causes acne. Also, foods high in carbohydrates should be avoided. They also increase acne.



Dietary changes that include greater amounts of produce, lean protein and whole grain represent a great way to treat problem acne. Also, drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, and to flush the toxins out of your system. Try to get about 10 minutes of sun per day.



A great way to heal pimples is through the use of Neosporin. The ingredients are soothing, and antibacterial in nature. They will help with redness, irritation, and future scarring too. To use this method, simply apply a pea-sized amount of the Neosporin to a Q-Tip and keep it on. Don't use too much!



Acne is a visible annoyance, especially when you are a teenager. With the right treatment, it will clear up. When you are trying to fix your skin, the most important thing to do is have faith in yourself. Follow these tips with confidence, and watch your skin start to glow.