Acne Control Basics
by Frank Senturi
Most adult acne sufferers had probably thought that this affliction would pass with the end of their teenage years. They thought that once the raging hormones of adolescence slow down, their acne would clear up as well. For some people that did not happen and controlling acne has become something to be concerned with during adult life as well. Luckily, there are many weapons in the battle to treat acne .
The essential methods of acne control are to keep pores from getting clogged, unclog infected pores, attack the bacteria causing the infection, and reduce the redness associated with acne. There are many preventive measures that you can take to reduce the chance of having an acne breakout in the first place.
Washing the face twice daily using a gentle soap and warm water will go a long way toward preventing the clogging of your skin pores. Beyond that, cleansing your skin with benzoyl peroxide will also help it dry out. Benzoyl peroxide is the active substance found in cleaning wipes such as Oxy Pads. A major benefit of benzoyl peroxide is that it can be used in conjunction with other acne treatment products.
Exfoliation is one more method of acne control. Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. These dead cells can cause acne breakouts by clogging the active oil glands in the skin, especially those found on your face. Exfoliation can also make your skin much softer and healthier. One drawback is that some exfoliating products can be very harsh, so a new product should first be tried out on a small area of the skin before applying it to the entire face.
You’ll find that many acne products perform a dual function. They both exfoliate your skin and contain anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory medicines. Not only will this clear your skin of the dead cells, but it will also fight the bacteria associated with acne outbreaks and helps to lessen the redness due to inflammation.
Common ingredients in other acne products are azelaic acid and sulfur. It is wise to test any product before using it on your entire face. If the product you intend to use contains salicylic acid, you should be very cautious. It can be effective in preventing the clogging of your pores, but is very harsh and irritating to the skin of the face.
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