9 simple ways to Prevent Breakouts
Aren’t breakouts
supposed to stop when you get out of puberty? What happens when they don’t? How do you
prevent and clear up pimples when you’re in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and beyond?
Not
only do breakouts have the tendency to make you self-conscious because it looks
like a huge crater has landed on your face, but they also seem to happen at the
worst time. It’s like your face knows when you have
a class reunion or a hot date that you want to look perfect for because,
without failure, two days in advance you’ll start to see the red bump begin
to form.
While
some breakouts are hormonal (changes around that time of the month or menopause
throw your body into all sorts of tail spins), there are still things you can
do to prevent a majority of them and save yourself acne related anxiety.
For
the best shot at a clean, clear face, follow these basic guidelines:
1. Wash Regularly
It goes without
saying that if you regularly sleep in your make-up, your skin is going to
retaliate. It’s like wrapping your face in saran
wrap and never taking it off. Your skin has to be able to breathe.
Even if you don’t wear make-up, you’re not exempt from having to suds
up. Your face collects dirt and grime all day long, and you have to get it off
if you want your skin to look supple and healthy.
For proper skin
caree wash twice a day – once in the
morning and once at night before bed And, if you exercise, you’ll want to wash then too to get the
dirty sweat off your skin. A clean face is a happy face
2. Use the Right Kind of Soap for Your Skin Type
This is where a
lot of women go wrong. They buy the wrong kind of soap
and end up over
drying or upsetting their skin simply because they just grab the first soap
they see on the shelf at the store.
Make sure you
purchase a soap that works for your skin tone; whether it’s oily, dry or combination. You’ll find that when you do, you’ll actually look more radiant and
your make-up will apply easier because your skin will be smooth and clear.
If all types of
soap seem to upset your face, you may have sensitive skin. There are a lot of
options out there for this situation too, so make sure you get one that
specifically says it’s for that
condition.
3. Exfoliate Weekly
Your skin is
constantly dying and regenerating itself. Kind of gross to think about, huh?
But, it’s true. Your skin grows, dies,
flakes off and grows again.
So, if you want it
to look healthy, remove your dead skin through exfoliation. You can buy exfoliating scrubs or the little
hand-held machines that more or less buff the dying skin away. Some spas even
offer exfoliating facials.
Try to do this
once a week so that the old skin doesn’t clog your pores,
causing unsightly blemishes. Don’t do it any more
than that though, or you’ll actually risk
damaging your skin. This is one instance where it is possible to have too much
of a good thing.
4. Moisturize Properly
If
you use the wrong moisturizers, you can be clogging your pores instead of just
helping to keep them moist. Again, make sure you buy one that is appropriate
for your skin type.
One
thing to keep in mind is that your skin may require different levels of
moisturizing during different seasons. Perhaps it gets drier in the summer when
you spend a lot of time in the sun, or during the winter when the air is less
humid.
Also,
there are different moisturizers available for day and night time. If you have
any question about which ones are right for you, lots of department stores have
helpful personnel behind the make-up counters that can help you.
5. Keep Your Hands off Your Face
This
is a big one. The more often you touch your face, the more you’re contaminating
it with the germs that are on your hands, and the more likely pimples will
appear as a result.
For
your best chance at having skin that is flawless, be very conscious of how much
you rest your cheeks in your hands, rub your forehead when you’re stressed or
caress your chin when you’re thinking.
In
fact, try to stop touching your face altogether. Not only will you have better
skin as a result, but you’ll also suffer fewer colds and flus because your hands are the biggest germ carriers there are.
6. Don’t Pick at Your
Pimples
It
may seem like you’re speeding the healing process by
getting your pimples to pop, but you’re actually doing more damage than
good. One, you’re breaking open your skin which
increases your risk of scarring and allows germs to get inside and possibly get
infected. Two, you’re likely making them bigger and
more red than they were initially.
If
you notice a pimple starting to form, let it run its course. Add some concealer to it and hide it the best you can
if it makes you self-conscious. But, the more you mess with it, the longer it
will likely stay and the worse it will look.
7. Take Some Time to De-stress
When
you’re under pressure
and don’t relax, your body
retaliates in lots of ways, one of which is through your skin. So, when you’re feeling like
life is throwing a lot at you, make sure you deal with the stress
appropriately.
Get
in some exercise or go out and have fun. Share some laughs with family or talk
to a friend. Let the stress out before it shows on your face – literally.
8. Watch Your Sugar Intake
If
you have too much sweet stuff in your diet, you’ll likely see the effects in the
mirror the next morning. Sugar inflames your body in many ways, and the pores
on your face are just one of them.
Try
to limit the amount of soda, chocolates and desserts you consume; especially
when it’s that time of the
month when your body is more sensitive. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll look better as
well.
9. Stay Hydrated
If
you don’t drink enough
water, one of the first places you’ll see it is in your face. Water
helps flush all the toxins, like the gunk that’s in blemishes, out of your system.
Get
in your six to eight glasses a day. You’ll reduce your risk of pimples and
keep your face looking young and healthy.
Sometimes
you just can’t stop a break out. But, if you
follow these simple little steps, at least you’ll minimize the amount you get and
shorten their life expectancy; both of which are a good thing.