The best methods to fight acne include a combination of prevention and better skincare.

Here are some of the things you can use to lessen and treat acne:

1. Get Regular Exercise

Regular exercise has been proven to help fight acne by combating negative stress levels that each of has has. However, make sure to aviod wearing tight lycra and nylon exercise clothes. These man-made fabrics tend to trap sweat and heat, creating an ideal environment to foster the growth of bacteria. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your clothing and equipment clean.

2. Use The Proper Cosmetics

To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that can give way to acne, use products labeled “noncomedogenic” or “oil-free.” Opt for “hypo-allergenic” perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. Coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes can cause reactions.

Sparkling facial colors may contain a flaky mineral called mica that has been known to cause skin irritations and clog pores. Use a lip gloss without a shiny finish for less pore-clogging. The more the shine, the higher then comedogenic content and the more your pores can clog.

3. Eat a Healthy Diet

Recent studies show that one’s diet does not play as large a role as once thought in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is best for your body is best for your skin. So, make sure that you take in proper levels of vitamins, minerals and supplements that are recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts. These include:

* Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic)
* Vitamin B Complex
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin E
* L-Carnitine
* Zinc

A good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals to help you with acne prevention.

4. Hormonal Treatment May Help

Hormones (or a lack of them) during later years - especially for women - frequently play a part in acne flare-ups. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne problems, referred to as hormonal acne, in the week prior to their menstruation.

Treatment options include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for those in their teen years. For adult women, oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) have been beneficial at times. Other options include systemic ointments, and prescription or over-the-counter products.

5. Follow a Healthy Skin Regimen

Harsh scrubbing or over-washing should be avoided, because this may cause skin irritation or lead to over-production of oil to replace what’s washed off. Use products that gently exfoliate and avoid products that contain alcohol.

6. Acne Products Are Available

Some of the better products on the market that help fight acne include:

* Benzoyl Peroxide
* Proactiv® Solution
* Salicylic Acid
* Retinoids
* Antibiotics
* Oral Contraceptives
* Anti-Androgens
* Isotretinoin (Accutane)

7. Advice for Shaving

Shaving can be a very good way of exfoliating or removing dead skin. This helps with the prevention and spreading of acne by not leaving this around to clog pores. And, for some light acne cases that have already started, shaving can help remove small whiteheads and blackheads that are there. Do not shave areas that are sore or infected and use shaving cream designed for sensitive skin.

Always use a razor with a sharp blade. Use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and don’t stroke “against the grain” Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin, but they help with the prevention of acne.

8. Avoid or Reduce Stress

Stress includes external and internal stressors. External stress factors are those that inhibit your skin’s ability to take care of itself, like oily make-up and over exposure to the sun. Internal stressors like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other internalized emotions, can produce chemical reactions inside the body that can result in acne flare-ups and other skin problems.

There is more information on How To Get Rid of Pimples and Acne here.

Technorati Tags: , ,