Blemishes Be Gone!

Although blemishes has long been considered a problem of teenagers, they don't always disappear when you get older. Adults can have skin problems too. Whatever your age, it’s wise to be careful what you put on your skin since it will be absorbed into your body.

Gently, Gently.

Scrubbing your face isn’t going to get rid of blemishes if you're prone to acne. In fact, if you rub your skin too roughly, it’s more likely to stir up more blemishes and aggravate ones you already have. That makes it important to clean your face gently.

A gentle face washing helps avoid irritation that will make acne worse. Don't even bother to use a washcloth. Just splash some water on your face, then lather up your hands with the mild cleansing wash or mild soap. 

Once you’ve washed your face, use a clean washcloth to gently pat the water off the skin until it’s dry.

The Use Of Benzoyl Peroxide.

Once your skin is completely dry, then use an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide. This is by far the best non-prescription medication you can use to control blemishes. Peroxide has been used to cleanse skin a long time, and benzoyl peroxide is also a mild drying agent.

Use 2.5% benzoyl peroxide as it has been shown to be just as effective as 5% or 10%, but won't irritate your skin so much. It's not too helpful to irritate your skin and make acne worse instead of better.

Starting with a small amount of medication is important. This medication is a drying agent and can cause redness and itchiness, so don’t slather on a bunch right from the beginning. The first time, use just enough medication to very lightly cover your skin the first time, then gradually increase the amount you’re using. Within a couple of weeks you should be slathering a good coating of medication on your skin.

Be especially careful to stay away from the tender skin under your eyes. It's not prone to break-outs anyway, and the skin there is thinner and more easier irritated that the rest of the skin on your face.

The Importance of Moisturizer.

Considering benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin, it’s important to apply moisturizer. Once your skin is completely dry, lightly apply moisturizer to your face. Give the moisturizer time to dry, and if you skin still appears dry or flaky, add some more.

It's quite important to apply the moisturizer even when first beginning to use benzoyl peroxide. This is to help your skin keep from drying out too much.

Is Diet A Factor?

Opinions vary in the scientific community as to whether diet has any effect on acne. It is known that too much iodine will aggravate blemishes, so don’t go overboard with the salt shaker if you’re using iodized salt, or eat too many iodine rich foods like clams, crabs or other shellfish.

If you notice that your skin tends to break out more after eating certain foods, however, ditch the scientific theory of the moment, and avoid those foods. Body chemistry and the effects of foods and other substances on our body is so complex, that scientists don’t always have the definitive answer. (How many drugs have been okayed as safe, only to discover at a later date they have bad, or even lethal, side effects?)

Quick Tips.

When you have a blemish and need help quick, try one of the following:

• If you run out of benzoyl peroxide and have a blemish, try using a little calamine lotion. This absorbs the excess oil, getting rid of the blemish.
• Once you've washed your face, use an ice cube for 60 seconds on any blemishes. The chill helps reduce the inflammation and make them less noticeable.
• No, don't squeeze! That may seem to make it heal more quickly, but will irritate the surrounding skin and may cause more blemishes.
• Steer clear of oil based make-up. An oil based make-up is especially bad for blemish prone skin. If you wish to use make-up, look for fragrance-free types that are meant for people with sensitive skin.

Clear Skin For Everyone.

Nobody wants acne, but a good skin care regimen can usually help or totally eradicate the problem. 

Clear skin is the clear goal.