Zap Blemishes

Though commonly thought of as a problem for teenagers, blemishes don't always disappear when you get older. Unfortunately, adults can and do have blemishes too. Whatever your age, it’s wise to be careful what you put on your skin since it will be absorbed into your body.

Gentle Washing Is Key.

If you have blemishes, scrubbing your face isn’t going to get rid of them. It turns out it does the opposite. If you rub your skin too roughly, it’s more likely to stir up more blemishes and aggravate ones you already have. It’s better to gently clean your face.

Washing your face gently will help avoid irritation that will make acne worse. Don’t even use a washcloth. It's better to 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.

Control Blemishes With Benzoyl Peroxide.

Be sure your skin is completely dry, then use an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide. This is the best active ingredient in non-prescription medication you can use to control blemishes. Peroxide has long been used to cleanse skin, 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%, and doesn't irritate your skin as much. It wouldn't make sense to irritate your skin and make acne worse instead of better.

It's quite important to start with a SMALL amount of medication. Because this medication is a drying agent and can cause redness and itchiness, so don’t slather on a bunch right from the beginning. For starters, just enough medication to very lightly cover your skin the first time, then gradually increase the amount you’re using. By the time a couple of weeks have passed, you should be giving your skin a good coating of medication.

Be certain to stay away from the tender skin under your eyes. This skin is thinner and more easier irritated that the rest of the skin on your face, and not likely to break-out anyway.

Moisturizer.

Benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin, so it’s important to apply moisturizer. Allow the medicine to soak in and wait for your skin to completely dry, then lightly apply moisturizer to your face. Once the moisturizer is completely dry, if you skin still appears dry or flaky, add some more.

Be careful to apply the moisturizer even when first beginning to use benzoyl peroxide. This prevents your skin from drying out too much.

Is Diet Important?

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

Don't pay attention to scientific theories, however, and if you notice that your skin tends to break out more after eating certain foods, quit eating them. There are so many factors since body chemistry and the effects of foods and other substances on our skin is so complex, that scientists don't always know the answer. (How many drugs have been considered safe, only to discover later they have bad side effects?)

More 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 will soak up the excess oil and get rid of the blemish.
• Once you've washed your face, use an ice cube for 60 seconds on any blemishes. The cold from the ice cube 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.
• Don't use oil based make-up. An oil based make-up is especially bad for acne prone skin. If you want to wear make-up, make sure to use types meant for people with sensitive or acne prone skin.

The Desire Is For Clear Skin.

Considering no one wants acne, it's helpful that but a good skin care regimen can usually help or totally eradicate the problem. 

Clear skin is the clear goal.