Acne treatment dos and don’ts

Jun 01, 2011 7:02 AM by Christina Caldwell

Posted in Beauty & Style / Makeup & Skin Care / Skincare

To Cleanse Or
Not To Cleanse

There’s plenty of conflicting information about acne. The answers are never clear. Do you choose clinical, chemical treatments or natural, homeopathic ones? Is the high-end acne treatment better than the drugstore solution? We’ve compiled a list of acne treatment dos and don’ts to give you real, definitive answers.

Woman popping pimple

Do...

Exfoliate

Exfoliation is a crucial part of effective skin care, even for easily irritated, acne-prone skin. Instead of an abrasive scrub, discover your other options. An alcohol-free toner will clean and open pores, leaving a balanced and calm epidermis, all while removing dead skin cells.

Cleanse

Acne can be caused by stress, dirt and oil. Eliminate dirt and excess oil to eventually alleviate the stress of acne. Cleansing removes dirt, make-up, excess oil and impurities, but be sure to find a cleanser that works for you. Harsh chemicals can dry skin out, causing it to break out even more.

Moisturize

Some acne-prone ladies swear by jojoba oil, which is actually a thin, natural wax that takes the place of an over-the-counter moisturizer. Others stick to their chosen brand. Whatever the case, moisturizing acne-prone skin helps blemishes heal faster and balance itself.

Go with your gut

If a friend recommends an acne treatment and it isn't working, move onto the next thing. There's no use in spending a few more weeks breaking out just because it worked for someone else. Once you find a method that works, stick with it.

Don't...

Over-cleanse

While cleansing once a day can be fantastic for acne-prone skin, washing more than twice a day can make the cleanser's ingredients work against you. Cleanse the skin only when something needs to be removed like dirt or make-up. Otherwise, simply rinse with warm water. This will remove excess oil and maintain moisture.

Scald, scrub and rub

Think of your skin as a fine silk. You wouldn't try to burn or scrub a stain out of a silk blouse with abrasive tools, so you shouldn't do it to your skin either. Instead, be as gentle as possible. Irritation will only cause more breakouts.

Use too many products

Use one cleanser, one exfoliant and one moisturizer. That way, if your face starts to break out, you can easily discover what's ailing your sore skin. Using too many products can increase the possibility of a chemical reaction, which can cause breakouts and irritation.

Pick or pop

While popping a pimple might make it go away faster, it will also leave a dry, noticeable scar in its wake. Let blemishes run their course and naturally go away instead. You'll be scar and redness-free. Popping that pimple might seem like a good idea right now, but leaving it alone will ensure you have smooth, healthy, even skin in the long run.