Wash your face daily and properly
Whether or not you have acne (also called pimples), washing your face twice a day to remove dirt, sweat, and excess oil is necessary. But avoid washing more than twice a day because this might do more harm than good.
How to wash your face properly?
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Wet your face with lukewarm water, not hot water.
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Use Stop Acne Sabonete, a bar of mild soap for washing your face with acne, pimples, and blackheads, or apply an alcohol-free cleanser in a circular and gentle motion with your fingers.
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Then rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel.
For emergencies, it is okay to wipe up your face with a stash of face wipes, i.e. when you get home too late and are exhausted from washing your face.
Know your skin type to select suitable skincare products
Acne can hit everyone, no matter your skin type. But oily skin is the most acne-prone because your skin’s sebaceous glands reduce too much oily sebum. Also, combination skin might cause acne since this skin type has both oily and dry areas.
By knowing your skin type, you easily select the right skincare products. For an effective product, you need to pay attention to these ingredients, including:
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Salicylic acid helps unclog pores, get rid of blackheads, and exfoliate.
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Benzoyl peroxide removes acne-causing bacteria.
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Retinoids activate cells to shed and prevent them from clogging.
You can buy acne products that have any one of these ingredients at a store or online without a prescription. Try 1 or 2 products and give them time to work (at least 6 to 8 weeks). Do not change a different one every few days, or it only irritates your skin and makes new breakouts.
Exfoliate gently and regularly
Gentle exfoliation helps deal with acne by removing the top layer of dead skin cells before they can join with oil and block pores. Although there are many kinds of exfoliation products, it is best to make a homemade one by using salt or sugar.
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Mix equal parts of salt (or sugar) and coconut oil.
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Gently rub this mixture on your skin with a soft and clean facial brush. Do not use a brush because it can keep bacteria.
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Then rinse well.
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Exfoliate up to twice per week.
In case you have delicate skin, you should consult your dermatologist before doing so.
Moisturize your skin
If your skin surface is dry and dehydrated, the oil glands easily produce more oil and this will make acne/pimples worse. Hence, hydrating your skin surface with a suitable moisturizer will rebalance the oil glands, control acne, and improve healing.
To help stop acne breakouts, you should find an oil-based and lightweight pH-balanced product. Use it after washing your face or whenever your skin feels dry. In case you prefer a natural remedy, aloe vera is the best choice because this tropical plant includes sulfur and salicylic acid, which are popular for dealing with acne.
How to use it?
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Scrape the gel from an aloe plant out
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Apply it directly to clean your skin. Or you can mix it with tea tree oil or tretinoin cream.
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Repeat 1 or 2 times per day or as desired.
You also buy aloe vera gel from the store, but make sure to check it is pure aloe and has no added ingredients.
Limit or skip makeup but remember to wear sunblock
Minimizing the use of cosmetics can be a prudent choice when aiming for flawless skin, as makeup often conceals imperfections while potentially exacerbating the very issues we seek to hide.
In the quest for a healthier complexion, it's advisable to gravitate towards cosmetics that are more aligned with nature, free from excessive chemicals and dyes. Opt for oil-free formulations that carry the reassuring labels of being sheer, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic. It is also crucial to establish a diligent nightly ritual for makeup removal to prevent clogged pores and potential breakouts.
Shielding your skin from the sun's harmful rays is imperative, especially if you're undergoing acne treatment that renders your skin more susceptible to sun damage. As a safeguard, consider limiting your sun exposure and adorning yourself in protective clothing. Prior to stepping outdoors, don't overlook the importance of applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, ensuring it's absorbed into your skin at least 20 minutes before venturing out. When perusing sunscreen options, always keep an eye out for the "noncomedogenic" designation on the label, as this will reduce the likelihood of new acne formations.
Avoid touching your face too often
Throughout the course of your day, your hands come into contact with various sources of bacteria and dirt. Unbeknownst to you, you may unconsciously engage in face-touching behaviors, such as rubbing your tired eyes or resting your chin in your hand. These seemingly innocent actions can potentially transfer pore-clogging impurities to your delicate facial skin.
To maintain skin health and cleanliness, it's crucial to adopt a conscious approach towards minimizing contact between your hands and your face. Begin by cultivating the habit of regularly washing your hands to eliminate any accumulated contaminants. Simultaneously, make a concerted effort to reduce the frequency with which you touch your face.
Furthermore, it's imperative to exercise caution when dealing with facial blemishes, such as pimples. Resist the urge to use your fingers to squeeze or pop them, as these actions can exacerbate inflammation and lead to unsightly blemishes. However, if you absolutely must address a pimple, particularly if it has come to a head, exercise care and ensure your hands are clean. Consider using cotton-tipped applicators to minimize the risk of scarring.
Feed your skin with a healthy diet
If you wonder how to stop acne naturally, the best way is to tailor your diet. Do you know that high-protein and low-glycemic foods play a vital role in improving acne [1]? Let’s check out these top foods and add them to your diet to build up your skin’s defense.
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Kale: Make a cup of kale smoothie or saute it as a side dish for lunch or dinner. Vitamin C in this low-calorie superfood will help promote collagen formation and repair acne scars quicker.
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Lemon: Squeeze fresh lemon into a cup of warm water and drink it on an empty stomach every morning. This fresh juice works as a natural astringent, which helps blur blemishes and tighten skin texture.
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Sweet potatoes: A creamy soup of sweet potatoes or baked fries is an easy way to get good benefits for your skin all year.
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Papayas: These yummy fruits are fabulous in smoothies, salsa, or sorbet. You can try it topically to exfoliate dead skin cells, fade acne scars, unclog pores, prevent any breakouts, and hydrate skin.
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Pumpkin: A tasty soup of pumpkin or add pumpkin puree into pancake batter or roast their seeds. Loaded with good enzymes, this fruit can restore pH balance and regulate the amount of oil production effectively.
Also, you should cut down on junk food high in processed sugar, greasy foods, and some dairy products that might trigger acne. Or if possible, adding supplements for skin also helps nourish your skin and prevent acnes from forming.
Control stress
Stress does not create acne, but the hormones released during stress might promote sebum production and inflammation, making acne worse [2]. Moreover, stress badly affects gut bacteria, which might be linked to acne and slows wound healing, which delays the repair of blemishes.
Reducing stress is easier said than done. But you can try anything that makes you feel relaxed like listening to music, going to bed early, practicing yoga, taking a warm bath, meditating, or taking deep breaths.
Visit your dermatologist
If self-treatment is not enough to stop acne on your face, you should visit and talk to your dermatologist. They will troubleshoot your skin conditions and give a suitable treatment regime to prevent acne and clear your skin.
Now you do not ask yourself “how can I stop acne on my face” after reading all the advice above. And even if none of them show results in at least 2 months, you can visit your dermatologist for further recommendations.
