Acne is one of those conditions that can plague you even if you do take fairly good care of your skin. Any clogged pore could lead to infection and swelling, and eventually, a multitude of blemishes. Before you know it, you could be dealing with serious acne. Nip acne in the bud with these helpful tips.

Most acne medications and even the pimples themselves, can make skin dry and tight. Acne-prone skin needs to be moisturized, you just need to get the proper moisturizers. Avoid anything that has oil or alcohol in them, as these can irritate the already compromised skin. Look for gentle, even natural lotions and creams that are made for acne-prone or very sensitive skin.

If you would like to reduce the size and color of your untimely breakouts, you may want to just try ice. The cooling effects will actually subside the swelling so the pimple is not as visible. Try icing before bed and you will wake up with a smaller, less noticeable pimple.

Avoid wearing makeup constantly if you suffer from acne. You need to keep your pores as clear as possible. When they become clogged with makeup, it only contributes to the creation of more blackheads and pimples. Wear a water-based makeup when you are going out, but on days when you don’t have to, give your skin a break.

Don’t over wash your face. Some people believe that having clean skin will cure their acne, but by using harsh chemicals often, or over drying your skin with so many washings per day, you can actually make acne worse by irritating and drying out your sensitive skin. Instead opt for once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once at night before bed, using a gentle and moisturizing cleanser.

To get started on the road to eliminating acne, start with a call to your doctor to find a dermatologist. The causes and related treatments of acne are numerous. It is possible to read quite a bit about it online and even attempt some proposed remedies on your own, but consulting with a trained professional who can diagnose and prescribe certain remedies, can save you a lot of time and money. It’s good to educate yourself about something, but why not take advantage of someone who has already studied the subject for years?

To combat facial acne, lay a clean towel over your pillow every night before going to sleep. Excessive skin oil is a huge factor in acne infections, and the speed with which your skin oils build up on your pillow is shocking. By treating your face to a completely clean surface for every night’s sleep you can prevent a harmful build-up of excess oil.

You should wash your pillowcases several times a week. If you do not have a washer and dryer at home, make sure you have plenty of pillowcases on hand between trips to the laundromat. Dead skin cells, hair products and other body products, get trapped in your bedding and can block and irritate your pores. Your pillowcases may not always match your bed-set, but you can rest assured your bedding won’t be contributing to future breakouts.

Applying aloe vera can help you keep acne under control. Aloe vera, an all-natural plant extract, is great for your skin in general. It is especially good for acne problems because it cuts down on the oil your skin naturally produces. Excess quantities of this oil tend to clog pores and contribute significantly to acne infection.

Indigestion from eating red meat can cause acne, too. Just like dairy, the body has a hard time digesting red meat. The body works so hard to break down the meat that it can’t effectively eliminate other toxins, leaving them to be released through the skin and causing acne. You don’t have to go vegan, but stick to the easily digested white meats and fish to spare your skin further abuse.

To keep from making acne breakouts worse, avoid popping pimples. If pimples get popped, the newly freed bacteria-filled substances can spread to surrounding areas of the skin and create new pimples. In addition, popping pimples simply creates more inflammation and redness in the area. Applying excess pressure can break delicate blood vessels, which leads to redness.

If nothing you have tried has worked to help clear up your acne, you may want to consult a doctor or dermatologist. They may be able to give you advice on things you can do to help clear acne up. If worst comes to worst you may have to take a medication to clear your skin up.

What you’ve just read throughout this article were many ways by which you can fight back against those annoying and ugly blemishes. Left untreated, acne will spread, grow, and bother you for years and years to come. Make sure you’re doing what you can to get rid of it. Make sure you’re using this information.

Acne Does Not Have To Control Your Life was originally published on Spring