The skin performs so many roles that it is almost impossible to list them all in just one article.
These functions show how important your skin is and how serious you should be in taking care of it. Here are a couple of our skin’s superpowers:
- The skin guards the body against the outside interferences, acting both as a fence and as a filter.
- It assists in regulating the body temperature. If you have a fever or you’re physically working too hard, the body attempts to regulate or lower the temperature through sweat.
- The skin also protects us from destructive elements entering our body and at the same time, it’s the outside gate for toxins.
However, these things might not be worth a damn compared to what the majority of people are facing on a daily basis: acne. If you’re one of them, constantly dealing with, let’s call it a “skin disorder”, then hear me out:
1. You are not alone
Acne is the most common skin disorder in the world, affecting millions and millions of people and influencing their lives on a daily basis.
Almost 90% of the people will have to face with acne during their life, so keep that in mind next time you’re ready to turn the issue into a big drama.
2. Never ever sleep in your makeup
It not only ages you but you will break out – it might not show up for a day or two but it will happen. Always keep makeup wipes on your nightstand or in your purse for those days you are just too tired to wash your face before bed.
3. Wear sunscreen
I can not stress this point enough. Studies have shown that sun exposure affects the first layers of the skin, with short-term effects like burns and long-term ones associated with wrinkles and even skin cancer.
You know the story with the gentleman who drove a truck for a living. The left side of his face stayed out of the sun, the right side was exposed every day for years. Can you tell a difference?
4. You are what you eat
I don’t mean that if you eat greasy foods or chocolate it will break you out. I mean some people do get breakouts from dairy.
Studies show that a series of factors, including carbohydrate-rich foods and dairy, may trigger acne.
5. Have patience
It takes four to six weeks before you start seeing any noticeable result from a new skincare product. This is because it takes that long for your skin to turn over the seven layers of skin you are currently wearing to start over fresh.
6. Be gentle with your pimples
Do not pick at your pimples with your fingernails(notice I didn’t say at all). There are safe ways to properly pick without risking infection and the spreading of bacteria.
7. Pick the right pimples
If you’re going to pick anyway, do not try to pick a pimple that is not ready to be popped. If it does not have a head (the white puss pocket on the surface of the skin), do not attempt to pick it. It will just wind up pushing the bacteria further in the pore and it won’t go away any quicker if you had just left it alone.
8. Prevention is far less pricey than correction
It is far easier to prevent sun damage and wrinkles than to try to go back and correct the damage. Trust me, it can cost you thousands and still not get the results you were hoping for.
Ladies, I recommend a good anti-aging eye cream starting around the age of thirty.
9. Exfoliation is good once or twice a week
Do not overdo it! The thing to keep in mind is the goal of exfoliation, which is making your skin look healthier.
Usually, oily skin has an excess amount of dead cells on the skin surface. Exfoliating removes dirt and oil build up, clears breakouts and unclogs pores. Regular exfoliation keeps the pore clear and helps fade the appearance of acne scarring.
And the most important tip:
10. Do not feel embarrassed about your skin
Maybe you’re one of those women who never go out in public without makeup, because of your acne. All you can do is keep it under control and try your best not to add fuel to the fire.
That’s all anyone can do really, just know and keep telling yourself that at least you won’t age as quickly as others with dry or normal skin. The extra oil will keep your skin lubricated enough to slow down some of the aging processes.
These are ten of the most essential tips that anyone should know about how to protect their face skin and deal with acne.
A Popular Remedy for Acne: Baking Soda
Next, I want to share with you a quick home remedy for acne, based on a popular ingredient you might have at home: baking soda.
Baking soda to treat acne? Yep! Baking soda works by drying up the oil on the surface of your skin. This speeds up the healing of existing blemishes and preventing future ones.
Ladies, rinse off any makeup or products on your face! Then with your face still wet make a baking soda paste. Use three parts of baking soda and one part water.
The paste should be thick enough that it stays on your face without running off, and not so thick as you can not massage with it. Then apply the baking soda mask to your still wet face in a circular motion. Massage one to two minutes tops. Then rinse your face with water until all is removed.
As a rule of thumb, don’t leave the baking soda on your face too long as it can dry out your skin! If you’re using this treatment every day or twice a day apply an oil-free moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin baking soda will cause your face to sting a little when applying.
Your turn now!