Acne is a problem for most people, and it is, perhaps, the worst enemy of teenagers. Acne comes in various forms. There is the common pimple. Then there is the blackhead and the whitehead. Acne occurs when the pores are clogged with substances that may build up and cause complications. The skin’s pore is an opening where the hair follicle is found. But the follicle does not just contain the hair, it also has the oil glands, where oil is regularly released in order to soften the skin as well as get rid of dead skin cells. Sometimes, the oil glands produce too much oil that can block the pores. Together with the oil and dirt, microorganisms will also accumulate. This build up will cause inflammation of the pores and therefore the condition called acne.

Teenagers will usually experience acne because of the hormonal imbalance that increases oil production at the pores. If the skin is not properly taken cared of, it can complicate to acne vulgaris or cystic acne, where the face is filled with inflamed pores that can result to scarring. For many individuals, the condition will disappear as they reach the age of 25. But for some, the condition persists until they reach 40s or beyond. There are several ways to treat acne. By eating the right foods and having a healthy lifestyle, acne will be prevented. Below is some of the habits one can be practiced in order to eradicate acne from the face:

1. Cleanse your face

   Because acne is due to the clogged pores, the best solution therefore is to clean the face’s skin pores. To do this, clean face and massage the skin gently with soap that will not cause drying of the skin. Some of the soap brands suggested is Cetaphil and Neutrogena. Some individuals are using facial scrubs and astringents to clean the face, but this is not recommended since it further irritates the skin with some of its harsh ingredients. There are products that are marketed as mild; you can visit your dermatologist if these products are recommended. If acne is located by the hairline, make sure to shampoo regularly to keep away the dirt and bacteria from the skin. Always be reminded that excessive scrubbing is not recommended since it will irritate the skin more and cause more damaging skin condition.

2. Drink lots of water

   We have been taught to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Aside from the fact that it help in maintaining the amount of fluid in our body, it is also because water flushes the toxins away from the body. While research by the American Academy of Dermatology shows that the act of flushing away the toxins does not contribute much in healing acne problems, water is helpful in balancing the hormone levels in the body. Increasing testosterone, in the case of teenagers, and increasing progesterone levels, in the case of several women, causes the outburst of acne. By drinking lots of water, the hormone level is balanced and the flaring up of acne is controlled. Therefore, drinking more than eight glasses of water is recommended. It may or may not clear away the toxins from the skin that causes the skin damage, but it surely balances the body’s hormonal levels.

3. Indulge in Exercise

   There seem to be an interesting link between acne and exercise to prevent the increase in acne explosion. If exercise is good for the heart and other major internal organs, exercise is also good for the largest external organ – the skin. When one exercises, the flow of the blood towards the tissues and organs increases. Our blood contains the vital nutrients necessary to maintain the skin’s health. Exercise does not directly result to detoxification of the skin. The skin does not have the construct to help in the detoxification process. Instead, the liver is responsible for detoxifying the body. When one exercises regularly, there is increase in the blood flow. Toxins from the skin system are carried by the veins towards the liver for detoxification process.  And the heart pushes oxygenated blood towards the skin, providing the skin with the essential nutrients to make it healthier. Aside from this process, exercises are also a great stress reliever. When one exercise regularly, stress is reduced which is beneficial for the health of the skin.

4. Meditate to Combat Stress

   When the body is subjected to too much stress, whether it is physical or emotional stress, the inflammatory response is increased. It should be known that complications of clogging of the pore are due to the skin’s response to inflammation. When there is increase in stress hormones, the body always responds as if it is being attacked continuously. Harmless oil that clogged the skin pores are deemed by the body as enemy, so it fights it back by causing natural inflammatory responses. In order to reduce inflammation, which results to redness and swelling of the skin pores, stress must be controlled. Exercise helps in fighting stress. Another way is through meditation. When one meditates, the neuropeptides released by the nerve endings during stressful situations is reduced. These neuropeptides is also responsible for the several skin conditions in the body, such as acne. Meditating and doing breathing exercises regularly will not only relieve stress, but will also maintain the skin’s health, including the reduction of acne flare-ups.

5. Carefully Choose the products you apply on your skin

   Just because television personalities advertise products that promotes clear skin does not mean that it is also good for you. Many of the skin care products have harmful chemicals that may cause more damage to your skin than what it is supposed to do. According to WebMD.com, there are certain products to choose to reduce acne explosion if the goal is for self-medication. First, when choosing cleansers, choose only those which are formulated to reduce acne. For those who are experiencing inflammation of acne, products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid is recommended to clear away the acne sores. When using moisturizers, products that will reduce the exacerbation of acne include light, non-comedogenic moisturizers. Oil-free moisturizers that also have antibacterial properties are good in fighting acne. Lastly, when using make-ups, make sure to use only light make-ups. Heavy make-ups contribute to the clogging of the pores. If make-up substances are not cleaned, it causes more acne. When using make-up products, choose only oil-free products to reduce acne outburst.

Sources
acne.bestworldbucks.com
waterbenefitshealth.com
webmd.com
dailyheal.com
stress-free-mama.com
webmd.com