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How To Get Rid Of Acne: 7 Helpful Skincare Tips
You thought when you said goodbye to your teen years, you'd outgrow this acne thing. But, unfortunately, that hasn't been the case. Instead, new pimples are appearing regularly, and you don't know if it's a battle you can win. You just don't know how to get rid of acne.
But there is hope! With the right skincare habits, you can get your acne under control and finally achieve the clear skin you've been dreaming of.
To help you accomplish this goal, we’ve put together this guide on how to get rid of acne. But first, let's look at what acne is and why it strikes.
Table Of Contents
- What Is Acne?
- What Causes Acne?
- How To Get Rid Of Acne: 4 Things To Do
- How To Get Rid Of Acne: 3 Things To Stop
What Is Acne?
Acne is a condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria. When the follicle becomes blocked, it can swell and become a pimple.
Acne is most common on the face but can also appear on the chest, back, shoulders, and neck. No matter where the pimples appear, they can cause tenderness, redness, and in some cases, scarring.
Common Types Of Acne
Not all acne is the same. Several different types of acne exist. Here’s a look at the most common.
- Blackheads and whiteheads: The most basic, recognizable type of acne, which appear as pimple-like bumps on the skin.
- Cysts: Large, painful pimples that can occur below the skin’s surface.
- Nodules: Similar to cysts, nodules are large, hard pimples that form deep within the skin. They're often very painful.
- Papules: Small, hard bumps that can form when blackheads and whiteheads become inflamed.
- Pustules: These pimples are similar to papules but contain pus.
If you aren't sure what type of acne you have, don't worry. A dermatologist can help you figure it out.
What Causes Acne?
Many factors contribute to the development of acne. The most common include hormones, genetics, and skincare habits. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.
Hormones
During puberty, an influx of hormones causes the skin to produce more oil. This excess oil can clog pores and lead to the formation of pimples.
Other hormonal changes can also trigger breakouts. These include stress, pregnancy, and certain birth control methods. So don't rule out hormones just because you're no longer a teenager dealing with puberty.
Genetics
If your parents or other family members had acne, you're more likely to develop it yourself. This is because acne is often hereditary. While you can't change your genes, you can take steps to help improve your skin.
Skincare Habits
Some people don't realize their skincare habits play a major role in the development of acne. Using the wrong products, for instance, can cause your skin to become dry, irritated, and inflamed, all of which can lead to breakouts.
Not washing your face regularly can also cause problems. That’s because dirt, oil, and other impurities can build up on your skin and clog your pores.
Fortunately, no matter what’s causing your acne, you can do some things to achieve clearer-looking skin.
How To Get Rid Of Acne: 4 Things To Do
1) Practice Skin-Healthy Shower Habits
Showering is a great way to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin. But if you're not careful, showering can actually make your acne worse.
To prevent that, follow these tips:
- Only shower when you need to. If your skin isn't dirty, there's no need to shower.
- Use lukewarm water instead of hot water. Hot water can strip the natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry, irritated, and more prone to acne breakouts.
- Avoid scrubbing your skin with a washcloth or loofah. Instead, use your hands to cleanse your skin gently.
- Keep your showers short. Aim for five to 10 minutes in the water to avoid drying out your skin.
- Use a mild, moisturizing cleanser, like the Bodewell Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Body Wash. Harsh soaps can dry out your skin, which can sometimes make acne worse.
- After showing, gently pat your body dry with a towel. Then, apply moisturizer to lock in hydration.
While changing your showering routine might take effort, it can make a big difference in your breakouts. So tweak one thing at a time, and before you know it, your showers will be helping you control your breakouts instead of making your acne worse.
2) Stay Moisturized
Often, we tend to think we need to take steps to dry out our skin to prevent breakouts since acne can be caused by oil buildup. But this is the opposite of what you should do.
Surprisingly, acne-prone skin can often be dry and irritated. When your skin’s too dry, your body kicks into overdrive, producing even more oil to compensate for the loss. This can lead to breakouts.
That’s why it's important to keep your skin moisturized. For the best results, you'll want to moisturize twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Use a light, non-greasy moisturizer that won't clog your pores.
3) Use The Right Skincare Products
As we hinted at above, the products you use on your skin every day really do matter. Instead of just going to the store and grabbing the cheapest skincare products off the shelf, be thoughtful about the products you choose.
Always take time to read the labels and look at the ingredients. You'll especially want to avoid parabens. These preservatives are found in many skincare and beauty products and may irritate your skin. That’s why we recommend looking for products that are paraben-free.
In addition, customers notice that our Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Body Wash and other skincare products make their skin feel fresh, clean, and hydrated.
Of course, whenever you try a new skincare product, we recommend patch-testing it before applying it all over your body. Begin by using a small amount of the product on a small area of your skin, such as your wrist, and then wait 24 hours to see how your skin reacts.
If you don't have any adverse reactions, such as redness, itching, or burning, it should be OK for you to use.
4) Work With A Dermatologist
If you've been struggling with acne for a while and nothing seems to be working, it may be time to seek professional help.
A dermatologist can work with you to create a customized treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes of your acne. This may include oral medication, topical treatments, or a combination of both.
How To Get Rid Of Acne: 3 Things To Stop
Now that you know what to do to get rid of acne, here are three things you need to stop doing if you want clearer-looking skin.
5) Picking
Picking at your acne can be tempting, but it's important to resist the urge. Not only can picking make your acne worse, but it can also lead to permanent scarring.
When you feel the urge to pick, try to distract yourself with something else. Take a walk, call a friend, or read a book. Anything that will take your mind off of picking will do.
Also, no matter how many addictive pimple-popping TV show episodes you watch, never try to pop your own pimples. Doing so may introduce bacteria into your skin, which can cause it to become infected.
6) Scrubbing
Scrubbing is one of the worst things you can do to acne-prone skin. And contrary to popular belief, you cannot scrub away your pimples. It simply won't work.
The only thing you'll be scrubbing away is the natural oils that protect your skin. And once those oils are gone, your body will produce more to compensate for the loss.
So, if you're wondering how to get rid of acne, make sure to avoid scrubbing your face. Instead, wash it gently with your fingers and let those natural oils do their job.
7) Eating A Lot Of Sugar
While the reason is not completely understood, some studies support the hypothesis that the Western diet (rich in animal products and fatty and sugary foods) is associated with the presence of acne in adulthood.
To get clearer-looking skin, you might want to try limiting sugar and saturated/trans fats while incorporating healthy fats, lean meats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and see if your condition improves.
Say Goodbye To Your Acne
Now that you know how to get rid of acne, here's one final tip: Be patient!
Your acne isn't going to disappear overnight magically. But if you try the above strategies consistently and use the right skincare products, you’ll see better skin days in your future.
References
American Academy of Dermatology Association Medical News Today PubMed
