Say Bye to Breakouts: 5 Acne-Fighting Tips

Acne: the bane of every middle school experience. Redness, bumps, and embarrassment can make this condition challenging and infuriating to deal with. And even adults can struggle with this skin condition and its unfortunately visible symptoms. Fighting acne can often make it worse, as even your best efforts can be futile in the early going.

Every body and face is different, so acne treatment isn’t a cookie-cutter solution that works for everyone. There will be a lot of trial and error. Nevertheless, there are some common treatments that are worth giving a try to get rid of your acne once and for all:

Try a Prescription

There’s nothing wrong with looking for medical assistance when dealing with acne. It’s OK to admit that you have a problem with acne and you need help taking care of it. There are so many great treatments and medications at your disposal if you choose to look into them.

If you don’t know where to start, try looking at getting an acne prescription online. You can get a consultation from the comfort of your own home. You can even get your prescription delivered to your door to avoid a trip to the pharmacy.

There are over-the-counter options available as well, if you’re only trying to manage a minor breakout. Spot treatments or pimple patches can help with a singular pesky pimple. If you’re not seeing the results you hoped for, or dealing with persistent acne, start looking into a prescription.

Ramp Up Your Cleaning Routine

How you clean and treat your skin is very important when it comes to fighting acne. It should go without saying that showering and cleaning your face is essential. However, there are some products and cleaning habits that are more effective at fighting acne than others.

Powerful, harsh soaps might sound like a good way to scrub acne away, but they can actually damage your skin even further. The same can be said for vigorous scrubbing. This can damage your skin and create more openings that can become infected. Gentle, frequent cleaning can still be effective at getting rid of acne.

Besides washing your face, it’s important to keep the items your skin comes in contact with clean. This includes your pillowcases, sheets, and towels. These areas can accumulate dead skin, dirt, sweat, and body oil, which can all clog pores. It’s recommended that you wash your sheets once a week.

Change Your Diet

Your skin health is heavily impacted by what you eat on a regular basis. Certain foods cause your skin to produce more oil, while others help you quickly clear out any toxins. Watching what you eat can have a surprising effect on your skin health.

As a general rule of thumb, healthier food tends to be better for your skin. Greasy foods and sugary treats are the biggest offenders when it comes to aggravating the skin. On the other hand, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have a more beneficial impact.

You don’t have to cut out junk food entirely to get rid of acne, but you do need to moderate your intake. Try calorie counting, meal planning, or downloading a meal tracking app to watch what you eat more effectively. The healthier you can make your diet, the better you will be able to fight off your acne.

Get Some Exercise

You might not realize it, but regular exercise can help clear up your skin. While your first concern might be the sweat and oils that come from exercise, this is actually opening up your pores. This helps clear out bacteria and dirt that have settled into your skin. Take a prompt shower after exercising and your skin will start feeling better right away.

Exercise can help balance some of the hormone levels in your body that may be attributing to breakouts. If you’re breaking out due to stress, exercise can boost dopamine, which decreases stress. Regular exercise can also help balance your blood sugar and decrease stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Even light exercise can stimulate blood flow and lower inflammation, one of acne’s primary symptoms.

The most important thing when it comes to exercise is consistency. Twenty minutes of exercise five times a week will be more effective than a two hour workout just on Saturday. A combination of cardio and strength training is often recommended to maximize health benefits.

Manage Your Stress

Stress is a key contributor to acne development. Even if you’re doing everything you can physically to keep your skin clear, psychological distress can still lead to breakouts. Managing your stress will be the final blow when it comes to winning the war against acne once and for all.

Life is full of stressors, so managing your overall stress can be easier said than done. Start with something small that’s easier to manage. This could be as easy as cleaning your room over the weekend so your sleeping and thinking space is less cluttered. Cleaning out your email inbox, car, or refrigerator can have similar effects.

Major stressors might need some more intervention. Don’t be afraid so seek outside help if you really need it. A visit with a counselor can be a life-changing adjustment. As your mind and body achieve homeostasis, your face will soon follow.

You may lose a few battles with acne, but you don’t have to lose the war. Just keep on fighting and trying new things until you find the solution that ultimately gets the job done. It will take some experimenting, but these tips are a great place to start.