A Beginner’s Guide to Acne
The horror of a zit appearing on your face is something almost everyone has faced. We get it, acne is not fun, but unfortunately, it is a skin condition that affects many people. Approximately 50 million people get acne in America annually.
So if you feel like you alone are suffering, you’re not alone! If you are a teenager or a young adult, you’ve likely noticed those acne miracle products at the drugstore or seen a celebrity recommending a life-changing cream on social media.
Now you may want to buy these products to reduce swollen acne. But, let’s get this out there, no one product can rid your skin of acne, especially if it’s a skin condition that keeps coming back. What you need is knowledge; about your skin type, triggers, your immune system, and more to heal. So let’s embark on this journey together with a guide that will take your worries away.
Learn about your triggers
Acne is not necessarily caused by using a beauty product or eating too much chocolate. But these elements can trigger your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum (natural skin oil). Even though every person’s skin reacts differently to foods and skin products, here are some general acne triggers:
Comedogenic products:
Comedogenic products are those that clog your pores, these products can vary from skin primer to sunscreens. Therefore before buying a product, turn the bottle and read the ingredients. If it claims to be oil-free and non-comedogenic, you can use it without worrying.
Food items
If no one told you before, you should know that some foods can trigger your skin. So, try to avoid excessively sugary foods, dairy products, fast food, and whey protein powder. These foods will worsen your acne and even leave scars since most of them have free radicals.
Lifestyle changes to make
To beat acne, you need to change your lifestyle because a simple mask can treat the inflammation but it won’t eliminate the root cause. Here are some changes that benefit your skin from within.
Physical activities
You don’t have to start weight training or bulking up but you can start with a cardio exercise that makes you healthy. People have seen huge changes in their acne by being more active.
Tests for underlying diseases
Sometimes acne is a symptom of an underlying illness you are not aware of. Most of the time, a person goes through years struggling with acne and doesn’t find its cause. Some of the illnesses that can worsen your acne prone skin are:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
- Rosacea
- Keratosis Pilaris
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- Kidney infections
- Gastrointestinal infections
Reduce your stress levels
Increased stress levels can be a significant cause of acne. On days when you are more frustrated than usual, you might notice a few more pimples or just a cluster of acne on your cheeks.
So to combat stress acne, you need to learn to manage your stress levels well. Spend some quality time with yourself. Depending on your preference, you can go for a stroll in the park, take up swimming, read a book, watch a movie or sit on the balcony with a cup of tea. Anything that makes you happy should be your priority.
Allergies
You outgrow most allergies, but there are few that stick around till adulthood. So look out for those and remember that acne is not a disease itself; it can come and go as a symptom of an existing problem.
Keep a note of everything you consume and how it affects your skin. People who are lactose intolerant have reported getting more acne when they eat or drink dairy products.
Pick the right regimen
Now that you know things to avoid and the internal changes to make. It’s time treat your acne with external methods. Although sticking to a proper regimen is critical for your skin, it may seem like you need a hundred products recommended by influencers. But that is far from the truth. What you need is skin products that suit you well.
Cleanser
A cleanser is an essential item you should have in your skincare routine.
Dry skin
The cleanser should not contain sodium lauryl sulfate that dries out your skin and clogs your pores. The drier skin you have, the more dead skin can get stuck in your clogged pores.
Oily skin
Pick a cleanser that has 1.5-3% salicylic acid. This chemical exfoliator removes oil and grime from your skin and reduces the appearance of acne scars.
Toner
Toner is essential to maintain the PH level of your skin. But don’t use a toner that contains alcohol in it because that can strip the vital natural oils of your face.
Moisturizer
Even if your skin is inflamed with acne and feels oily, you need moisture and hydration in your skincare to get those skin cells healing.
Acne treatment
An over-the-counter acne gel or cream can work as spot treatment overnight. This is an extra helping hand for white blood cells that are tired of fighting bacteria on your skin.
Medication
To win the battle against acne, you need external and internal help. You can also get a round of antibiotics through an online doctor consultation.
At TelMDCare, we ensure you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home and face the world with your acne. We provide services online; you can get a virtual doctor’s consultation.
A dermatologist will guide you through your process and provide medications without prescriptions. Contact us for the best online doctors for consultations in Idaho. Starting $35 get the most affordable medical appointments and consultations in Iowa today.