Pimples and acne stem from a combination of excess oil, inflammation and a bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes. As soon as the top of a pore is clogged, the body goes after the bacteria and you develop a sore lump or bump on the skin. It should be noted that pores don’t always get clogged with oil. You may also be dealing with pores clogged by dead skin and other debris. If you can’t use the prescription acne products because the side effects are too unpleasant, the tips below can help.
Clean Gently but Clean Often
One of the mistakes that those trying to treat their pimples and acne at home is to try to dry the skin out. However, because dead skin cells and flaky skin can actually contribute to the problem, over-drying the skin through excessive washing is not a good choice. Do your best to exfoliate regularly and cleanse your skin at multiple points in the day. Additionally, try to use a light moisturizer free of oils and fragrances on your skin each day before you apply any cosmetics and after you cleanse.
Consider using an antibacterial toner between washes. For example, you can use a very mild tea tree oil tincture as a toner. Tea tree oil is an essential oil. If you choose to use any essential oils on your skin, do make sure you invest in organic products. Also make sure you do a small test. A simple tea tree oil toner is blended at 10 parts water to 1 part tea tree oil. You may need to blend this with an eye dropper to get the mix right. When you’re done with your toner mix, use a bleach-free disposable applicator to dab the toner on the inside of your wrist or elbow. Let it completely dry and monitor the spot for 24 hours. If you have no redness or irritation, you can put the next blend on your face. There are also holistic toners that can be made with a combination of apple cider vinegar and water.
You may or may not have good luck with this; again, you will want to test your blend on a spot inside your arm. Some people find that apple cider vinegar can lead to irritation. None of these homemade products should ever be used near the eyes. Finally, remember that the first step to washing your face is washing your hands. The grooves in your fingertips have lots of space for toxins and bacteria. Take the time to fully scrub and rinse your hands before you touch your face.
Do your best to avoid squeezing any existing pimples as well; the bacteria trapped in the pimple will just get spread over the rest of your face if you squeeze them. As you cleanse, tone and moisturize, pay special attention to what you put into your body. For every caffeinated beverage, drink 8 ounces of water. Each time you fill your plate, do your best to leave at least 1/3 of the space for raw vegetables. Instead of chips for a snack, have a piece of fruit. Cut out processed sugars and white flour for 3 months and monitor your skin.
Will you still get pimples? Probably. However, moving away from processed foods and drinking more water will probably lessen the severity of your breakouts over time. Carefully review your sleeping space. If your pillows and blankets smell of air freshener, the constant exposure to fragrances may actually be increasing your risk of inflammation. If nothing else, do your best to use a very soft pillowcase that you either hand wash or wash in the delicate cycle and allow it to air dry.
Finally, do your best to control your stress. For teens with acne, it can be hard to get enough sleep or to eat healthily on a regular basis. Stress management is something we can all work on. Try to provide yourself with quiet time each day to note positive experiences and events. Keep a gratitude list for days when things are tough. Learn to meditate via guided recordings of your choice so you can take the pressure off yourself and lower your stress level. Your skin will thank you! We can help, call now 205-352-9141.
