Eighty-five percent of teen-agers have acne, according to an article at zerozits.com. Yet only slightly more than 1 in 10 ever seeks treatment for the condition, which if untreated, can leave scarring on the face and back. Acne is actually an infection of your pores, caused when bacteria enters and infects a whitehead or blackhead. Acne has a strong genetic component, too, so if your parents had acne, it’s likely that you will. Preventing acne is a tall order, but it can be done, although it has nothing to do with eating less chocolate or greasy foods.
Clean Skin
Acne is caused when pores get clogged with oil (called sebum) secreted onto the skin. The best way to avoid acne is to keep your skin clean. Wash your face twice a day with warm water and a mild soap or cleanser. If your back is prone to acne, wash it twice a day. Don’t scrub with a washcloth, though, as this will irritate the skin and pores.
Don’t Clog the Pores
Once your skin is clean of oil and dirt, don’t clog the pores with make-up, moisturizer or sunscreen. Look for products that are non-comedogenic, which means they have been tested and shown not to clog pores. Use oil-free make-up and cleansers.
Check the ingredients, too, because acetylated or ethoxylated lanolin may be labeled as oil free, but these contain oil that may contribute to acne, according to zerozits.com. Be aware of other sources of oil clogging your pores, such as hair on your face or the greasy atmosphere of a fast-food restaurant.
Make sure to keep your hair clean and wash your face after spending time at a fast food restaurant. The grease in the food probably won’t contribute to your acne, but the grease in the air or on your hands probably will. And keep your hands off your face.
Take Aim at Blackheads
Whiteheads and blackheads are pores that are already clogged but haven’t yet become infected, so getting rid of them means you’ll prevent the acne that can erupt there.
Over-the-counter preparations that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can fight any bacteria that might be lurking there, preventing acne. A little goes a long way, reports kidshealth.org, so don’t go overboard on the creams and end up drying out your skin too much.
Lower Your Stress Level
Stress revs up all the systems in your body, including the glandular system. This means the more stress you’re under, the more oil will be secreted on your face. If you can’t avoid stress, wash your face consistently during stressful times to lessen the possibility of an outbreak. In addition, try to relax with meditation or exercise.
Vitamin B5
One secret weapon against acne may be as close as your medicine cabinet. Vitamin B5 has been touted as an acne cure because of its ability to balance hormones and regulate the body’s production of sebum. Begin with a small dose and add to it each week until your acne begins to heal.
Zinc
Zinc gluconate may be helpful in healing acne by regulating hormones, including testosterone, which can aggravate acne. Zinc also helps with the production of collagen in the skin, which can help heal acne scars. Take 200 mg per day to see if this secret works for you.
