The market is full of a wide variety of cosmetics that have numerous types of chemicals in them. These chemicals are harmful for the skin as they take away the natural oils that are there in our skin. The natural defensive technique that works in our body starts functioning and tries to protect our skin by producing more oil. This oil clogs the pores and results in pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Hence, you should opt for natural cosmetics and skin products.
In order to reduce the inflammation, you can apply packs of ice to the pimple for 2 minutes after every half an hour. You can soothe the irritation and redness by applying a dab of toothpaste on the pimple. You can even use a wet tea bag or press a wet cotton ball against the acne containing a drop of lemon. Holding it for five minutes can reduce both the redness and the swelling.
Hormonal activity is another major factor for the occurrence of acne. Excessive output of hormones from the adrenal glands and activities like the menstrual cycle are chief causes. Using medication containing halogens, exposure to high level chlorine compounds, use of antibiotic steroids, accumulation of dead cells of the skin, scratching and skin irritation are other general causes for the appearance of acne.
Rinse your face with lukewarm water and use a mild soap to cleanse the dirt away. Washing you face also helps to remove plugs from your skin pore, which is a mishmash of bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells. The accumulation of dirt only increases the infection by working together with oil and skin debris. But avoid excessive washing of your skin as over washing can stimulate production of extra oil and irritate the acne prone areas.
Use a toner before you go to bed. Avoid the use of alcohol products to tone your skin. Since alcohol is a strong astringent, it can strip the upper layer of your skin. This process can cause the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Do not scrub the affected area vigorously and avoid touching your face with dirty hands.
It is also good if you can avoid the use of moisturizers, lotions and creams. It is best for your skin if you can avoid the use of make up. However, this is not always possible for everyone. Hence, if you have to use makeup it is best for you to use oil free water based products and moisturizers instead of using oil based ones. Make sure you remove the make up before you retire for the night.
There are various ointments and lotions available in the markets that help in fighting acne. Most of these products contain benzoyl peroxide that is a bleaching agent. These may be effective for a short-term cure but they may damage your skin and make it dry and rough if the bleaching content is too high. If you are still keen on using these bleaching products take care to use only the mild ones.
Exercising is a good way to stay healthy. But remember to take a wash after exercise. The moisture and heat trapped against the skin becomes a perfect breeding ground for spreading bacteria. Avoid wearing makeup during exercises and do not wear garments made exclusively with nylon.
You can even take multi-vitamins, with great nutritious value, everyday for your health. Some people swear that a chromium supplement daily will work wonders when it comes to curing your acne. Also Vitamin A is said to have great virtues in taking care of the skin. It defends the skin against bacterial attacks and helps in the deterrence of pimples. It effects in the minimization of the production of sebum. (Please consult a doctor before trying either.)
Bacteria, hormones and clogged pores on the skin may lead to the formation of acne. Acne may also be a result of heredity. The action of bacteria and dead skin leads to pimples. When pores get blocked and closed and finally protrude out, whiteheads are formed. On the other hand, when the blocked pores remain open but the top area becomes dark, they lead to the formation of blackheads.
It is also necessary to avoid sunscreen lotions that are oil based. However, you should not avoid the use of sunscreen completely as exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun may prove to be dangerous for your pimples. You should use a water based UVA/UVB sunscreen with a high SPF or Sun Protection Factor.