Acne, usually referred to as pimples, is an inflammatory skin disease. Acne starts appearing on the skin because of a comedo, an enlarged hair follicle plugged with bacteria and oil. The comedo is placed beneath the skin surface and is invisible to the naked eye. Under favorable conditions, it germinates into an inflamed lesion. The bacteria inside the follicle flourish due to oil production from the skin.
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.
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.
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.
Be it an herbal mask or a chemical one, always remember to avoid the lip and eye areas while you are applying the mask. Let it dry and rinse it immediately. There are various homemade acne treatments that make use of herbal masks made out of kaolin, mint, lavender, and cucumber. You also can make use of herbal toners like lemon juice to get an acne-free face.
Water is considered to be very helpful in reducing oil in the skin and in protecting the skin against acne. The goodness of water can be utilized not only by washing your face with it but only consuming it in a large quantity. A minimum of 8 glasses should be taken everyday. Water helps in flushing out harmful toxins from the body and in hydrating your skin. Exercise also flush toxins and maintains blood circulation.
It is a well-known fact that acne generally results from both internal problems as well as external problems. Hence the first step to fight acne is to fight internal problems. Maintaining an appropriate and balanced diet can help in fighting such problems. You should ensure that the food you intake has a high level of nutrition in it. If you can follow a proper skin care regimen in addition to a healthy diet you will certainly have flawless skin.
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.)
The first tip to get a clear acne-free skin is to maintain a balanced diet. Make sure that you are consuming food rich in Vitamins, Proteins and Minerals. Do not leave your stomach empty. Consume food rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin E and Zinc like milk, fish, eggs, nuts, liver, and fresh leafy green vegetables.