How to effectively manage and treat acne

Persistent acne can be frustrating and uncomfortable, even painful in some cases. There are hundreds of skincare products designed to tackle blemishes and give you clearer skin, but how do you know which ones actually work? In this article, we cover some of the best ways to effectively manage and treat acne.

Choose products with acne-fighting ingredients

Many products designed to tackle acne have a huge long list of ingredients on them, and it can be hard to know which ones are actually going to make a difference to your skin. There are a few key active ingredients that you should look out for that will help manage and treat acne:

• Benzoyl peroxide: This ingredient can kill the bacteria on your skin that causes acne, which means it’s a good way to prevent blemishes and breakouts long term. On top of that, it helps remove dead skin cells and reduce the amount of oil that your skin produces, which can also help clear your skin.
• Salicylic acid: This is a common ingredient in acne treatments, which helps to reduce inflammation and clears dead skin cells that could block your pores.
• Glycolic acid and Lactic acid: These alpha-hydroxy acids can help to ease inflammation, remove dead skin cells, and also stimulate the growth of new skin, which means they can tackle active blemishes and also help with acne scarring.

These ingredients are common in over-the-counter acne treatments in varying strengths. However, if you have severe acne and find that these don’t work then you might want to look into prescription treatments.

Products such as Duac gel contain higher strengths of the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, which means that it’s often more effective for long-term acne sufferers. It also contains Clindamycin, which also helps to prevent the bacteria that cause acne from reproducing on the skin.

Opting for natural remedies to manage and treat acne

Although prescription treatments might be more effective, there are often side effects that you need to be aware of. For example, Duac gel side effects include red, dry, peeling skin, burning sensations, and in some cases mild headaches. The side effects are often temporary or manageable but it’s important to be aware and talk to a doctor if you experience them.

Many ‘natural home-remedies’ lack scientific backing, but there are lots of options to try ranging from diet, natural supplements, to honey and cinnamon masks. It is worth checking out these 13 powerful home remedies for acne.

Clean your face twice a day

Keeping your face clean is an important part of managing acne, but it’s important not to overdo it. You only need to wash your face twice a day, and after exercising, to help keep pores unblocked and remove excess oil from your skin.

If your face gets oily in between then it’s tempting to keep washing it, but this can end up making your acne worse. If you’re wiping away at your face too much it irritates the skin, and when it becomes too dry your skin can end up overcompensating and producing even more oil.

It’s best to stick to washing your face once in the morning and again in the evening with a gentle cleanser or soap and gently patting it dry.

Stick to a regular skincare routine

It’s also really important to stick with a regular skincare routine to manage your acne. You need to give new treatments and products a chance to work — it can take several weeks or a month before you see a noticeable change in your skin. If you keep changing your routine it can irritate your skin and cause more breakouts.

You also need to be careful about what products you use. Try to stay away from using too many harsh products as you’ll be at risk of drying your face out. In most instances, ensure any skincare products you are using in conjunction with products specifically designed to manage and treat acne are as natural and organic as possible. And don’t be tempted to skip the moisturiser because you’re worried about making your skin oilier. Choose a light moisturizing gel that’s oil-free, but make sure you use it morning and evening as keeping your skin hydrated will help it to heal.

Make changes to your diet

We have already mentioned diet and for some people what they eat can have a real impact on their acne. If you’re struggling to manage your acne it could be worth reducing your intake of certain foods and improving your diet to see if it helps clear your skin.

Some foods such as sugar, pasta, white rice, and white bread can cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, which triggers your body to release insulin. When there’s too much insulin in your blood it causes your glands to produce more oil which can clog up your pores and lead to acne. Other people find that dairy products can make their skin worse. Consider a Mediterranean-style diet with plenty of wholefoods, vegetables, and fruit.

It’s also thought that foods containing zinc, antioxidants, and vitamins A and E, can help to improve your skin by regulating hormone levels and reducing inflammation.

Managing and treating acne takes time and patience. In most cases, there’s no quick fix for completely clear skin, but these tips will help you to reduce blemishes and prevent future breakouts.

Image by Joseph Mucira from Pixabay