Tips To Keep Acne Under Control
Kerri Stalton

Acne plagues many teenagers and often erupts with the sudden eruption of hormones that comes with puberty. However, even after the throes of puberty have subsided acne can continue in the adult years. To keep your acne under control as a youth or an adult, it is vital to find the right moisture balance for your unique skin type. Dead skin and bacteria can clog your pores, leading to breakouts; so whether you have an oily skin type that requires a strong astringent or a dry skin type that demands the gentlest of cleansers, it is important to keep these elements at bay.

Using a warm washcloth in your cleansing regimen will help open your pores so that you can flush out any lurking oils and dirt; but unfortunately a warm washcloth is a fertile breeding ground for bacteria. To make sure that your washcloth does more good than harm, use a freshly cleaned, sterile, and dry washcloth every day. This simple step can have a big impact on your skin. To sterilize your washcloth before use, pop it in the microwave for two to three minutes. This will zap any lurking bacteria.

A strong cleansing regimen is necessary to keep your pores free of oils and dirt that causes the clogs that lead to pimples and blackheads; but too harsh a cleanser can strip your face of the moisture that it needs to stay healthy and smooth. In fact, too much cleansing can even irritate your skin, causing more pimples. Many commercial pimple creams can over dry your skin, leading to an increase in dead skin cells on the surface of your face. These cells can get trapped in your pores and cause breakouts. All too often, over-cleansing can send your skin into a vicious cycle of increased oil production as your face tries to compensate for the lack of moisture.

To avoid this common occurrence, use the gentlest cleanser that will rid your skin type of grease, makeup, and oil. A hypoallergenic cleaning agent that contains alpha hydroxyl acids will flush acne causing clogs out of your pores while doing a minimum of damage to the healthy areas of your complexion. After washing your face, apply a thin layer of non-comedogenic moisturizer to areas where dryness often lurks, such as the zone between your eyebrows. Clean, soothing moisture is vital to your skin. Water-based moisturizers can actually help you minimize your skin's natural oil production, stopping pimples before they start.