Acne Medication and Advice: Basic Training

Caring for your skin is always a priority for good health and beauty, but especially so if you have acne. One of the best ways to keep acne under control is to maintain your skin's health as much as possible. This means keeping the skin clean and protecting it from sources of damage like sunshine and harsh cosmetics.

Cleansing Your Skin

Use a gentle soap or special acne skin cleanser for washing your face twice a day. Wash with a gentle, circular motion of the fingertips. Be careful not to scrub your skin, because this can aggravate acne. Moisten the face with warm water, then apply cleanser to all areas from the hairline to the neck. Rinse your face with plenty of water and pat dry with a soft towel.

Those with especially oily skin may need to use an astringent, but it must be alcohol-free, and used with care. Apply it only to the parts of the face that are oiliest, and discontinue use if your skin becomes irritated. If you feel you need to use an astringent, this may be an indication that you need to see a dermatologist. Hair care is also an important part of skin care. Shampoo your hair 2 or 3 times a week, perhaps even daily, and try to keep it away from your face as much as possible.

Protecting Your Skin From The Sun

A suntan may dry out your skin and make the acne less noticeable, but this is only temporary. As your skin becomes accustomed to sun exposure, the acne will flare up once again. In the meantime you are risking skin damage that can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Many of the medications used to treat acne cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight and more vulnerable to burning. Whatever the weather, it is always best to wear sunscreen on your face and any other exposed skin when outdoors.

Choosing Makeup With Care

The best choice for good acne skin care is to wear no makeup at all. But if you feel you must wear makeup, it is important to choose products labeled noncomedogenic that will not clog your pores. Be aware that these products may still cause acne in some people. Above all, avoid makeup with an oil base. Read the labels carefully and use sparingly.

Shaving Carefully

Try both electric razors and safety razors to see which causes the least irritation to skin blemishes. Never use safety razors with dull blades -- change the blade every 2 or 3 shaves. You may have to shave around blemishes to avoid cutting them, and be sure to soften the beard beforehand as much as possible with warm water and shaving cream. If your skin is covered with blemishes, perhaps it is best to skip shaving that day.

Not Touching the Skin

As tempting as it may be to squeeze pimples, don't do it! You are only inviting more trouble, because the bacteria which cause pimples will spread. Popping pimples can also lead to permanent scarring.

Try to avoid touching your face as much as possible. Many people do this unconsciously, but the hands carry dirt and oil, and can spread germs over greater areas of your skin.

Rest assured that acne can be brought under control. Medications will go a long way toward clearing your skin and combating the bacteria that cause acne. Your job is to help it along as much as possible by taking good care of your skin.