Make sure you drink at least eight 8-oz glasses (2 liters) each day.
Try a Mediterranean diet, which focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, Omega-3 rich fish, olive oil, and whole grains. [4] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. In addition to heart-healthy compounds and antioxidants galore, this diet has even been shown to protect against skin cancer. [5] X Research source Sources of Omega-3 fatty acids include vegetable oils such as flaxseed, canola,and soybean oils. These are good oils to cook with. Some people argue that drinking apple cider vinegar can reduce acne by balancing your pH level. If you’re up for it, try a tablespoon each day. Limit your intake of salt, which can cause puffiness. Be aware of foods that are high in iodine, like shrimp, crab, and lobster. A buildup of iodine can lead to acne, so dermatologists recommend eating these foods only a few times a month. Try giving up dairy. There is no consensus on whether dairy causes acne, but some people have had success with eliminating it from their diets. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source Some doctors trace this possible connection to the hormones found in dairy products, with skim milk seeming to be the worst culprit. [7] X Research source Keep in mind that dairy can show up in unexpected places, including many processed foods, where it masquerades as dairy protein. Avoid foods that are high on the glycemic index, a measure of how much something spikes your blood sugar. These include things like white bread, pasta, and sweets, as well as sugary drinks like soda and juice. Beware of added sugar. You know it’s in candy bars, but would you expect it to be in pasta sauce? Read labels carefully — it’s everywhere. There are over 50 different names for added sugar that might appear on a label (and there may be more than one in a product), including high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice, molasses, sucrose, and rice syrup. Limit your consumption of alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates you, emphasizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and possibly setting off a rosacea outbreak.
In a study, acne and psychological stress levels were evaluated, suggesting that there was a significant correlation between stress and acne, especially males. The correlation may or may not be due to an increase in sebum secretion.
Always shower as soon as you can after exercising to clean sweat off your skin and prevent breakouts.
Always wash your face at night. Between makeup, sweat, city grime, and who knows what else, your skin is begging to be cleaned by the end of the day. This is especially important for acne sufferers. If you find that you’re too exhausted to do this on a regular basis, keep a pack of makeup-removing face wipes next to your bed. [12] X Research source Change your pillowcases frequently. Products and oils from your hair will transfer to your pillowcase at night. The longer these build up, the likelier they are to cause acne. [13] X Research source Put makeup on after you have heat-styled your hair. Hair dryers, curling irons, and straightening irons can melt your makeup, leading it to seep into your pores and make breakouts likelier. [14] X Research source Choose makeups labeled as non-comedogenic, which should not clog your pores. Products like glycerin and hyaluronic acid will help hold moisture in your skin. You may also be able to find products containing salicylic acid in it, which helps treat acne. [15] X Research source Keep oil-blotting sheets with you at all times. Many acne sufferers are also affected by greasy skin. Oil-blotting sheets are a super effective way of dealing with this and won’t take up a lot of room in your bag. They also won’t disturb any makeup you are already wearing or cause any cakiness the way applying more powder might.
Avoid hot water, which dries out and irritates your skin. Rinse dishes in lukewarm water, and turn the heat down in the shower. You also might want to consider showering only every other day to cut down on dryness and irritation. [16] X Research source Avoid potentially irritating fabrics and styles. Cotton is cool and lets skin breathe, making it a good bet, especially in the form of loose, flowing garments. Some companies even make clothing like this specifically designed for eczema sufferers. Wool and synthetic fabrics, by contrast, can be itchy and cause overheating. [17] X Research source You’ll also want to make sure that you wash your clothes with unscented detergent before wearing them. Sleep with a humidifier. [18] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. You might find that your condition worsens in the winter, when heaters pump hot, dry air into indoor spaces. Sleeping with a humidifier in your room can lessen the dryness, itching, and flaking you might face. [19] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Avoid triggers. Certain factors can cause or worsen psoriasis. These include stress, smoking, alcohol, medications like lithium and beta blockers. Some of these are easy to eliminate, but reducing or getting off any prescription medication requires a discussion with your doctor. Shower daily. Since water can help with cell buildup and irritation, psoriasis is the opposite of eczema this way. You should still avoid hot water and harsh soaps, though. For an extra-soothing experience, take a bath with bath oil colloidal oatmeal, or Epsom salts. [21] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Topical treatments for psoriasis include corticosteroid, vitamin D analogues, calcineurin inhibitors, anthralin, and topical retinoids. [22] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Phototherapy from natural sunlight is also therapy for psoriasis. Brief daily encounters with sunlight may help psoriasis, but you can overdo it and extended exposure can cause it to worsen. [23] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If you’re worried about breakouts, look for products with labels like “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” “won’t clog pores,” or “breakout-free. ” Sunscreen should be broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.
Be sure to introduce one product at a time, and start with the lowest strength out there. It may be all you need, but even if it’s not, these products can be very drying. Even after your skin adjusts, you shouldn’t be piling on product after product. This is irritating, expensive, and ultimately counterproductive. Use a gentle cleanser on your face instead of soap and be cautious when using an exfoliant. [26] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. Excessive scrubbing and washing can make acne worse, so be gentle and pat dry — don’t scrub. [27] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Don’t forego moisturizer. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you may feel that moisturizer is your enemy, but this is a mistake. If you’re using a lot of drying anti-acne products without moisturizing, your skin will overcompensate by producing more oil, leading to more breakouts. [28] X Research source Look for moisturizers specifically made for acne-prone skin.
Choose the right moisturizer. [30] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. Your first instinct might be to go for lotion, but its high water content won’t work for people with eczema. Instead, look products labeled as “ointments” and “creams” that contain products like petroleum jelly or mineral oil and few or no additives. Eucerin cream is often recommended by doctors to help restore your protective skin barrier. While you’re there, visit the first aid aisle to find hydrocortisone cream and oral antihistamines.
Soy Enzymes Licorice Arnica flower extract Alpha hydroxyl, glycolic, salicylic, and kojic acid Vitamin C
Natural products can be helpful for acne, but make sure they contain ingredients that have been proven effective. These include tea tree oil, alpha hydroxyl acid, zinc, green tea extract, and aloe vera. [33] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Try a garlic compress. Steep garlic in warm water, then dip a washcloth in the solution and use it to wash breakout-prone parts of your face. Take advantage of honey’s antibacterial properties by dabbing it on a pimple at night. Crush up mint leaves—or use mint oil—to soothe redness and irritation. Place tomato slices on your face to help to draw out impurities. [34] X Research source Consider alternative treatments like creams containing aloe vera or Oregon grape and foods or supplements that include Omega-3s. While none of these has been proven effective, they are safe and might be somewhat helpful. Vitamin E has long been a popular natural treatment for reducing the appearance of scars, but there is no real evidence to support this claim. [35] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Birth control pills for women, which works to control acne by regulating hormones. Your dermatologist might prescribe this herself, or she might recommend that you seek a prescription from your gynecologist. Antibiotics like doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline Topical treatments like sulfur, azelaic acid, dapsone, and benzoyl peroxide[37] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. Accutane (Isotretinoin), a Vitamin-A derivative that is taken orally. Accutane is only prescribed in the most severe cases, as it requires very strict commitment and comes with many side effects and potential health risks.
Reparative creams Oral antibiotics More aggressive corticosteroid treatments Exposure to natural or artificial sunlight
Topical treatments like corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, and retinoids. Light therapy involving either daily exposure to small amounts of sunlight or targeted treatment of affected areas. Drugs that reduce inflammation (like methotrexate) or control the immune system (like cyclosporine).
Your doctor may need to apply photosensitizers to your skin before treatment to make it more sensitive to light. Possible side effects include redness, crusting and peeling, changes in skin tone, and pain.
Try a chemical peel for acne scars. These treatments work by getting rid of old skin cells, allowing new ones to take their places. [41] X Research source Their strength varies, from light peels that you can get on your lunch break to deep peels that must be done under anesthesia and require several weeks of recovery. In all cases, make sure you consult with your doctor beforehand and follow their instructions to avoid serious side effects afterwards. Explore laser treatments. For some, over-the-counter treatments won’t be enough. You will need to talk to a dermatologist about this. He will know whether you are a good candidate for laser treatment and, if so, what kind of laser to use. Even so, the scar will likely never disappear completely. [42] X Research source
Instead, think about light-diffusing makeup, which will make your whole face look more luminous and will distract attention from pimples or other imperfections. For pimples that are begging for concealer, use a concealer brush to dab just a tiny bit right on top of the pimple, then set with powder.
If you’re worried about a sallow complexion, look for purple-tinted primers. If redness is a problem, try a green-tinted product.
Acne sufferers will find products that contain skin-clearing salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and other compounds. Mineral makeup contains zinc oxide to treat acne and will sit on top of pores rather than clogging them. You’ll also find products geared toward treating uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, and more.
Wash your hands before applying makeup (and touching your face in general). Wash your brushes every two weeks to avoid oil and bacteria buildup. There are a number of products on the market just for this purpose, but soap and water will also do. Your makeup becomes bacteria-ridden, too, so replace it every six months (three months for mascara).
