There are times when it seems like your acne is never going to clear up no matter what you do. Maybe you’ve tried all the over-the-counter remedies or visited a dermatologist for professional-strength treatment. But then, nothing seems to work.
Rather than seeking out more chemicals or acne medications, it may be time to look for more basic solutions. Believe it or not, acne not only appears because of how you treat your face, but also because of how you treat your entire body.
Exercise
Exercise is a double-edged sword. There’s no denying that it does wonders for your overall health and well-being. Physical activity gets your blood pumping, and enhanced circulation has been shown to clear up your skin as well as reduce stress, which also causes acne. However, exercise can potentially exacerbate the problem. To realise the benefits, you need to be sure to wash the sweat off your body as soon as you can after you exercise. Letting the sweat linger and dry for too long is counterproductive in your fight against acne.
Ice
Are you a picker when it comes to your acne? Although it’s tempting, you need to use the utmost restraint when it comes to touching your face unless you’re washing it or applying medication and sunscreen. However, if you’re unable to resist picking at your face occasionally or your acne is especially inflamed, putting ice on it for several minutes can actually have a calming effect. Cold compresses like customized ice packs for the face are ideal for these situations. You can have them ready in the freezer when you need a quick rejuvenation, and they are much more manageable than a plastic bag filled with ice cubes.
Water
Aside from helping acne, your entire body will get a boost by drinking the appropriate amount of water every day. What’s so easy about this tip is that you don’t need to make massive dietary changes to achieve a clearer complexion. Water is essential to our health, and ensuring that you drink enough water helps carry nutrients and vitamins throughout your body, as well as eliminate toxins. The more you clean up the inside of your body, the better the outside of your body reacts.
Cold Showers
This seems to be the most unpleasant advice of the bunch, but hopping in a cold shower can do wonders for your skin. Though hot showers may feel wonderful, they have a tendency to make your acne worse and cause a lot of unnecessary redness. Cold showers improve blood circulation and keep pores tiny to help keep out dirt and grime.
Washing and Wiping Down
Another simple tip is to regularly wash or wipe down whatever your face normally comes into contact with, such has your hands, your phone, and even pillowcases. If you stop to think about it, you may be surprised to realize what regularly touches your face. Using disinfectant wipes on your phone or switching to hands-free when possible, and getting in the habit of frequently washing your pillowcases are easy fixes.
When it comes to fighting acne, you don’t have to prepare for major life changes or expensive topical cream purchases. Incorporating these minor tweaks into your daily routine not only can address your temporary acne woes, but can also translate into long-term health benefits.