How To Get Rid of Acne?

What Is Acne?

All along the lining in your skin, there are things called sebaceous glands that keep skin and hair well lubricated. They do this by secreting an oily based substance called sebum that’s used to prevent your skin and hair from drying out. This sebum also carries dead skin cells from within the deeper layers of your skin to the surface so they can be removed from your body.

This sebum travels from these sebaceous glands, out through openings called pores (as many of you have probably heard of) and onto your skin. Sometimes this sebum, along with the dead skin cells, becomes congested and actually blocks the pores. When this occurs, bacteria are able to get into the sebum and consequently into your pores. This leads to inflammation and the formation of acne

Steps To Get Rid of Acne

So now that we have a brief overview of what acne is and how it forms, let's talk above several steps you can take to get rid of it

1. Wash your face twice a day using a well branded soap that's particular to your skin type

   • Most individuals who suffer severely from acne have too much of the oil buildup, so getting a soap that helps reduce the oil is key. When you wash, use lukewarm water and when you're drying, take a towel and pat your face dry

2. Getting an effective skin care routine that will not cause oily buildup to continue

   • The key to this statement is routine...it's important to find one and stick to it every single day (including washing your face twice a day). This skin care routine should include a wash, a morning and evening moisturizer, as well as an exfoliant.

   • Men, I would recommend Tiege Hanley's line for acne specific or Geology as they both anecdotally seem to help many individuals who struggle with acne.

   • Ladies, I would recommend Dr. Dray's YouTube channel as she is a board certified dermatologist who has literally over a thousand videos on some of the best and most affordable skin care products you can use for a routine

3. Reduce the number of times you touch your face in a day!

   • Touching your face receptively throughout the day brings all sorts of germs and other oils onto your face

4. Change out your pillow case every night

   • Doing this reduces both the bacteria and excess oil buildup on your pillow, which allows your pores to continue to open

5. Stop popping/picking at your acne.

   • Squeezing/"popping" your spots aggressively can increase inflammation and potentially lead to scaring, so it's best to let the medication to its job

6. OTC solutions - Benzoyl peroxide 5% solution. This works in 3 majors ways

   1. Kills the bacteria responsible for producing acne thus reducing inflammation

   2. Removes excess oil

   3. Removes excess dead skin cells

Benzoyl peroxide 5% can be purchased pretty much anywhere and has been proven in many different studies to be effective in treating acne. It's important when applying this to do so in all areas of your skin affected by acne, NOT just one single spot. It can bleach whatever you come into contact with, so be careful of this when applying. It can cause some mild skin irritation and the best way to counteract this is to try the 5% preparation at first, but if your skin becomes too irritated, then try the 2.5% once the irritation settles.

The best way to use it to reduce the chance of skin irritation is to:

• Apply once daily at first and wash off after several hours, then gradually increase the length of time left on the skin

• Build up from the 2.5% to the 5% version

• Eventually aim to use it twice a day when your body becomes more used to it