Millions of people suffer from acne.
As unexpected and embarrassing as it is, the worst part about getting an acne breakout is the fact that it always shows up when it is least expected.
If you are prone to acne breakouts, you need to start on a daily acne treatment routine to prevent acne breakouts from forming and interrupting your life.
The following is a guide on how you can improve your skin and lessen the severity of future acne breakouts.
The best approach is to not focus on the pimples you already have but instead work to prevent new eruptions from happening.
This is the most effective way you can minimize acne scarring.
The first thing you need to do is exfoliate.
Make it a habit to exfoliate in the morning and at night before you go to bed.
If your facial cleanser doesn't contain exfoliating beads, you can use a wash cloth to exfoliate your skin.
Keep in mind that the dead skin cells clogging the skin pores are one of the causes of acne.
By exfoliating, you help maintain open pores and remove both dead skin cells and acne-causing bacteria from the skin.
After exfoliating, follow it up with a 2% salicylic acid treatment.
Apply this treatment twice daily.
Salicylic acid is effective in removing dead skin cells and it is keeps bacteria that cause acne off your skin.
Follow up the salicylic acid treatment with the application of moisturizer.
This helps minimize the drying that may result from your use of salicylic acid.
However, avoid using an oil-based moisturizer as this would only clog up your pores again.
There are several moisturizers that are not oil-based available today.
Choose the moisturizer that works not only to hydrate your skin but also fight acne.
Next, you'll need to protect your skin.
Sun exposure also causes acne breakouts.
You can protect your skin by applying sunscreen.
Sunscreens help prevent the formation of wrinkles and lower your risk of skin cancer.
Use a sunscreen that has at least SPF30, especially if you have sensitive skin or you're currently having an acne breakout.
Follow this acne treatment regimen for two weeks or more.
If by then you still have acne breakouts, you need to see a dermatologist, who can prescribe to you acne medications that are much stronger than over-the-counter acne treatments.
Accutane and Retin-A are both thought of as good prescription treatments for acne.
They are both known to make the skin sensitive to sunlight even more so make sure you apply a generous amount of sunscreen whenever you go out.
It wouldn't hurt to wear a heat and sunglasses too.