Basic Advice:
1. Drink enough water!! - It is generally recommended that a person drink 8 - 8oz cups of water a day. (athletes, pregnant women and people living in extremely hot or humid conditions usually need more)
2. HANDS OFF THE FACE! - Touching your face with unclean hands introduces bacteria onto the skin, we want to avoid this at all costs.
3. Do NOT pick! - We are all guilty of picking at spots every now and then, but your face will heal much quicker and more efficiently if you do NOT pick. (if you do pick, and end up with a giant scab on your face, I have noticed that using a tiny dot of neosporin directly on the wound right before bed can speed up the healing process)
4. Let your skin breathe - If you can go a day or two without make up on, do so.
5. Keep your pillow case clean - You can get hair products build up on your pillow case which can then transfer onto your skin and cause blocked pores.
6. Use clean towels - Using the same towel to clean your hands every day and your face is not the best idea, try switching out your towel regularly.
7. Use products specifically designed for sensitive skin - These products generally have less harmful chemicals in them, less fragrances and less damaging ingredients which can trigger breakouts.
8. Take a multi vitamin - I use the gummy kind because they are best for a sensitive tummy :-) I take one in the morning.
9. Try taking a zinc supplement - You can purchase these almost anywhere, I get mine at Wal Mart. The zinc helps build your immune system and fight off the bad bacteria that causes acne. I take one at night after dinner.
My Products:
1. Olay Foaming Face Wash - Sensitive
2. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
3. Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15 – Sensitive
4. Alba Botanica Very Emollient Natural Sunscreen Mineral Protection Fragrance Free SPF 30
5. Tea Tree Oil - I use the brand Spring Valley
6. Dessert Essence Daily Essential Facial Moisturizer
7. Honey & Sea Salt - Mixed together :-)
My Regime:
1. In the morning I wake up and simply rinse my face with luke warm water from the sink or in the shower
2. I apply either my Olay lotion with SPF or my Alba Botanica SPF
3. After allowing the lotions to dry I will apply my make up
4. Before bed I use my Olay or Fresh face washes to remove all of my make up, since I do not wear much make up, this is all I need to do to cleanse my face properly
5. Spot treat your spots with tea tree oil on a cotton pad or q tip
6. Once the oil has absorbed, I apply my Dessert Essence moisturizer
7. A couple times a week, I make a mask out of the honey and sea salt, I spread it all over my face, let set for about 10 minutes, splash water on my face, then lightly scrub the salt all over my face to exfoliate, then thoroughly rinse off the honey and salt and moisturize
Watch the video I made on this subject here:
My last bit of advice is this - if your acne persists or worsens SEE A DERMATOLOGIST! They have so much knowledge and have seen pretty much anything and everything. They also have access to all kinds of additional treatments that may be right for you! Never give up because you CAN have clear skin :-)
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