In the last post we talked about some of the ingredients in different acne treatment, so that you could narrow down your product and treatment choices. In this post we are going to go over some simple lifestyle tips that can help you reduce the occurrence and frequency of your breakouts.
When it comes to fighting the war against acne breakouts often times it seems like a never ending battle. However, there are some very simple lifestyle tips and changes that can help you reduce the frequency and severity of your acne flare up’s.
While these may appear to be common sense, lifestyle habits they can be very effective when it comes to alleviating some of your symptoms:
Drink plenty of water
Now, I know you’ve heard me say this before but is important to consume plenty of water especially during moderate to severe breakouts. Water is by far one of the most effective treatments for acne.
Not only does water helps flush your system of unwanted toxins it is designed to hydrate the body, cleanse the colon, assist in the body’s detoxification process and as if that’s not enough it can also help improve blood circulation to the skin, restore a healthy hormonal balance, and normalize your pH balance as well. Not only do all of the things help reduce the frequency of your outbreaks they can help prevent them too!
A good rule of thumb is to drink 8 to 10 glasses of clean water per day. This will help your body efficiently get rid of oil, waste, toxins, plus help to hydrate your skin and keep your pores from clogging. another beneficial side affect of drinking plenty of water is that it helps to relieve stress, relax your body and can even lead to a better night sleep.
While increasing your water consumption is a good first step is also a good idea to try to reduce your consumption of coffee, tea, soda and alcohol as well. This is because these beverages can act as a partial diuretics and can actually drive more water out of your cells than they put in.
Avoid using harsh astringents
Acne prone skin is very sensitive, so it is a good idea to avoid using harsh astringents like witch hazel which are designed to remove oils and shrink pores unless they are specifically designed for the treatment of acne. Not only can these astringents dry out and burn your skin they can also lead to your pores becoming even more clogged, which can cause the onset of an acne breakout.
Avoid certain stimulants
Coffee, tea, cigarettes, as well as excessive sugar from sweets and soda should be avoided. Consuming anything that has the potential alter your body chemistry, brain and nervous system can also stimulate the sebaceous glands to release more oil. This oil leaves the body through your pores causing more frequent breakouts.
Keep an eye on your diet
Yes, we have talked about this before. Diet does have an impact on the frequency of breakouts that you experience. while having a huge ship tourists we treat once in a while won’t cause a sudden breakout it’s important to stick to a healthy diet full of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Reducing your fat intake is also a good idea, because the more fat you eat the more oils capable of producing acne your body will secrete.
Avoid alcoholic beverages
While alcohol is considered a nice stress reliever and there’s no harm in enjoying a drink or two for a special occasion you may want to limit your consumption of your favorite tasty beverage, especially during times of moderate to severe breakouts. Why you may ask? It is because alcohol acts as a type of internal astringent, dehydrating our bodies and shrinking our pores, plus making them more prone to clogging.
Bath and shower in tepid water
You may not think that the temperature of your bath water is anything more than a personal choice but it can have an impact on your acne.
People with acne prone skin should avoid bathing in very hot and very cold water on areas of the skin affected by acne. Hot water can reek havoc on your sensitive skin, causing inflammation and damage to your pores. On the other hand cold water will shrink your pores making them more prone to clogging. Instead use tepid water during your shower or bath. Try to keep the temperature below 98.5 degrees. Treat your sensitive, acne prone skin much like you would newborn babies.
Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking about a severe type of acne known as Cystic Acne, how to identify it and what type of treatment you should seek if you have it.