Acne is a common skin condition that most often affects those with oily skin. It’s not the result of poor hygiene. It’s not the result of stress. It’s not the result of wearing makeup. It is the result of blocked hair follicles that allow bacteria to grow.

The most basic approach to avoiding or at least minimizing acne is simple and straightforward – keep your skin clean and oil free. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for controlling your acne by eliminating the oil on your face and your hair (oil from your hair can find its way to your neck, your forehead, your cheeks, and nose, so you really want to give equal attention to clean hair):

Acne Tip #1 – Wash Your Face With Plain Water

Wash your face regularly with plain water (no soap) throughout the day. Those particular times when you want to wash include times when your body has been warm and you’ve been sweating. After exercise, for instance. But also after you’ve been working in the house or in the back garden, out doing some shopping on a warm day, or even if you’ve been on a casual walk. These are all times when your skin (the same as the rest of your body) requires hydrating and you don’t want oil or dirt clogging the pores.

Acne Tip #2 – Shampoo Regularly

As mentioned above, your hair can create oil that spreads to your face and neck, so you want to shampoo daily to minimize this possibility. Oil and grime form the foundation of the acne cycle. The better you are at interrupting this cycle, the less trouble you’ll have with skin blemishes.

Acne Tip #3 – Stay Out of The Sun

As fashionable as a tan can be these days, please be smart and protect yourself from the sun. This is especially important if you’re already prone to oily skin. Studies have linked too much sun with skin damage as severe as cancer, but it also creates an oil environment that’s ripe for the bacteria that creates acne. If you have to be outside in the sun, wear sunscreen, preferrably one that isn’t oil based.

Acne Tip #4 – Use Non-Comedogenic Makeup

While makeup in itself won’t cause acne, it can contribute to the problem by clogging your pores. Avoid oil-based cosmetics. Instead, use non-comedogenic makeup, which in theory is not supposed to block your pores. While recent research has indicated that acne may be reduced by noncomedogenic products, it’s still has yet to be verified in clinical trials. However, at the very least, these products won’t aggravate an existing problem. So they are probably your best bet at this time.

Acne Tip #5 – Use Deep Pore Cleansing Facials

A deep pore cleansing facial includes cleansing, steam, extractions, facial massage and a facial mask. Very expensive when you have to go to a salon to have it done. However, you can purchase packs which allow you to do a deep pore facial cleansing at home. This is an excellent way to keep your face oil free and minimize the potential for acne. A regular routine every two weeks should do the trick nicely.

Tags: controlling your acne, oily skin