Wednesday 23 May 2012

Keep Acne At Bay


Acne always seems to pop up at the most inopportune times. Whether you have a large pimple or simple blackheads, acne can become the bane of your existence. Acne is not just a problem for teenagers, it can affect adults of all ages. These easy steps can help you keep acne away.

Of course, you may have noticed that acne likes to appear right before that big date, important interview or the presentation that could earn you a promotion. The reason for that is your increased stress level. Increased stress is associated with lowered immunity which can lead to increased acne breakouts. The inflammation caused by a continually stressed immune system and the excess release of stress hormones often presents as acne. You cannot avoid all the stress in life, but you can learn to reduce your stress. Regular physical exercise, a balanced diet and relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, can help your body recover from the stress of life.

Foods that contain caffeine can exacerbate acne. Caffeine intake increases your body's acid levels, which leads to an increase in inflammation. The increased inflammation causes acne that penetrates deep into the layers of the skin. An acidic environment also prevents the cells throughout your body from repairing themselves properly. Although a moderate amount of caffeine is not a problem, you should avoid excessive caffeine consumption.

Although the link between diet and acne is not fully understood at this time, doctors do know that certain foods increase your body's immune response. Processed sugar, for example, triggers the release of insulin, which alerts the immune system and activates your body's inflammation response, leading to acne. A diet containing an adequate amount of omega-3 fatty acids and complex carbohydrates can help calm your body's immune response and relieve inflammation.

Keeping your face clean and oil-free helps in your fight against acne. You should use a mild facial cleanser at least twice a day. Never go to bed without cleaning your make-up off. You may need to try several facial cleansers to find one that cleans without drying out your skin or causing oil build up. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol or harsh chemicals.

Avoid touching your face with your hands or other objects, such as telephones and cigarettes. Touching your face can transfer bacteria to the delicate skin on your face. This bacteria can get into your pores and cause pimples. Your hands also contain oils that can cause acne. If you smoke cigarettes, you may need to wash your face more often.

When eating pizza, burgers and other greasy food, make sure you wipe your face often with a clean napkin. Messy food can leave oils on your face that can cause pimples. Fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants can help the cells in your skin repair themselves.

You can improve your chances of avoiding an acne breakout by implementing these basic techniques. Pimples can decrease your self-confidence and make stressful situations more difficult. Clearing your face of acne is the first step to having beautiful skin.

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