New Ways To Clear Up Your Acne

Is acne getting you down? Acne can depress most people, and for teenagers it can be terrible. But there are things that you can do to lessen the appearance of acne. There are no overnight cures, but following our tips will bring about an improvement.

As a natural alternative to acne medications, try a homemade strawberry mask. Blend equal parts strawberries and unflavored yogurt together and apply it to your face for 10 minutes. Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid, the active ingredient in most acne medications, and the yogurt will help to calm your skin.

<DIV style='float: left; width: 150px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;'><DIV style='background-color: #FFFFCC; color: #000000;'><small><font color='#FF0000'><b>TIP!</b></font> To improve your acne, try not to touch your face unless absolutely necessary. Your hands are dirty, and touching your face can cause bacteria and dirt to enter your pores and cause breakouts.</small></DIV></DIV>

Consume less caffeine. Caffeine can increase the amount of acne you have because it can cause anxiety and stress. Both are known to cause acne problems. If you drink coffee or soda, cut back on it. This can help prevent acne from occurring and can help clear up existing acne.

A person whose skin is prone to acne should never, EVER touch their face! Don't rest on your chin on your hand, don't rub your cheek, and definitely do not scratch anything! Your hands have all sorts of oil and bacteria on them, and the last thing you want is to transfer it from your fingers to face.

An important tip to consider when concerning acne on your back is to wash your back up to twice a day. Depending on your oil production, this might be necessary to keep your back free from acne. If you do wash this frequently, be sure that you use a mild body wash or soap to prevent drying and irritation.

<DIV style='float: right; width: 150px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;'><DIV style='background-color: #FFFFCC; color: #000000;'><small><font color='#FF0000'><b>TIP!</b></font> To get rid of acne, make sure you are getting a good night's sleep every night. Sleep is what your body needs to repair itself from the wear and tear of the day, and this also holds true for your skin.</small></DIV></DIV>

Spend lots of time out in the sunshine. Some types of acne respond well to sunlight, as the ultra violet radiation can kill propionibacterium acnes and the heat from the sun can help to dry out oil on the skin that can blocks pores. Just be aware that too much sun can damage the skin further and cause premature ageing.

Living a healthier life can cut back significantly on your acne outbreaks. For example, too much caffeine exacerbates your outbreaks as do other stimulants like nicotine. Likewise, overly oily, fatty or salty foods clog your pores and create an ideal environment for acne. By cleaning up bad habits, you can also clean up your skin.

Apply a light honey mask, or other kinds of antibacterial masks that can help to clean the bacteria off your face. Bacteria may sometimes be the cause of acne, often residing deep within the pores and producing a pus-like byproduct. Masks like honey are both anti-bacterial and very gentle on the skin, so it is a great, non-harsh treatment for your skin.

Granted, some of this advice is easier to apply than others. However, there is no doubt that if you get tough on yourself, and consistently apply this advice, that you will see a difference in your skin. So, what are you waiting for? There's no time better than now to get started.