To keep your skin healthy and clear, try to limit how many products you use each day. For instance, you might only wear makeup on special occasions. You may also want to research different brands to find products that are made with all-natural or organic ingredients. Don’t use any product after its expiration date, or if the color or smell changes after you’ve had it for a while. If a product is expired, it could cause breakouts or skin infections.
Don’t scrub your face when you wash it. Instead, gently rub the cleanser into your skin using your fingertips, and splash water onto your face to rinse the soap away. When you’re finished, gently pat your face dry with a soft towel. [3] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source Use a gentle, all-natural cleanser that’s formulated for your skin type. For instance, if you have dry skin, you might use a lightweight, moisturizing cleanser. If you have oily skin, you might use a foaming deep cleanser. For acne breakouts, you might use a product containing salicylic acid. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you wear makeup, always take off your makeup before bed. Otherwise, it could cause you to break out. [5] X Research source
Shaving can be very irritating to your skin, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with razor bumps, or even nicks or cuts that could potentially get infected. Opt for a shaving cream that’s labeled either “moisturizing” or “for sensitive skin” for the gentlest shave.
Avoid products with alcohol, as these can dry out your skin. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source If you have oily skin, opt for a lightweight, water-based moisturizer. If your skin is very dry, you might use a rich oil-based moisturizer. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source To help prevent fine lines and wrinkles, try a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally-occurring compound that can help keep your skin hydrated and firm. Other ingredients that may help keep your skin looking smooth and firm include copper peptide, alpha-lipoic acid, and DMAE, which is derived from fish. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you have combination skin, you might need to use separate products for the different areas of your face. For instance, if you only get dry skin on the sides of your nose, you might use a thicker moisturizer there, and a lightweight product on the rest of your face.
Avoid scrubbing your skin with rough washcloths or sponges, as this can irritate it and dry it out. When your skin is dry, it might look dull or ashen, and it might even begin to overproduce oil, which can lead to acne. [12] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source Board-certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen suggests “only washing the dirty parts of your body with soap, like your groin, your armpits, under your breasts, and between your toes. " Try using a moisturizing body wash to clean your skin gently without drying it out.
For instance, you might mix 1 tbsp (12 g) of white or brown sugar with 2 US tbsp (30 ml) of olive or coconut oil. Gently rub the mixture into your skin in a circular motion, then rinse it away thoroughly.
Regularly wash anything that touches your face, including your phone, glasses, sunglasses, and pillowcase, as they can also transfer dirt to your skin. Keep your hair clean to help prevent oil buildup that could lead to breakouts. . [14] X Research source
Popping your pimples can also increase the risk that you’ll develop scarring at the blemish site.
There’s a chance that your doctor will recommend an over-the-counter topical cream, because these are inexpensive and usually very effective at treating acne. However, if you want to avoid these, let your doctor know about your concerns, but be open to hearing what they have to say, too.
Some people are sensitive to tea tree oil, so before you use it, dab just a little on the side of your jaw. If you experience any redness or itching, do not use the product anymore. Never use pure tea tree oil on your skin, as it may cause irritation. Although more information is needed to test their effectiveness, you may find some relief from acne by using products containing bovine cartilage, zinc, green tea extract, or aloe vera.
If you use alpha hydroxy acid, you may notice that your skin gets red or slightly irritated, and you may have an increased sensitivity to sunlight.
To use azelaic acid, apply a thin layer to the affected area twice a day for at least 4 weeks.
Taking brewer’s yeast can have some side effects, so talk to your doctor before you start taking it. For instance, it may cause digestive issues, including gas, and it could worsen Chron’s disease. It may also raise your blood pressure if you’re taking an MAOI. [20] X Research source
Other fluids, including juice, broth, tea, and soda, count towards your daily fluid intake. However, water is the healthiest option for your skin. If you’re a woman, you should drink about 11. 5 cups (2. 7 l) of fluids each day. If you’re a man, try to drink about 15. 5 cups (3. 7 l) every day.
Amino acids help your body produce collagen, the protein that primarily makes up your skin. Get amino acids in your diet from foods like chicken, fish, beef, eggs, dairy, and beans to get amino acids. Add vitamin C to your diet to help repair your skin naturally. You can find vitamin C in foods like citrus fruits, greens, broccoli, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Include skin-protecting minerals zinc and copper in your diet by eating meat and shellfish. If you prefer a plant-based diet, eat plenty of nuts, whole grains, and beans. To help fight acne, get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as flaxseeds and walnuts. You can also take a supplement containing flax oil, flaxseeds, or fish oil. [23] X Research source
If you’re wearing normal clothing, use about 2 tsp (9. 9 ml) of sunscreen to cover your head, neck, and arms. If you’re wearing a swimsuit, it will take about 2 US tbsp (30 ml) to cover your whole body. Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if you’re swimming, sweating, or if you think the sunscreen may have gotten rubbed away. [25] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Sun damage can lead to premature aging. [26] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
If you’re an adult, you need about 7-8 hours of sleep a night. If you’re a teen, try to get 9 hours of sleep every night. If you don’t sleep well, you might notice that your skin looks dull and pale, and you might have dark circles under your eyes. Feeling fatigued can also make it harder to manage stress, which could potentially lead to more frequent breakouts. Try using a satin pillowcase to reduce the friction against your face while you sleep.
If you can’t eliminate the source of your stress, try mindful meditation, deep breathing techniques, or yoga to help you manage it, instead.
Try talking to your doctor about smoking cessation aids like gum or patches to help you quit. It’s important to have a support system to rely on while you’re quitting. If you aren’t sure you can lean on your family and friends, try joining a support group while you quit.
If you’re a woman, try to stick to one serving of alcohol a day. If you’re a man, try not to have more than 2 servings a day. A serving of alcohol is 12 fl oz (350 ml) of a beer with an ABV of about 5%, 5 fl oz (150 ml) of wine that’s around 12% ABV, or a 1. 5 fl oz (44 ml) shot of a 40% ABV (80 proof) liquor. [31] X Research source
Tell your doctor that you want to try natural treatments. They can advise you on what’s safe to try on your skin. For instance, you could have a condition like rosacea, eczema, or a fungal infection.
Let them know that you’ve been using natural treatments and would like to continue to do so, if possible. Tell your doctor about all of the treatments you’ve tried so far.
If hormonal shifts are causing your acne, hormonal birth control may help clear your acne.
Since the cystic or nodule acne starts deep under your skin, you’ll likely need to take oral medications to help clear up your skin. This may include an antibiotic or hormonal birth control.
Difficulty breathing Swelling of your eyes, lips, or face Tightness in your throat Feeling faint
