Instead of trying to deal with an acne breakout after it happens, people who have to deal with regular acne breakouts would be better off if they worked to prevent breakouts from ever happening in the first place. There are lots of reasons why a person may experience an acne breakout. For example, excessively tight clothing or clothes that trap sweat and oil can cause the skin to breakout with acne. Hormonal imbalances can also be responsible for acne.
Proper acne care requires that a person prevents dead skin cells from mixing with the sebum that is secreted from the sebaceous glands. It is this mixture that clogs pores and appears on the skin as acne.
Some people remain convinced that acne can be caused by eating certain foods, but there is no scientific proof that links eating food to the outbreak of acne. It is also important to keep in mind that adolescents going through puberty are not the only people who should practice good acne care. Any person of any age, male or female, can potentially be susceptible to acne.
Sweating from rigorous exercise, especially if confined with tight clothing can add to the potential for an acne breakout. Showering immediately after an exercise session can lessen the chances of an outbreak. However, good acne care also includes exfoliating the dead skin cells from the surface, followed up with a moisturizer to help the dried skin from flaking and causing additional acne troubles.
Proper Cleansing Requires More Than Soap And Water
Some people imagine that they are taking the necessary steps to prevent acne breakouts, yet they still experience skin problems. Sometimes the soap that people imagine is helping to prevent acne is actually the source of the problem. Some drier sheets used in laundry and some deodorant soaps can be responsible for acne breakouts. Certain types of make-up contain high amounts of oil and thus can make the skin prone to a breakout of acne as well.
To care for the skin, you should use a 5% benzoyl peroxide solution on sensitive areas and a 10% formula on areas where your skin is thicker. Remember, however, that moisturizing the skin with an oil-free moisturizer is important after administering a benzoyl peroxide solution since the latter dries out the skin.
You may need to visit a dermatologist if you have found that, despite using several different acne products, your acne problem has not gotten better at all. The dermatologist can suggest a topical medication or even a prescription antibiotic if they believe it would be necessary in your case.