There’s an endless supply of DIY beauty hacks floating around the internet these days. Unfortunately, many of them can cause more harm than good, especially when it comes to acne. That’s why our team wanted to share safe and effective strategies for clearing up your skin.
Juan-Carlos Caballero, MD, and the team at Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center in Warrenton, Virginia, understand the toll acne can take on your self-confidence. However, it’s essential to treat your skin carefully to avoid causing worse problems, such as dark spots and scarring. Fortunately, these five genius hacks can actually do wonders for your skin.
You may not associate your pillow with your complexion, but it can be a breeding ground for acne.
Since a pillowcase is fabric, it naturally hangs on to oil, dirt, and bacteria when exposed to faces, hair, and the environment. To reduce your risk of breakouts, change your pillow covering at least once a week — and that goes for sleep masks and face towels, too.
You can make skin issues worse by using the wrong cleansers, especially if they contain harsh or irritating ingredients. Your skin needs natural oils to stay healthy and hydrated, and constantly removing them may harm your skin.
You need to use the right products for your skin type. Furthermore, you need to understand that there can be too much of a good thing, such as exfoliating too often.
If you struggle with acne, our team can provide personalized recommendations on the best techniques and products for your skin, so you can have it looking great in no time.
If you’re big on using cosmetics, know this: Sometimes the clearest skin belongs to people who skip their makeup on most days or apply minimal products. However, if you feel your best by wearing cosmetics, try using products that can treat blemishes and camouflage them at the same time.
It’s also essential to clean your brushes and other applicators regularly to remove debris, bacteria, and oil that can cause skin inflammation or breakouts. Similarly, always remove your makeup at the end of the day and before heading to the gym to keep unwanted bacteria at bay.
Finally, remember to wash your hands often, especially before touching your face, to avoid spreading acne-triggering bacteria to your skin.
It’s tempting to give a red, inflamed pimple a big squeeze, but that can spell bad news. Instead, take a minute to chill out — literally!
Head to your freezer and grab an ice cube, then apply it directly to the blemish for a few minutes, repeating as necessary with breaks in between. This strategy can help decrease inflammation and reduce the size and visibility of the pimple.
No access to ice? You can also reduce the appearance of acne-related redness with a few dabs of hydrocortisone cream. Simply wash your face and use clean hands to dab a small amount on your pimple.
Benzoyl peroxide is well-known for its ability to kill acne-causing bacteria. With daily use, it can do wonders to fight flare-ups and keep acne at bay.
One of our favorite acne hacks involves dabbing a bit of benzoyl peroxide cream or spot treatment on a blemish and covering the area with a small bandage to increase absorption. However, it’s important to note that these products are also very drying, so it’s essential to use them as directed.
While these simple hacks can help start you on the path to clearer skin, it’s also vital to know when to seek professional care. If you have ongoing or severe acne breakouts, we can help determine what’s behind your symptoms and create a treatment strategy to help.
Do you struggle with acne or other skin issues? We can give you a thorough evaluation and design a treatment plan to help you have great skin. To learn more, call 540-701-4656 or request an appointment online with Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center today.
