I get asked this question alot. It is ridiculous how many people don’t do the basics and have really bad acne as a result, and yet think that they should have great skin. Most of the time, if you do the basics, the rest looks after itself.
If I were to sum up in one word the best way of how to get rid of blackheads naturally, it would have to be “consistency”. It’s pretty rare that people who have bad acne, get rid of it fast. But finding a way that works for your skin, and doing it religiously every day, is the probably the most reliable and consistent way to get rid of bad acne. We’ve all seen the bad acne pictures. The truth is that some of them probably suffer needlessly.
No More Bad Acne!!!
As a foundation to creating a strategy to overcome acne, I offer 3 steps to help people with bad acne face it and conquer it. First, you need to find an acne face wash that works best with your skin type. Then you need to find a cleanser to remove the buildup of gunk that you may have put on your face with a toner or astringent – like sunscreen, insect repellent. The next step is to find an oil-free moisturizer. I have personally found that Clinique’s 3 step process is effective, but there are many cheaper, and possibly better alternatives out there. You also need to remember that your skin adapts to any products you use, so it sometimes helps to change them up, and cycle through 2 or 3 every month or two.
Step 1: Finding and Using a Face Wash
When buying an acne face wash, make sure the packaging has terms like “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” (meaning it won’t inflame your acne more) on it. If you have the type of acne which has redness, avoid any sort of facial scrub that is a scrub which contains particles to “exfoliate”. Remember, you’re looking for a really gentle wash. Many acne face washes have active ingredients, for example: Neutrogena Acne Wash “Oil-Free Cream Cleanser” which contains 2% salicylic acid. Clean & Clear “Continuous Control Acne Cleanser” has 10% benzoyl peroxide in it. Washes with Tea Tree oil in it are also good at removing blackheads, as is the new product, Acnezine. Made by the manufacturer renowned for their famous Revitol stretch creams, you can buy Acnezine online and in most chemists. Wash your face only once per day in the evening. Too much washing will give your acne irritation. Treat your skin like your best friend. Wash your face with your hands only, no face cloths, loofahs or other application devices. Once this is done, pat your skin dry, do not rub it with a towel, as again, this will irritate it.
It may be difficult if the source of your main affected area is on your back. Bad back acne should be treated in just the same way as other types of acne. If you need a little bit of help applying wash or cream to your back as you don’t have anyone to help you with it, there are various devices to help you with it. Check out this video for a practical demo of one such device.
Step 2: Choosing a Face Toner or Astringent
The reason you need a facial toner is to get rid of the residue that the face wash misses – dirt and oil, make-up, or dead skin cells. Although the jury is divided as to whether this step is necessary, astringents can restore the PH balance in the skin, (most cleansers are alkaline based products, which can affect your skin). Toners prepare your skin for step 3, moisturizer application and/or anti-aging treatments. Facial toners can tighten the pores in your skin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines in your face. They are particularly effective for people with oily skin, by controlling face acne. Most facial toners nowadays are designed with gentle astringent herbs, and anti-irritants, to augment a skin regime.
Step 3: Use a Moisturizer
The fundamental rule of skin care is that you MUST moisturize – even if your skin is very oily. All skin will benefit from the use of a moisturizer. If you are trying to find out how to say “bye bye blemish“, it’s probably best to find an oil free moisturizer, and use it only on the dry skin. This is because some moisturizers trap moisture in your skin, and you don’t want excess fluids here, as it can easily. How do you work out when/if your skin needs moisturizing? The best way is to listen to it. If your face feels tight or dry after you’ve washed it, then moisturize. Be wary of too much though, as this can easily clog pores and lead to face acne.
Fixing Bad Acne Scars
There are a number of ways to solve bad acne face scars. Micro-dermabrasion (laser surgery) is often the most efficient way of smoothing acne scars, but there are a number of home remedies for scars you may want to try first. Baking soda and lemons are reportedly 2 of the most popular ways, as they have acid which removes dead skin, and nutrients which penetrate it.
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