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Oily skin is predominantly caused by the overproduction of oil through the sebaceous gland. The oil formed is often regarded as sebum and the skin needs it to stay healthy. There are a few perks that come with having oily skin. For instance, you do not have to worry about wrinkles and the likes. However, the downside to having oily skin is the breakout of acne.
Acne could be frequent or infrequent breakout which can make you feel frustrated and annoyed. It can be a source of nightmare for some people. There is no need to be despair because this article has been carefully compiled to guide you through some ways you can get rid of acne for good. Read on to find out more!
What Causes Acne?
To start with, to get rid of acne, you must know what triggers acne in the first place. The causes include
1. Genetics
Your acne problem might not just be caused by other things. It could just be a family trait! As bad as it might sound, it is a natural way you can develop acne. You are burdened and more prone to experiencing acne if your parent(s) have a history of acne. Although this is a rare phenomenon you need to know about it.
2. Overproduction of Sebum
On a normal convention, oily skin is known for its overproduction of sebum. Although sebum is quite healthy to the skin when it is in excess it could be a nuisance. It could result in the clogging of your pores. The clogged pores can lead to the formation of a thick layer over the skin that can allow for the proliferation of microorganisms like bacteria. This will ultimately lead to appearances of acne.
3. Nutrition
Nutrition or diet also plays a role in causing acne. This is not to say that taking a good meal isn’t good for the body. But, ingestion of food that could trigger the production of more oil is a disadvantage for an individual with an oily skin type. Foods such as chocolates, milk, fried food can all trigger the breakout of acne. Better to stay away from such foods to save yourself the risk of having acne
4. Stress
Stress also contributes to experiencing acne. A tough day under the scorching sun can hurt your skin. You might be overwhelmed by stress and end up triggering acne. Have a way to manage your stress levels at all times. Yoga and exercise could just be the best way to handle stress
5. Hormones
During puberty and pregnancy, there could be a hormonal imbalance that can cause an enlarged pore and overproduction of sebum that could lead to acne. The use of contraceptives can also cause a hormonal imbalance and hence leading to the breakout of acne.
By now you might be thinking of the possible ways to solve all these problems, the next section discusses just that. Continue reading!
How to Get Rid of Acne?
Getting rid of acne for good is possible if only the right care is taken and observed. Therefore, this section will explicitly talk about how to get rid of any form of acne for good. Below is all you need to do to get of acne
1. Regular Washing of the Skin
Oily skin needs to be washed regularly to remove the buildup of oily particles present on the skin. Wash your skin using mild soap and water preferably a warm one. When doing this, care must be taken on what product you wash with. Soap products containing fragrances and bad chemicals should be avoided as this can trigger the breakout of acne.
Instead, use products that could help to prevent or treat acne. For instance, products containing salicylic acid and glycolic acid have been proved to be effective in this regard. Here is a quick overview of some of the useful products that can be used
- Salicylic acid – Salicylic acid can dissolve oil rapidly and this makes it one of the best products to use when treating acne. It is anti-inflammatory, penetrates the skin deeply and rapidly, clears off clogged pores. It should be used appropriately to prevent further skin irritations
- Glycolic acid – For your acne scars, glycolic acid can help in removing the scars while reducing your enlarged pore size
- Zinc products – Research has shown that zinc also has a good anti-inflammatory property. It can help reduce acne scars
- Benzyl peroxide – It also has an anti-inflammatory property that can ward off the proliferation of bacteria on the skin.
While cleansing is also a kind of washing. You should try to cleanse at least twice a day. Choose a mild oil-free cleanser. You should also note that aggressive cleansing can cause further skin problems.
2. Get an Astringent
The use of astringent can also help to treat acne. Astringent is specifically formulated for oily skin because it can help to remove excess oil from the skin. A naturally formulated astringent is your best bet such as witch hazel. Some astringents also contain salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
As part of your skincare routine, astringents should be used after washing or cleansing but before moisturizing
3. Avoid Scrubbing the Skin
You might want to fulfill all righteousness by scrubbing your skin because you feel that scrubbing will help to remove excess oil buildup from the skin. This is false because the skin will always want to replenish the lost oil in folds and this could worsen your acne.
Instead, avoid scrubbing the skin. You could go for more subtle means to remove excess oil from your body. You can use blotting and medicated pads which contain vital ingredients like salicylic acid and the likes.
4. Pat Your Skin Dry
While drying your skin, you shouldn’t drag your towel on your body. You should pat your skin especially the face dry. Avoid using harsh towels or washcloths which can trick the body into creating more sebum.
5. Exfoliate
You can exfoliate to reduce the amount of oil on your skin. Acne can also be a result of enlarged pores. Therefore, exfoliating can help reduce the appearance of the pores that can lead to the break out of acne. However, care must be taken when exfoliating as it can strip the body of its natural oil which can cause skin irritations.
What Are Some of the Natural Treatments to Get Rid of Acne?
There are a lot of natural remedies you can use to get rid of acne mostly organic. Here are some of the natural remedies that you can try out
1. Honey and Turmeric
Studies have shown that honey is quite therapeutic. Now, when honey and turmeric are mixed, the chances of solving any skin conditions are extremely high. They are a potent form of acne natural treatment, thanks to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory tendencies.
2. Aloe Vera
Another outstanding natural remedy is the aloe plant. Aloe vera can act as an astringent thereby hindering the production of more sebum. With its anti-inflammatory properties, you can be sure that it will heal your scars with time. It also inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as fungi on the face, making your face clear of dirt and smooth. Just apply the leaves of the plants to the face!
3. Green Tea
Research has shown that green tea contains a high amount of antioxidants, flavonoids, and tannins which are quite good in treating acne. Antioxidants prevent the damages done by free radicals, flavonoids are an anti-acne treatment and tannins can help reduce the pore size that can cause acne.
4. Oatmeal
Oatmeal has been known to treat acne effectively because it contains antioxidant and zinc properties that can help to get rid of acne. All you have to do is just make an oatmeal mask and apply it to the face
Other natural remedies include the use of apple vinegar and lemon juice
What Are the Clinical Treatments to Get Rid of Acne?
Perhaps you want to go all medical in getting rid of acne especially the scars. Here are some treatment methods
1. Dermal Fillers
If you want to remove the scars caused by acne, this is one of the best possible treatments. Soft tissues are used to remove the appearance of scars.
2. Microneedling
This treatment will stimulate the production of collagen using small needles that will help to remove the marks of acne
How Can You Prevent Acne?
Prevention should also be part of ways to get rid of acne especially if your acne is induced by genetics and hormones.
We recommend you look for a skincare routine that will be perfect for your skin and then be consistent with it. When considering your skincare regimen, go for products that are labeled “non-comedogenic”. Also, use products that are oil-free and water-based. Doing this will guarantee you to free of acne for good
Conclusion
Acne is a major skin condition faced by people with oily skin. It can be treated if the right care is taken. Treatment includes washing, using astringents, exfoliating, and much more. You can also get rid of acne by using natural remedies and clinical treatments. Also, prevention is better than cure. Follow the tips provided to have smooth and healthy skin.