Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
Conversations about acne on the interwebs have long been ongoing, with TikTok star Azziad Nasenya being the latest celebrity to open up about her acne woes and to share her healing process.
Effective acne treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one begins to go away, others seem to crop up.
According to Skin-care enthusiast and content creator Scovia Miruka, if you have acne-prone skin and wondering how to prevent further breakouts, here are some useful tips.
Have a skincare routine
It doesn’t have to be complex (no need for a 10-step routine.) Just have something that works for you. This should include a gentle cleanser, moisturizer (regardless of your skin type), treatment product (with active ingredients to keep the acne at bay), and sunscreen.
Remember to choose products according to your skin type. This will help prevent future breakouts if the right products are used and facilitate faster healing of your skin.
Eating right
Skin experts are still divided on whether food affects your skin health, but it doesn’t hurt to have a balanced diet. Reduce your sugar intake to help prevent inflammation.
Keep your hands off your face
Avoid touching your face or propping your cheek or chin on your hands. Not only can you spread bacteria, you can also irritate the already inflamed facial skin. Never pick or pop pimples with your fingers, as it can lead to infection and scarring.
Don’t pick or pop your pimples, ever!
It only increases your chances for inflammation and can lead to scarring.
Change your sheets/pillowcase at least weekly
If there’s dirt and oil on your sheets, it will rub off on your skin while you sleep. This is especially important for your pillowcase because it’s where you rest your face.
Consult a dermatologist
In case you experience severe acne, see a dermatologist as soon as possible. Do not wait for things to get worse as this will cost you more money and time. Hormonal acne may prove difficult to treat but with the right dermatologist, you should have healthy skin.
Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages. For many women, acne can persist for decades, with flares common a week before menstruation. Acne typically appears on your face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders because these areas of skin have the most oil (sebaceous) glands.
