Basic Skincare Tips and Remedies for Acne and Rosacea

If you suffer from acne or rosacea, then you must know how important it is to keep your skin clean and protected from dirt and debris, and other environmental problems. They not only can cause these breakouts and inflammation but can also worsen these symptoms to the point that you have to get medical help. So the best thing is to take care of your skin as much as you can and try to reduce the acne-causing bacteria.

Apart from the environmental effects, too many products will also be aggressive and can disrupt the skin barrier. So be careful while choosing the products which should be mild cleansing products and gentle skincare regime because, with such sensitive skin, less is often more. These basic things which you might think you already know but are really important to practice religiously to avoid irritation and breakouts.


Skincare Tips

1. Do not wash the face with ice-cold water as this will contract the skin pores. Use lukewarm or warm water instead.

2. Washing too frequently, especially excessive scrubbing, will aggravate the problem. Don’t overdo it. Washing the face gently two or three times a day is enough.

3. Avoid soaps with a pH of 8–12 as they disrupt the skin barrier. Soaps also tend to clog the skin pores, so a gentle soap-free cleanser is best.

4. Hydrophilic, water-containing products such as light oil in water emulsions are preferable, and ideally hyaluronic acid based cleansers, which clean without damaging the skin barrier.

5. Keep your hands off the pimples. Dirty hands can worsen infections. Also, avoid resting your hands or phone against the side of your face.

6. Do not manually express pus from pustules. This should only ever be done by a professional with clean equipment and appropriate technique. The non-professional squeezing of pimples can worsen inflammation, resulting in scars and enlarged pores.

7. Be careful with exfoliation. Many exfoliating products are too aggressive and damage the skin. When exfoliating, use gentle products, once or twice a week maximum. Consider simply using cloths with a tighter weave, such as a towel or washcloth, for gentle manual exfoliation.

8. Do not expose irritated skin to the sun. Aside from the risk of sunburn, particularly for those with sensitive skin, UV radiation primarily hits injured skin and very easily creates hyperpigmentation. Moreover, UV radiation dries out the pimples but it doesn’t make them go away. In the long term, it also causes the skin to age more quickly and increases the risk of skin cancer.

9. Never go to bed without cleaning the face. All dirt from the course of the day needs to be removed, especially in big cities where pollution is high. Cleanse the face of dirt, bacteria, sweat, and excess sebum before going to sleep.

10. Always remove mascara and foundation before going to bed, even when tired. Any make-up residue left behind can clog the skin pores, which can result in more pimples. Cosmetics that are not thoroughly removed can also irritate the skin and eyes.

11. Always use a clean towel. Even after a single use, the fabric will pick up many bacteria, which will then transfer to the face if the towel is reused. Therefore, change towels and face cloths very frequently, even daily in acute cases.


Home Remedies

1. Zinc oxide
Mostly used in rash creams and sunblocks, this is a common home remedy for acne. Take small amounts of natural zinc oxide cream and apply it to affected skin lesions. Leave it for overnight or while you are staying at home as it will become white layer on your skin. It has a disinfectant effect, calms irritated skin, and helps the skin to heal.

However zinc oxide ointment can also have a strong drying effect so it should not be used for too long and don’t overdo it. Always look for high quality products. Many ready-made zinc creams contain a large amount of petroleum jelly which leaves a greasy film on the skin and may also clog the pores. So only the affected skin lesions should be covered with a thin layer of the ointment.

2. Aloe vera
This plans gel is another useful home remedy. It has a cooling effect, soothe the skin and relieve redness and itching due to inflammation. Aloe vera generally supports skin regeneration and has a moisturizing effect. So, it can also be used in mild cases and for general skincare.

When used as a gel, always store the product in the refrigerator because it is very sensitive to oxidation. When you have have serious acne rosacea apply alovera gel directly taken from fridge to sooth and calm the skin. Sometimes, the face is very red and feels hot and inflamed, and using cool aloe vera gives immediate relief. If you cannot find natural leaf try this natural aloe vera gel.

3. Healing clay
This clay is also very common and easy to use which can be available as a ready-made paste or as a powder which can be mixed with water. Apply it to the skin as a mask and leave until it is completely dry. The skin will be cleaned from dirt, sebum, and bacteria. Clogged pores are released, allowing the skin to be better supplied with nutrients and oxygen. However, healing clay also dries out the skin so if you have very sensitive or naturally very dry skin, moisturize the skin after treatment.

4. Tea tree oil
A natural essential oil that is extracted from the tea tree. It has an anti-bacterial effect and is applied directly to the inflamed or reddened skin areas for acne treatment. Disadvantages of tea tree oil are that it has a very intense smell and can irritate the skin in sensitive skin. Diluting the oil is best option for such skin and try to get the good quality product.