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What to Do When Your Acne’s Got You Down

No matter your age, acne can be a real burden on your confidence. Of course, many people experience the occasional blemish that disappears with time. But if you have lingering acne, you may need to take more proactive measures. So here are a few things you can do to help start combating your acne.

1. Medicate to Alleviate

First and foremost, if you need immediate relief, consider over-the-counter medications. You can find these at your local pharmacy. Keep in mind that most acne medications fall into one of three major categories depending on the active ingredient. Retinoids dry up skin oiliness and unclog pores; salicylic acid eases inflammation, and benzoyl peroxide decreases bacteria linked to acne. Finding the right product for your skin type may take some trial and error.

If over-the-counter meds just aren’t working, you may need professional acne treatment. These days, you can get a personalized acne prescription online. An online medical professional will help you find a medication that’s just right for your unique body chemistry. Getting a consultation online can expedite your healing process. Consider this option if you need targeted help for both short and long-term relief.

Fighting acne can be a frustrating and drawn-out experience. If you’re feeling down, having someone on your team can be a boon. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

2. Rest and Relax

Besides medication, there are many alternative ways to address the blemishes on your body. You see, your outbreaks may be a sign that your body and lifestyle are unbalanced. Take some time to reflect on your habits and consider how they might be affecting your skin.

For example, there is some evidence to suggest that acne is sometimes caused by stress. And sleep is one of the best ways to decompress from a stressful day. So go to sleep at the same time every night for a week and see if your acne starts to improve. Make sure not to use your phone or other electronics an hour before bed so you can ease into slumber.

Meditation is another excellent way to help your body de-stress. It doesn’t matter when you meditate or for how long. Even one minute gives your mind a chance to relax and detach from its rambling narrative. And the more you meditate, the more adept you become and the easier you can enter a meditative state.

De-stressing is good for your overall well-being. Hopefully, as you de-stress, your acne will improve over time. It’s never a bad idea to try and improve your lifestyle.

3. Get Active

Now that you’re getting such excellent shut-eye, what will you do with all your new-found energy? Exercise is a great way to move toward having clearer skin. Just like sleep and meditation, exercise can de-stress the body. In addition, it helps regulate your hormones, blood sugar levels, and even how oily your skin gets. All of these are major culprits for outbreaks and prolonged battles with acne.

Before you start looking into gym memberships, keep in mind that even moderate activity counts. It’s easy to live sedentary lives in our modern society. Just getting up and taking a brisk walk outside can be a great help. Start small, pay attention to your body after a week or two of light activity, and see if things improve. If you do decide to start lifting weights or other vigorous activities, you may see even more benefits.

One thing to keep in mind as you increase your level of activity: stay clean. The more you move, the more you sweat, so make sure to adjust accordingly. You may need to start bathing more often than usual. Don’t let the sweat sit on your skin for too long, or you’ll clog your pores even more.

4. Eat Healthy

You must be hungry after all that exercise! And that sugary snack looks extra tempting, doesn’t it? As you can probably guess, it’s a good idea to refrain. Exercise balances your blood sugar level, so that sweet snack might undo all your hard work.

Take a look at what you’re putting into your body on a regular basis. Just like a car needs the right kind of fuel to run properly, your body needs proper nourishment. There are endless exercise and diet gurus who will give you similar and conflicting information on what’s correct. But, ultimately, everyone’s body is unique. So just like it’s important to find a medication that works for you, it’s essential to test different diets.

Some foods will help or hurt your skin more than others. In general, avoid sugary, processed foods, and eat more foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats like omega-3 instead. Keep track of what you eat to document any significant changes. You may be able to find certain foods correlate to breakouts, and then you’ll know to eat them sparingly. If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed in a sea of information, consider seeing a nutritionist.

Strike a Balance

No matter how you approach acne treatment, do your best to strike a balance. There’s no one right way to heal your skin. Some methods that work for other people might not work for you. Slow and steady wins the race here. Keep track of your progress and have faith that things will get better over time.

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