Acne Skin Care Guides

Keeping your skin clean, healthy, and good looking is an important part of your daily routine. Millions of women and men use a wide range of cosmetics and skin care products everyday. A recent survey has found up to 5 percent of the women who use skin care products and cosmetics experience an adverse reaction. This chapter provides a brief guides to choose right care products for your skin and apply with correct techniques.

Acne Skin Care for Women

Astringents are good for those with oily skin, as they close the pores after cleansing and reduce the amount of sebum produced. Often these contain alcohol, which also removes any traces of the cleanser used. Apply an astringent before applying makeup, to reduce the risk of blackheads and help the makeup last longer.

Exfoliants encourage the removal of dead skin cells, but those containing minute granules, such as crushed peach or avocado stones, should never be used on acne pustules.

For deeper cleansing, regular facials, such as mud packs, can be helpful  on problem skin and these can be applied at home or at a beauty salon, by a qualified beauty therapist.

As with facial cleansers, always choose   pH-balanced, oil-free bath and shower products.

Often oily skin can be accompanied by greasy hair. Choose a shampoo designed for your hair type, and use conditioner separately.

Moisturizers and Foundations

Moisturizers retard the loss of natural moisture from the skin, preventing dryness and other cell damage. Foundations provide a base for the rest of your makeup.

Foundations and powders, which are applied to those parts of the face that are acne prone, may plug up the pores and cause whiteheads and blackheads, or  comedones or acne. Choose products which are described "oil free" and preferably also "non-comedogenic".

Makeup Removers and Cleansers

It's important to remove your makeup at the end of each day, not only to remove dirt and grime from the atmosphere, but to remove loose skin cells. And it's more effective to remove makeup with a cleansing cream or lotion before washing the face. Choose an oil-free lotion or gel makeup remover which is designed for sensitive or oily skins and is non-comedogenic.

Acne Skin Care for Men

Same as women, always use cleansing, moisturizing and shaving products which are described as gentle, sensitive skin, or non-allergenic, or non-comedogenic.