Clean your face once or twice daily with a cleanser. Exfoliate sparingly, sometimes only once a week. [2] X Research source Finish with a moisturizer once in the morning and once in the evening.
For example, if you are experiencing a breakout on your forehead, and you know the skin on your forehead tends to get oily, use a spot treatment to tackle the oil just on your forehead. If the skin on your cheeks tend to get dry and irritated, use a moisturizing product only on that area.
You will need three tablespoons honey, ½ cup vegetable glycerine (available at most health food stores) and two tablespoons liquid castile soap. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour it into an empty bottle for easy application. Apply a small amount to your face and neck. Use your fingers to massage it into your skin for 30 seconds to 1 minute. This will help to loosen any dirt or debris on the surface of your skin. Once finished cleaning, rinse your face with warm water and pat dry with a towel. You can also try an oil based cleanser by using coconut oil or olive oil and a warm washcloth. Look for organic extra virgin coconut oil or olive oil to ensure you are using the purest natural products for your face. [6] X Research source Use your fingertips to massage the oil on your face for 30 seconds. Then, wet the washcloth in warm water and press the warm towel to your face. Keep the oil on your face for 15-30 seconds and then gently use the cloth to remove the oil. Avoid scrubbing your face, simply wipe off the oil.
Exfoliation is not recommended for people with sensitive skin. Use exfoliation sparingly. To test, try on a small patch of skin. If it does not hurt or irritate your skin, you can use it on the rest of your face. Most homemade scrubs use brown sugar as a base, as it is considered gentler on your skin than granulated sugar. You can also use natural oils, like patchouli, tea tree, and lavender, to give your skin a healthy glow. For sensitive skin, make a mixture of one cup brown sugar, one cup ground oatmeal, and ½ cup honey. Rub it on your face for 30 seconds to a minute to remove dead skin cells and give your skin a gentle scrub. Make an exfoliant for oily skin by combining one tablespoon sea salt, one tablespoon honey, and a few drops of patchouli oil. Wet your skin and then gently apply the exfoliant with your fingers. Massage the mixture into your skin for 30 seconds to a minute and then rinse it off with warm water. Create an exfoliating scrub by combining two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of finely ground coffee grinds, and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Add a teaspoon of honey for an added benefit. Apply the scrub to your face for 30 seconds to a minute and then rinse it off with warm water.
Baking soda: This is a cheap and effective spot treatment that is easy to make. Baking soda will reduce inflammation from a pimple and help prevent future breakouts. It’s also a great exfoliator and will get rid of dead skin cells that can build up on the surface of your skin. Take a few teaspoons of baking soda and mix it with warm water until it creates a thick paste. Put the paste on dry areas of your skin, or directly on a blemish. For the first several times of use, leave the paste on for 10 to 15 minutes. Increase the time gradually, up to an hour or overnight, as your skin gets used to this spot treatment. Diluted tea tree oil: This essential oil is antibacterial and a powerful remedy for acne. But it must be diluted, as it can actually cause more damage to your skin if applied directly to a blemish. Make a tea tree spot treatment by mixing five to ten drops of tea tree oil with ¼ cup water in a bowl. Use a cotton ball to apply to treatment to acne prone areas or blemishes on your skin. You can leave the treatment on under your foundation and reapply it during the day. Lemon juice: This spot treatment is based on the natural antibacterial and astringent properties of lemon juice. Use fresh squeezed lemon juice or packaged lemon juice from the grocery store. Put three teaspoons of lemon juice in a bowl and use a cotton ball to apply it to acne prone areas or a blemish. Keep it on for 15 minutes to an hour to let the lemon juice absorb into your skin. Aloe: If you have access to an aloe plant, take advantage of the soothing properties of this plant and cut off a piece. Squeeze the juice from the stalk onto a blemish or an acne prone area of your skin. You can apply this gel to your skin several times a day. You can also buy organic aloe gel at your local health food store. Look for aloe products with little to no added ingredients.
Throw a banana, half a papaya, two carrots, and a cup of honey in a blender. Blend the ingredients together until they form a thick paste. Apply this paste on your face for 20 minutes. Then, rinse it off with lukewarm water. [8] X Research source Make a lemon yogurt face mask by combining one tablespoon natural yogurt, one teaspoon lemon juice, and two drops of essential lemon oil. Apply the mask to your face for 10 minutes. Then, wash it off with warm water. [9] X Research source
Clean your skin twice a day (morning and night) with a cleanser to remove debris on the surface of your skin. Apply an oil based moisturizer on dry areas to keep your skin from drying out. If you are trying to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, apply a firming mask or firming cream at night before bed.
Exfoliation is not recommended for people with sensitive skin. Use exfoliation sparingly. To test, try on a small patch of skin. If it does not hurt or irritate your skin, you can use it on the rest of your face. A lightweight lotion cleanser is good for people with dry skin and rosacea. Stay away from bar soaps or bar cleansers, as the ingredients in bar soaps can clog your pores and dry out or irritate your skin. Good labels to look for include “gentle” and “for sensitive skin. ”
A list of good antioxidants in toners can be found here. Using a cleanser or toner that contains beta hydroxy acid (BHA) like salicylic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) like glycolic acid can help to reveal healthy skin hiding underneath acne prone skin. Look for a product that contains these elements in a gel or liquid for oily skin or combination skin. [13] X Research source
Use lotion or cream based moisturizers on dry patches. Use oil-free or non comedogenic lotion and cream moisturizers on oily patches. Hydrate any dry areas on your face before you apply foundation or makeup to your entire face. This will prevent dry patches from forming. Apply acne spot treatments to any blemishes or acne scars and avoid applying the treatment to every area of your face.
Do not go to sleep wearing your makeup. If possible, go for a foundation that also contains SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.
Use a sunscreen that contains active ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide for sensitive skin and rosacea.
Ask about different treatment options for acne: topical ointments, oral antibiotics, chemical peels, and light and laser treatments are a few examples. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations for cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliants, toners, and sunscreen. You can also ask friends or family for a recommendation. Check how long they have been seeing their dermatologist, how they feel the staff treats the patients at the office, and how accessible they felt information on procedures or treatments for combination skin issues was through the dermatologist.
Retinoids: These drugs can come in the form of a lotion, a gel, or a cream. Your dermatologist will likely instruct you to apply the medication at night, three times a week, and then daily as your skin gets used to the drug. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and plug your hair follicles, stopping the build up of oil, and acne. Antibiotics: Your dermatologist will likely prescribe a retinoid and an antibiotic (applied topically or taken orally) for the first several months of your treatment. You will apply the antibiotic in the morning and the retinoid in the evening. Antibiotics work by eliminating extra skin bacteria and reducing inflammation on your skin. These are often combined with benzoyl peroxide to help prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to the antibiotics. Dapsone (Aczone): This treatment comes in the form of a gel and is often prescribed with a topical retinoid. If you use this treatment, you may experience side effects like skin dryness and redness.
However, you should not use oral retinoids while you are doing chemical peel treatments. Taking these two medications together can cause skin irritation. Possible side effects of chemical peels include severe redness, blistering and scaling, and a permanent discoloration of your skin. These side effects are rare when chemical peels are performed by trained physicians or aestheticians.
