We all know that skin care is important, but it takes on even more importance if you have acne. It is no great secret that keeping your skin healthy will help you control your acne. Healthy skin is obtained by keeping it clean and protecting it from harsh cosmetics and sun damage.

Skin Cleansing

It is important to use a gentle soap or specialized skin cleaner to wash your face once or twice a day. Do not scrub your skin because this will aggravate your acne. Simply use a soft cloth to moisten the face and then apply the cleanser to all areas from the hairline to the neck. Be sure to rinse the cleanser with plenty of water and pat your face drive with a soft towel.

If you have extremely oily skin you may also need to use an astringent, but be warned that you should use this with caution. Apply it only to the parts of your face that are the most oily. If at any time the astringent irritates your skin you should discontinue using it immediately. A good rule of thumb is to consult with your dermatologist so they can help you choose a good astringent if needed.

Believe it or not, hair care is also an important part of skin care. You should try to shampoo your hair at least two or three times a week and if you have extremely oily hair, you may need to wash your hair every day. Also, keeping your hair off your face will help with acne control because the oil in your hair will just exacerbate the acne problem on your face.

Protecting Your Skin from the Sun

If you like to tan you may have noticed that a suntan dries out your skin and minimalizes your acne. Well, this "fix" is only temporary. This is because your skin will eventually become accustomed to exposure to the sun and then the acne will just come right back. Also, excessive exposure to the sun will damage your skin so it is not worth taking the risk. Always wear sunscreen when you are outside.

Be Careful When Choosing Makeup

An excellent thing to do when you have acne is to wear no makeup at all. Of course that is not always desirable or possible. So when you choose your makeup be sure to purchase something that is not going to clog your pores. Look for products that are labeled as noncomedogenic and definitely avoid anything that has an oil base. Read the labels and choose carefully.

Shaving

Men should try using an electric razors and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. Be sure you do not use a razor with a dull blade. To avoid dullness change the blade every two to three shaves. In extreme cases you may want to shave around any pimples and definitely avoid cutting them. Using water and shaving cream will soften your beard to make shaving easier. If you are having a bad acne day, consider going without a shave that day if at all possible.

Do Not Touch the Skin

This is so hard to stop doing, but so important in the treatment of your skin and control of acne. It is so tempting to pop and squeeze, but please do not do that. This just adds to the acne and does not help to clear it up. Also, pimple popping may lead to scarring and then you will really be upset! So avoid touching your face as much as you possible y can so that the oil and bacteria on your hands is not put onto your face.

It is definitely possible to bring acne under control. Medications help a lot to clear up the skin, but be sure to help it along as much as possible by taking good care of your skin.