Acne 101: Improve Your Acne Today!

Whether it is a pesky pimple or a bold blackhead, acne is always beauty bummer. Olay’s expert tips will help clear your acne once and for all.

How Acne Forms

When pores become clogged, pimples, zits, blackheads, and whiteheads manifest on your face. When skin produces too much oil, dead skin cells (that we regularly shed) get stuck together and block pores.

To make matters worse, bacteria can also get stuck inside of pores. The trapped bacterium eventually multiplies and causes red, swollen, inflamed breakouts or cysts.

Adult Acne

Acne is most common in teenagers going through puberty, but it is not limited to the young. Women may find that acne pops up during adult stages of hormonal changes such as monthly menstruation cycles, pregnancies, and even menopause.

Stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation can also contribute to acne during adulthood. Acne is also hereditary—so if your parents experienced bouts of acne, you are more likely to experience problems with acne too.

Skin Care Tips to Help Prevent and Treat Acne

To treat and prevent acne, it’s important to stick with a consistent skin care regimen:

● Cleanse

Wash your face morning and night with a cleanser containing salicylic acid, a key acne-fighting ingredient that exfoliates skin helping to keep pores clear.

After you exercise, be sure to freshen up with a facial wet cleansing cloth. A quick swipe will remove sweat and other impurities.

● Do Not Over Wash

Resist the temptation to wash your face multiple times a day. Over-washing will dry out skin, causing it to produce more oil leading to more acne.

● Moisturize & Protect

It may feel counter-intuitive but you need to moisturize. Wear a non-comedogenic moisturizer (meaning it doesn’t block pores) with an SPF 15 on a daily basis to hydrate skin and prevent sun damage.

Should You Visit a Dermatologist?

If your acne does not clear up after two to three months of diligent care or if you suffer from what is described as severe acne, it may be time to visit a dermatologist for alternative methods of clearing up your skin.