The Sunday News
Rutendo Chidawanyika
MOST women suffer from unclear skin, caused by pimples, acne and blackheads. A rough or bumpy skin is not something women want to have. In as much some believe it is caused by too much chocolate but it isn’t. Stress, alcohol, depression and even hormones can lead to rough skin on the face. If you are trying to get rid of unclear skin try the following:
Skip the Toothpaste
Okay, disclaimer: A lot of people swear by this remedy, and it’s easy (who doesn’t have toothpaste lying around?!). But it’s hard to predict how your skin will react to your fave brand of toothpaste. Toothpastes may contain ingredients and fragrances that can irritate and damage the skin. If you must try this, make sure you do a patch test somewhere first, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Tea Tree Oil/Coconut oil
Tea tree oil gets credit for clearing up all sorts of skin stuff — like insect bites, athlete’s foot, and minor burns — and it can help zap pimples, too. Just dab some on a cotton swab and apply it directly to the zit. Dilute it at first, because some people are too sensitive to use it straight up. Coconut oil does amazing things on the skin especially if applied before bedtime and left over night.
Crushed Aspirin
Sounds weird, I know, but this can actually help. I won’t get too deep into the chemistry, but aspirin is a derivative of salicylic acid, and it can soothe an angry zit just like it soothes a headache. Crushed aspirin is anti-inflammatory.
Get a superstar cleanser.
This might seem obvious, but seriously: It’s so much easier if you can prevent acne rather than trying to do damage control once you have a full-blown breakout. Granted, breakouts are outside of your control, but you can seriously keep skin in shape so that you can live your best life.
Don’t sleep in your makeup
At the end of a long day, the last thing you may want to do is to take off your makeup. However, sleeping with your makeup on is asking for more blackheads. If left on overnight, even noncomedogenic makeup can clog your pores. Plus, eye makeup left on overnight can lead to eye irritations or infections
Use moisturising or mattifying masks
In addition to weekly exfoliation, using a mask two to three times per week can help keep your pores clean. Clay-based masks tend to work best for oily skin. These have mattifying effects because of their ability to remove excess oil and dirt while also removing blackhead-related gunk. With regular use, the pores on your cheeks may look smaller, too.
Keep your skin hydrated
Don’t leave your skin out to dry, even if you’re battling frequent blackheads. The right balance of moisture can help decrease the presence of dead skin cells, which are the earmarks of blackhead formation. The key is to drink plenty of water. Then find a water-based moisturizer to use on your face.
Exercise
Getting sweaty helps to increase blood flow, making the process of carrying materials to and from cells more efficient. By exercising, you’ll be helping your blood carry waste—including skin-damaging free radicals—away from your cells
See a dermatologist
Don’t let yourself suffer from acne. If over-the-counter solutions just aren’t working and you can afford it, save yourself years of frustration by scheduling an appointment with a professional.
Essential Do’s and Dont’s
Before you go, read through these general skincare tips and essential pimple dos and don’ts.
Do: Find products labeled non-comedogenic, which means that they won’t clog pores or worsen breakouts. Wear sunscreen everyday (even after your pimples subside!) because the strong ingredients in acne medications can increase sensitivity. For acne lesions that painful, apply ice for fast relief and reduced swelling. Eat a clean and balanced diet, and avoid those acne-inducing foods (junk food).
Don’t: Never, ever pop your pimples. It can lead to scarring, spread infection, and worsen breakouts. Quick fixes and miracle products are usually too good to be true and might clog your pores further. Be patient with your skincare routine. Applying toothpaste onto your acne lesions has an excessively drying effect and can even bleach your skin, despite what the myths claim. Touching your face or picking your skin spreads bacteria from your hands onto your pores, contributing to congestion issues.
Treating and preventing unclear skin can take time. But with the right skin care regimen, you can help prevent their occurrence while also gradually working the gunk out of your pores.-Additional information from online sources.
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