Are you treating acne the wrong way?

MANILA, Philippines - There is no shortage of advice or products for acne treatment but are you doing it right? Treating these red and angry-looking bumps should be done with the utmost care and discernment. Here are the top three major no-nos when treating acne:

• Popping and picking at acne. Keep your hands away from your face. Hands are more prone to pick up and transfer bacteria to your face which will only aggravate acne. Popping acne on your own is not advisable as dirty fingernails, unsanitary conditions and improper techniques lead to infection. Incorrect acne extraction prolongs the healing time and increases your chances of leaving a permanent scar on your face. Best entrust this task to a dermatologist. 

• Trying too many products at once. Layering on different kinds of creams will only lead to skin disasters. Different products have different formulations and ingredients which could irritate your skin and cause another breakout. Instead, resolve to diligently use a product for two to three weeks (it takes this amount of time for a product to work) and if it does not work, slowly introduce another product to your skin. Patience is key.

• Over-scrubbing or over-cleansing. We may have the same aversion to acne as dirt on a clean floor. However, stop yourself from going obsessive compulsive on your skin. Over-cleansing or over-scrubbing does more harm than good as it strips your skin of essential oils that are needed to keep skin moisturized and healthy. This can also lead to developing over productive oil glands as it will automatically compensate for the lack of oil on the skin’s surface which can lead to more blocked pores and an impending breakout.

Understand first that one of the causes of acne is the increase in production of sebum which can be caused by hormone levels change or stress. The problem begins when this excess oil combines with dead skin cells within hair follicles, pores can become blocked and infected with bacteria. This is medically referred to as comedones.

To effectively treat acne, it is important to unblock the pores and reduce the number of acne-causing bacteria. One of the effective treatments is benzoyl peroxide which is recommended by dermatologists as highly effective. It mildly peels the skin surface and unblocks the pores.

Benzac AC helps to clear acne like no other benzoyl peroxide treatment. It is the only acne treatment that contains acrylates copolymer (AC)/glycerin complex which absorbs excess oil from the skin’s surface while delivering hydrating glycerin.

Combine this with eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly, you should be on your way to a cleaner, healthier, acne-free skin.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.