Always use lukewarm–not hot–water when you wash your face. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Hot water can dry you out and cause flaking as well as irritation. Resist the urge to scrub. Use your fingertips and a gentle touch to wash your face. This will minimize irritation, dryness, and unevenness in your skin tone. [4] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
Choose a moisturizer with ceramide to lock moisture deep into your skin. Shea butter is also a great moisturizer, but it’s a nut derivative, so you have to be careful if you have a nut allergy. Glycerin and petrolatum are also good moisturizers. [7] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. If you are prone to oily skin or clogged pores, look for moisturizers that are “noncomedogenic” to help keep your skin clear.
If you have very dry, dull skin, you might exfoliate as much as 2-3 times a week. If your skin is more sensitive, once a week is probably sufficient. [10] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. If you have skin issues such as rosacea, extremely sensitive skin, or acne, you might not want to exfoliate, however. [11] X Research source Exfoliating scrubs can be irritating to these skin types.
If your pores clog easily, try to find a sunscreen that has “noncomedogenic” on the label. That means that it is not oil-based and is less likely to clog your pores. Wearing sunscreen when you’re younger can make a big difference in what your skin looks and feels like as you age. It can also decrease your risk of developing skin cancer. [15] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
There are many other reasons to quit smoking too: smoking increases the likelihood of cancer–including skin cancers. [23] X Research source This isn’t just a beauty issue; it is also a health issue.
Staying away from junk foods is easier if you keep lots of delicious, healthy options in your home. For example, ripe berries can satisfy your craving for sweets, and roasted almonds can satisfy your craving for crunch. [27] X Research source Consider incorporating fruits and vegetables into your daily life by adding them to your favorite foods such as oatmeal, pizza, or sandwiches. The more you fill up on healthy foods, the less you will crave unhealthy junk. [28] X Research source
Meditation. Meditation can help you minimize stress and regain balance in your life. Taking a walk outside. Moving around in nature for 20-30 minutes–especially on sunny days–can help make you feel more relaxed and happy. But because you want to avoid sun damage at all costs, be sure that you wear sunscreen, wear a hat and UV protective clothing, and stay in the shade as much as possible. If you walk outside before 10a. m. and after 2p. m. you are also less likely to experience sun damage. [33] X Research source Breathing deeply. Find a quiet spot in your home where you can sit comfortably and with good posture. Practice breathing slowly through your nose, holding your breath for a few seconds, and then breathing slowly out through your mouth. Do this for 10 minutes every morning to regain your focus and shed stress. [34] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
Strenuous aerobic activities include running, swimming, and biking. You can get similar benefits from spending twice as much time doing lower-impact aerobic activities such as 150 minutes of walking per week. Be sure that you shower and wash your face after exercise: sweat can irritate the skin and lead to clogged pores.
Have a set bedtime routine that you go through each night. Avoid bright screens–such as phones, televisions, and computers–before bed. Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening hours. Have a cool, quiet, dark place where you sleep.
Applying a cold compress or ice cube. The cold might help reduce the redness and inflammation of a breakout. Applying a green tea bag. Green tea extract may be able to help reduce the size of a pimple. [41] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Using a tea tree oil ointment. Tea tree oil has naturally antibiotic properties and can help prevent the spread of acne. [42] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Using preventive measures. The most effective way to minimize a pimple is not to get one in the first place. Keep your skin cleansed, moisturized, and free of irritants in order to look good without makeup.
Take an oatmeal bath. Soaking in a bath along with baking soda and uncooked oatmeal can soothe irritated skin and reduce the redness caused by eczema. [43] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Keep your skin moisturized. Use moisturizer twice a day, use a humidifier at home, and apply wet compresses to affected areas. [44] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source All of these techniques will keep your skin moisturized and will prevent you from scratching your skin, which worsens the condition. Make sure that your moisturizer does not have any fragrance or salicylic acid–these chemicals can exacerbate your condition. [45] X Research source Talk to your doctor about corticosteroids. Cortisone cream and oral corticosteroids can help stop the itching and reduce flare-ups of eczema. [46] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source There can be side effects, however, and many of these medications are not sold over-the-counter. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist about whether a prescription-strength corticosteroid is the right choice for your condition.
Topical antibiotics such as metronidazole might also be helpful in clearing up mild rosacea. [50] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Talk to your doctor about possible medications.
