We put a lot of time, effort, and money into
looking beautiful (or handsome, depending on your gender). Americans fork over
nearly $9 billion annually for creams, scrubs, concealers, and a drawerful of
other cosmetics that claim to keep our skin looking clean, clear, and more
youthful.
Ironically, the very same products you rely
on to keep your skin looking its best could be doing your pores a big
disservice. Using the wrong makeup or cream could actually accentuate the
pimples you're trying so hard to hide.
Caring for acne-prone skin requires some
careful cosmetic sleuthing -- reading labels to find products that won't clog
your pores and lead to more breakouts. WebMD has made the process a little
easier by compiling a checklist of must-have makeup and grooming ingredients
for people with acne.
Use this acne skin-care checklist when
navigating the aisles of cosmetics and makeup at your local supermarket or drug
store.
Moisturizers
and Acne
Somehow, the idea that moisturizers are a
no-no for pimple-prone skin started circulating many years back, and now a lot
of people with acne avoid them like the plague. In reality, moisturizers are an
essential part of the acne skin care routine. The acne treatment your
dermatologist prescribed or recommended may contain drying ingredients like
benzoyl peroxide, which can suck the moisture out of your skin and leave it
looking red and irritated. A good moisturizer will keep the water in your skin
and help avoid unsightly drying and peeling.
What to look for : Choose a lightweight,
oil-free moisturizer labeled "non-comedogenic" -- which is just a
fancy way of saying that it won't clog your pores. Also look for ingredients
like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which hold moisture in the skin. What to
avoid? Heavy, greasy products that contain pimple-producing ingredients such as
cocoa butter, mineral oil, or cold cream.
Should You Use
Scrubs and Masks for Acne?
There's no need to slather your face in
day-glo green or mud and scare off all the neighborhood kids. Experts say masks
and scrubs do little, if anything, to improve acne. A gentle, non-abrasive
cleanser that's formulated for your skin type (oily, dry, or combination) will
do a lot more to keep your face pimple-free.
Acne-Friendly
Aftershave Lotions
Men with acne need to pay attention to their
skin care regimen, too. Shaving can be both a plus and minus for a man's skin.
The plus is that shaving each day acts as a natural exfoliant, opening your
pores so the excess oil can drain out. But if you shave the wrong way or use
the wrong products, you could wind up with more acne. Or, you could get razor
bumps, which aren't acne but look a lot like them. Razor bumps pop up when
newly cut, sharp-ended hairs turn back into the skin and make the skin swell
up.
What to look for: Use a non-irritating,
lubricating shaving gel, or a prescription shaving foam containing benzoyl
peroxide or a topical antibiotic that's designed for men with acne. When you
shave, use a sharp razor so you don't pull on the hair or cut your skin. Shave
downward, in the direction of growth of the hair follicles, to prevent
irritation. After shaving, skip the splash of cologne or alcohol-based
aftershave, which can irritate your skin -- not to mention leave you in agony
if you have any open cuts or recently popped pimples. Use an oil-free
moisturizer or a prescription topical antibiotic lotion or gel instead.
Wearing Makeup
When You Have Acne
People have been covering up their blemishes
for centuries. In the 1600s, women wore star-and moon-shaped silk patches to
hide their smallpox scars. Today, we use makeup to camouflage our pimples, but
applying layer after layer of cover-up when you have acne isn't necessarily the
best approach. Makeup can be very good at hiding pimples, but it can also
accentuate zits if you use the wrong kind of concealer or slather it on too
thickly. The redness and peeling many acne treatments leave behind can look
even worse when smeared with thick makeup.
What to look for: All of your makeup, from
blush to eye shadow, should be non-greasy, non-comedogenic (or non-acnegenic),
hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and oil-free. Read the ingredients -- the very
first one should be water. Mineral-based cosmetics contain added ingredients
like silica, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, which both absorb oil and hide
redness without irritating skin and causing pimples. Another ingredient to look
for is dimethicone, which also conceals redness while smoothing out uneven
skin.
Pick a makeup color that complements your
skin tone. When applying foundation, a little goes a long way. Use about a
quarter-sized amount, and blend it into your entire face. Allow your foundation
to dry for a few minutes before putting on the rest of your makeup.
If you notice that your skin is red, itchy,
or swollen after you apply a certain type of makeup, stop using it. Some
ingredients in cosmetics cause an allergic irritation known as contact
dermatitis in certain people.
Sunscreen for
People With Acne
Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen doesn't
cause acne. And while red, sunburned skin might temporarily hide your pimples,
getting burned too many times can also leave you with premature lines and
wrinkles, and increase your risk for skin cancer. You want to protect your skin
when you're outside in the sun without slathering on gobs of greasy sunscreen.
What to look for: Use a broad-spectrum
sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect against both UVA and UVB light.
A water-based or light liquid-based gel or spray-on sunscreen is best for
people who tend to get breakouts. You can also look for light lotions and
powder sunscreens. Look for “noncomedogenic” on the label, which means it
should not clog your skin’s pores. Watch out for chemicals such as PABA and
benzophenone, which can irritate sensitive skin. Look for physical sunscreens
that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Source WebMD
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