Many factors can contribute to acne blemishes, such as large pores, overactive hormones, buildup of dead skin, and stress. Fortunately, there are many commercial and natural products that exist to help you remove acne blemishes. You may prefer to combine natural and commercial products, or stick to one or the other. Either way, the steps to remove acne blemishes typically include keeping your skin clean, applying proper moisturizer, using a spot-acne treatment, and exfoliating.
Keeping your skin clean is the first step to fighting acne blemishes. Such pimples often form as a result of clogged pores, so unclogging the pores by cleansing your skin at least twice a day often reduces acne significantly. A gentle, oil-free cleanser generally does the trick. Cream-based cleansers are often less drying than gel cleansers, though you may want to avoid cream cleansers with exfoliants in them. Exfoliating too often may damage your skin.
The second step to help you remove acne blemishes involves moisturizing. This may sound counterproductive, as acne-prone skin is often oily, but it usually helps the problem. Dry skin produces extra oils to try to re-balance the moisture. By applying lotion daily, you eliminate extra oil production and therefore remove acne blemishes. Oil-free moisturizers generally work well, as does clear, alcohol-free aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is antibacterial as well as moisturizing, so it may help heal infected pores.
Almost any dermatologist will tell you not to pick or squeeze existing acne blemishes. What you can do is treat them as they arise with a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment. This gel should contain no more than 10% benzoyl peroxide. Formulas containing higher percentages may severely dry and damage skin.
Rubbing a small dab of spot treatment gel into each blemish should reduce redness and swelling slightly right after the first application. Regular nightly applications often help remove acne blemishes considerably. You must wash off your spot treatment each morning to avoid very dry skin. A rinse with your regular daily cleanser should work well.
Exfoliating properly not only makes your skin feel soft and smooth, it rids your face of dead skin flakes and grime that may be lodged in your pores. Apricot scrubs, sugar, salt, oatmeal, and baking soda are all options for exfoliating. You can use any of these items to exfoliate by gently rubbing them in small circles over your dampened skin. Afterward, you should gently cleanse your face with a cleanser and then moisturize. Applying moisturizer allows the skin to fill the pores with moisture instead of new dirt and grime.
