Oily skin, dry skin, peeling skin, acne prone skin, etc., many American’s find themselves struggling with one or more of these problems. It can be a challenge when you are dealing with more than one because if you are having issues with oily skin, it can cause acne and treating oily skin can cause the skin to dry out. Then, you are tasked with the job of finding a moisturizer that will restore the moisture to the skin without making it overly oily.

Our skin is fragile and we have to be gentle with it and use products that will enrich it as well as rejuvenate and revive it. Harsh products that have abrasive qualities can alter the texture of your skin and cause more problems than you originally started with. It is important to use gentle products on the skin. When choosing a cleanser, opt for one that is alcohol-free. Use a water temperature somewhere in the middle; not too hot and not too cold. Lukewarm water does wonders for your face care routine.

It is important that you do not scrub the skin. Scrubbing spreads bacteria around the skin and this in turn, can cause acne. When the skin is red and irritated, the acne will appear worse. When searching for cleansers, be sure that you do your research and find products aimed at your target issues. When you choose cleanser that target your problematic areas, they help your chances of clearing up those skin issues over time.

Exfoliating is an important part of your skin care routine. Using a washcloth, gently massage the product into the skin and it will encourage the skin cells to turn over. While oils may be good for hair and certain areas of the body, when choosing a cleanser, you want to opt out of ingredients that encourage clogged pores. Oil-free cleansers are the way to go. Other things to be cognizant of are labels that say nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic. They are specialized terms used by dermatologist and identify products that will not clog the pores and contribute to acne. Benzoyl peroxide and or salicylic acid have been proven to help clear up acne and prevent future breakouts so it may be of benefit to find products that have these in their ingredients list.

Opt for a soft wash cloth when washing your face. I recommend using a baby washcloth as they are made with the gentle nature of the baby in mind and won’t irritate the skin. When it comes to our skin, diet plays a major role. Foods that have high glycemic index contribute to acne by altering hormonal levels which increases inflammation and oil production in and on the skin. If you suddenly have a breakout and are unsure of its cause, check to see if your diet has been high in glycemic intake. Foods that have a high glycemic level include white bread and potatoes.

Make up is a big part of many individuals routine and it is important that you choose your cosmetics carefully. Creamy and oily foundations can clog the pores and cause breakouts. Mineral-based foundations and makeup are recommended as they are loose or pressed, but are lighter than cream-based products.

Whatever your problem area is, all it takes is a little research to ensure that you choose the right product for your skin type and problematic areas. Educate yourself on what works for you, use those products and have a consistent routine and you will see the fruits of your labor.