Acne and Skin Care
Proper Skin Care Techniques for Prevention of Acne

Many people believe that poor skin care is the primary reason why people develop acne. As we will see later in this article, this is not true, but proper skin care is essential for good skin health in general and for treating acne breakouts if they occur.

Acne Prevention
Preventing acne has very little to do with how hard you scrub your face. Washing is a key factor in clearing up existing acne, but has very little to do with whether or not it develops in the first place.

Healthy skin has a protective layer of oil on the top layer, the dermis, which serves as protection against bacteria on the skin and in the air. This outer layer serves as our first line of defense against germs and scrubbing it too much only causes our skin to be more prone to bacteria. Too much scrubbing removes the outer layer of skin and it's protective oil layer. Removing this skin is not healthy and can even allow bacteria that causes acne to develop.

This protective layer of natural skin oil is called sebum and actually is quite beneficial in preventing acne. Sebum keeps the skin smooth and flexible and prevents small cracks from developing. These cracks serve as a hiding place for acne bacteria. Excessive scrubbing of the skin with harsh cleansers dry out the skin and can cause cracks as well.

Proper Cleaning Techniques
Instead of scrubbing with standard soap, using a mild facial cleanser works best. Take time to scrub the entire face, neck, shoulders and back as acne can develop in these areas as well. If possible, wash a couple of times a day to promote proper skin care.

Be careful when using household astringents to remove facial oil. These products are effective but can also dry out the skin. Household remedies can be extremely effective, but, if you choose to use over the counter products, use as directed as these products are specially formulated to maintain the correct balance of oil in the skin.

Skin Care Tips for Men
For men, there is another important part of healthy skin care. Shaving can be a problem because razors can nick the skin, particularly if there are blemishes present. Opening up the skin makes it susceptible to bacteria, which can cause acne. Instead of regular shaving cream, consider using a pre-softener, then shave carefully to prevent cuts.

Careful preparation of the face and proper shaving techniques can guard against nicks and cuts. Softening your beard with warm water and pre-softner is the first step. Next you should shave with the grain of your beard instead of against it to prevent ingrown hairs and clogged pores. Using a manual razor is fine as long as you follow these techniques.

Skin Care Tips for Women
For women, there are similar preventative measures one can take to prevent nicks and cuts which cause acne breakouts.

Makeup can clog pores if not chosen properly. Today there are more options than ever when choosing makeup. Specific formulations are made to prevent pores from being clogged. It's important to use foundation sparingly and try to use as little blush as possible. If you can find cleansers and makeup labeled 'non-comedogenic', these are perfect because they are designed to be gentle on the pores. 'Comedones' is a term used to describe mild acne, blackheads and whiteheads.

The best prevention for acne is proper skin care. Keeping the skin clean and pores open allow for natural oil movement which is the best choice for prevention. Over cleaning and scrubbing are actually harmful as they can create conditions that promote acne development. If acne does develop, using over the counter bacterial cleaners or home remedies is your best bet.

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