Summer’s almost here, and that means it’s time to break out those backless floral dresses and sleeveless shirts; there’s just one problem—your back is breaking out. When you’re a teenager, your hormones are going crazy, and that means unwanted blemishes all over your face and skin. For so many teens, acne can get so bad that all you want to do is hide from the world and watch Netflix. It doesn’t have to be this way! There are multiple steps you can take to prevent acne from plaguing your life.
1. Don’t Stress!
Stressing over acne is only going to make it worse—between tests, sports practices, and SAT prep, you have enough to worry about. Despite your fears and concerns, your situation is not hopeless; things will get better. If you’re the worrying type, consider some breathing exercises to calm yourself when you get worked up. Yoga and meditation are great ways to stay in shape and calm your nerves as well.
2. Get the Right Body Scrub
No two skin types are ever the same, so you need to find the one that suits you best. When it comes to kicking back acne in the butt, you need the best product possible at your side. When shopping for acne body wash products, try to find the ones made from the highest-quality, organic ingredients as they will be less likely to irritate your skin.
3. Find the Right Facewash
Start washing your face twice daily, once before you go to bed and again when you wake up in the morning. Much like body wash products, try to find facewashes made of organic materials. Products that contain salicylic acid are best because this powerful exfoliating ingredient is naturally produced.
4. Exfoliate
When you have severe back acne (or acne anywhere for that matter), exfoliation is essential. Wet a washcloth with warm water and face wash when you do your twice daily cleanses. When you wash your back and body, a handed brush or loofah is best. Be sure to regularly clean and rinse anything you use on your skin. Soak your loofah in rubbing alcohol and rinse it thoroughly with water after so you don’t dry your skin out. Be especially careful not to over-exfoliate; look for signs of redness and irritation. Don’t make your acne problem worse than they already are.
5. Sunscreen
It might seem counterintuitive to put on sunscreen when you’re worried about acne, but skin damage will only make your problems worse. Find natural sunscreens that won’t clog your pores and make sure you avoid spray-on sunscreens that trap dirt on your face.
6. Lay a Towel on Your Pillow
Lay a towel over your pillow to soak up some of the oils you secrete from your pores while you sleep. It can become tedious and cumbersome to continually replace pillow cases every other day—using this trick will save you the hassle.
7. Fix Your Diet
Dieting is the most challenging part of reducing your acne problems, but it will produce better results than most of the other tips on this list. Cut out as much sugar and greasy food you can from your diet; dairy is going to be a significant problem as well. Start introducing fatty fishes loaded with omega 3s into your diet to give it a healthy glow. Start replacing those giant slices of pizza with leafy green salads and be amazed by the results.
8. Moisturize
It can be incredibly easy for your skin to dry out if you’re regularly using acne products. After every wash and rinse, moisturize. If you have incredibly oily skin, it’s still important to moisturize; try to use your best judgment when it comes to selecting your product. Look for products that are oil-free and contain Vitamin E or aloe vera.
Don’t let the acne blues keep you down! Use these helpful tips, and you’ll be on your way to clearer skin before you know it.