Skin care for acne-prone skin

 The problem of acne generally strikes in the teens and fades away by the time you are in your twenties. This type of Acne is a result of hormonal changes that occur in the body during puberty. This type of Acne, which we will call the “teenage acne”, is a challenge to treat but it CAN be treated and controlled. The bigger challenge in such cases is to ensure that

-         the acne does not spread and flare up due to neglect

-         it does not leave scars which may last a lifetime

 Does everyone get acne in their Teens?

Not necessarily. But if you have an Acne prone skin, you will most likely get acne. But it doesn’t mean that you have to panic.

 What can I do if I have acne prone skin and I am in my teens?

The first thing you have to do is to find out your skin type as all treatments are based on skin type. This will also help you understand why something that worked for your friend may not work for you as your skin types may be different. Acne is not restricted to acne-prone skin only.

 The 3 most important things you can do are :

-         follow a disciplined skin care routine for acne prone skin

-         follow a diet to reduce acne or an “acne diet” as what you eat does show up on your skin

-         practice yoga and meditation to stay relaxed mentally and emotionally

 How do I find out my skin type?

There are 3 types of skin type –

1. Dry skin – fine pores, doesn’t produce much oil, very few or no hair on face, thin scanty eye brows, skin doesn’t sweat much, lips chap easily, skin tans easily
2. Oily skin – large pores, produces a lot of oil, strong skin with few infections, thick eye brows and lashes
3. Acne prone Skin or Sensitive skin – Medium sized pores, medium hair, light colored hair, sharp nose and eyes, mostly oily in the T-zone (forehead and nose), burns easily

 What is the Skin Care routine for Acne prone skin?

Skin care routine for acne prone skin has 4 parts –

1. Deep pore Acne Cleansing with a Detergent free mild Acne cleanser like Aloe Face Wash.
2. Gentle Exfoliation with a orange peel based scrub like Orange scrub.
3. Acne treatment to fight infection and dry them – with a natural Aloe based gel like Neem Gel which has Neem and Tea tree oil.
4. Moisturize skin with moisturizer for acne like Aloe Turmeric Cream which has the antiseptic Turmeric and the regenerative Aloe vera or a 100% natural Moisturizer for Acne prone skin.

Acne problem occurs in adults too (Adult Acne) and is much easier to treat. The skin care routine suggested above is very useful. Neem Gel has been found to be very effective and generally shows results in about 2 weeks.