Reduce Acne Redness: More Common Mistakes Part II
This is a follow-up to the popular first article Reduce Acne Redness: 5 Common Mistakes. If you are experiencing acne redness, make sure you aren’t making any of the mistakes mentioned in Part I first.
Common Mistake #6: Using too much acne medication
Sure, everyone with acne wants their acne to clear up quickly, even overnight, so you may be tempted to use your acne treatment products several times or more per day, and using more than the recommended amount too boot. Typically, for gels and creams, only a very small amount is needed. By using too much medication and too often, your skin will dry out and won’t clear acne up any faster, but instead, aggravating the condition, causing facial redness, sensitivity and flakiness.
So, the sixth simple step to reducing acne redness is NOT to use too much acne medication. Once a day is often more than sufficient, sometime even less.
Common Mistake #7: Using too many different types of treatments
Another very common mistake is testing way too many acne products at one time. Firstly, there are no miracle quick-fix acne solutions. Secondly, every acne product contains active ingredients. If you are using too many different products concurrently, the different active ingredients may react against each other, causing undesirable side effects, or may just be too harsh altogether on your skin. It is not atypical for acne sufferers to make the mistake of trying different supplements, vitamins and minerals, combined with moisturizers, spot treatments, exfoliators, facial cleansers, and many other products, all at the same time. Don’t do it!
So, the seventh simple step to reducing acne redness is NOT to use too many different kinds of acne treatments at the same time. In fact, you should not be using more than one treatment product with active ingredients at any point in time.
Common Mistake #8: Using too much make-up
Yes, we get it that showing up at a get-together with friends or a family gathering with a serious case of acne redness isn’t exactly anyone’s cup of tea. So, what do most people do? They put on lots of make up to cover the redness. Why is that a bad idea? Because most make-up will clog your pores, causing even problems for your skin. Also, unless you use a new set of make-up every time, think of the millions of germs in your foundation, powder, brushes, sponges, etc. That’s not saying that you shouldn’t use make-up at all – just go easy on it. See our recommended list of make-up that is is safe to use for acne-prone skin at ____
So, the eighth simple step to reducing acne redness is to use minimal amounts of make-up. In general, don’t use it when you don’t have to. Let your skin breathe.
Common Mistake #9: Touching your face
We know it’s hard to resist the urge to touch your face, but you have to. Our hands are full of germs. Whenever you feel your hand going up to your face, stop yourself.
So, the ninth simple step to reducing acne redness is to NOT touch your face with your hands.
Common Mistake #10: Allowing your hair to touch your face
Many individuals with acne tend to use their hair to block out their face, especially the red and infected parts or scars that they would rather the world not see. Bad idea, because our hair is full of oil, germs and irritants that will aggravate the skin, for sure causing more acne redness. Use a hair band or push your hair behind your ears to get it away from your face.
So, the last and tenth simple step to reducing acne redness is to keep your hair away from your face at all times.
Don’t forget to review Part I – Reduce Acne Redness: 5 Common Mistakes.
Also, in Be Acne Free: 5 Simple Steps, we cover every day practical ideas to complement your acne treatments and medications to keep acne breakouts and acne redness away.
