Anyone who suffered from acne as a child became accustomed to parental requests asking that they cleanse their face several times a day. It was thought that oily skin, in addition to dirt and other contaminants lingering on the skin's surface caused acne. While there is some merit to these notions, they are not entirely true. Acne is initially triggered by an abnormal skin desquamation cycle. The skin does not properly shed its outer layers, and instead the dead skin makes its way into pores.
Since dead skin is at fault, shouldn't it be a good idea to constantly wash your face? It should help provide an exfoliating as well as an anti-bacterial effect. The problem is that our skin is sensitive. Washing removes oils from its surface, which are designed to help it retain moisture. When the skin is dry, it is more susceptible to breaking out. Irritation acts as an impediment to the function of the stratum corneum, which keeps bacteria away from our body.
The problem is further worsened by the pH imbalances which most soaps subject our skin to. Believe it or not, our skin is slightly acidic. Soap, on the other hand, is basic with a pH significantly higher than neutral. A single cleansing with a non-pH balanced soap can leave your acid mantle in disarray for at least 24 hours, allowing acne bacteria to run rampant. Multiple daily cleansings can multiply the dangerous effect several fold.
The bottom-line is that excessive skin cleaning will not help acne, but rather exacerbate its presence. The main secret to fighting acne is to be gentle to the skin, which includes using the right cleansing products no more than twice a day. Topical medications also play an important role, but unless the skin is in a non-aggravated state, they will prove ineffective.
If you continually wash your face with the hope of making it less oily, oil-blotting sheets are something to consider. These are thin, tissue-like sheets that can be carried around discretely. You can use them whenever to absorb oil off your face without worrying about causing irritation. You should try to use them with clean hands, however.
Since dead skin is at fault, shouldn't it be a good idea to constantly wash your face? It should help provide an exfoliating as well as an anti-bacterial effect. The problem is that our skin is sensitive. Washing removes oils from its surface, which are designed to help it retain moisture. When the skin is dry, it is more susceptible to breaking out. Irritation acts as an impediment to the function of the stratum corneum, which keeps bacteria away from our body.
The problem is further worsened by the pH imbalances which most soaps subject our skin to. Believe it or not, our skin is slightly acidic. Soap, on the other hand, is basic with a pH significantly higher than neutral. A single cleansing with a non-pH balanced soap can leave your acid mantle in disarray for at least 24 hours, allowing acne bacteria to run rampant. Multiple daily cleansings can multiply the dangerous effect several fold.
The bottom-line is that excessive skin cleaning will not help acne, but rather exacerbate its presence. The main secret to fighting acne is to be gentle to the skin, which includes using the right cleansing products no more than twice a day. Topical medications also play an important role, but unless the skin is in a non-aggravated state, they will prove ineffective.
If you continually wash your face with the hope of making it less oily, oil-blotting sheets are something to consider. These are thin, tissue-like sheets that can be carried around discretely. You can use them whenever to absorb oil off your face without worrying about causing irritation. You should try to use them with clean hands, however.
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