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Shaving Acne-Prone Skin

Nothing aggravates adult acne like shaving. Acne-prone skin is sensitive and delicate, which makes it more likely to experience shaving irritation such as razor burn, redness and razor bumps. Razor bumps are caused by inflammation of the hair follicle, and look an awful lot like acne blemishes. When acne breakouts and shaving bumps combine, the result is an inflamed, red and uncomfortable complexion.

Thankfully, there are measures one can take to minimize shaving irritation and maximize comfort and clarity. One thing to always remember is you cannot shave off acne! Trying to do so will result in extremely painful damage that will almost certainly scar. When shaving acne-prone areas, shave gently over your blemishes and aim to reduce trauma to the skin.

1) Cleanse with warm water. Using a gentle, exfoliating acne cleanser will remove dead skin cells and soften the skin and hair, which creates a slick surface for minimum friction, and therefore minimum irritation. The warm water causes the skin to become pliable while bringing blood flow to the face. Try shaving in the shower, or just after taking a shower, for great results.

2) Lather up. Choose a non-foaming shaving cream that creates a slippery surface. Foaming, mousse-like saving creams often contain very drying ingredients that irritate the skin. Plus, these types of skin care products don’t actually protect very well against razor damage, making it twice as likely to leave your skin looking and feeling irritated. Try a cream from Whish or eShave, two companies that use nourishing, natural ingredients to provide the perfect surface for irritation-free shaving.

3) Use a new, single-blade razor. While it’s true that double- and triple-blade razors provide a closer, longer-lasting shave, single-blade razors cause less irritation to sensitive, acne-prone skin. Double- and triple-blade razors shave so deeply that the skin treats the follicle as a wound. The skin heals over the follicle, forcing the new hair growth to fight its way through, resulting in a red, inflamed bump, otherwise known as a razor bump. Single blade razors shave well, but don’t cause ingrown hairs. Electric razors are also great for acne-prone skin, plus they’re easier to use and don’t necessitate shaving cream.

4) Shave with hair growth. By shaving in the direction of hair growth, otherwise known as shaving with the grain, you’ll minimize nicks, cuts and razor bumps! If you’re not sure how to shave with the grain, run your hand along the area to be shaved. If it feels smooth and silky, you’re running your hand in the direction of hair growth. If the hair feels prickly or fuzzy, you’re going against the grain.

5) Tone, treat and moisturize. After shaving is complete, apply an alcohol-free toner to the skin. Choosing an antibacterial formulation is especially beneficial to acne-prone skin, as it will kill acne-causing bacteria before it can settle into your open pores. If you use gentle acne treatment products, it’s probably safe to use them after shaving. However, if you tend to experience product-related irritation after shaving, it’s probably best to wait until the next day to resume your acne treatment. Finally, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to seal in hydration and calm the skin.

source:flickr by:adria.richards

Stay Clear While Exercising

Some say that exercise will help clear out your pores and reduce acne, while others claim that exercise actually exacerbates acne. Talk about conflicting acne tips! The main thing to remember is that exercise is extremely important to your health and always necessary! Don’t let the threat of acne blemishes keep you from getting that heart pumping and staying in shape.

Overall, exercise actually helps in the fight against acne. When you exercise, your internal systems work at full power, which helps acne blemishes to heal and pores to unclog. However, there are many factors at work during exercise that can cause or worsen acne breakouts.

Go Natural
Wearing makeup, greasy skin care creams, sunscreen or even heavy acne treatments during exercise can cause or worsen acne breakouts. While working out, the pores clog easier, and comedogenic formulations will only add to the problem. If you’re exercising outside, such as jogging or doing outdoor yoga, use an oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection of at least SPF 15. This will keep your skin protected from UVA and UVB rays without leading to blemishes.

Dress for Success
Choosing breathable fabrics, such as cotton or hemp, will help keep your body cool and comfortable while simultaneously preventing breakouts. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester or spandex, lock in heat and moisture, which creates the ideal breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Heat and moisture can also irritate sensitive skin, leading to excess redness and discomfort. In addition, friction is not your friend when it comes to acne. Loose, comfortable clothing is always ideal.

Wash Up
After exercising, hit the showers as soon as possible. Use the correct adult acne products on the face and body to remove sweat, dirt and bacteria, returning the skin to a fresh, neutral state. (Plus, who doesn’t want a shower after a work out session, anyway?) If showering immediately is not an option, wipe down acne-prone areas with witch hazel or similarly medicated pads to help keep blemishes at bay. Cleansing pads are travel-friendly and easy to use, making them a favorite on-the-go option.

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When faced with an acne breakout, using high-end acne treatment products isn’t always an option. Whether you’re away from your acne arsenal or simply out of your favorite spot treatment, resorting to do-it-yourself treatments is sometimes your only choice. Luckily, these natural acne treatments can provide surprisingly amazing results that may rival those of your lotions and potions! Next time you find yourself in need of a simple treatment for your acne, try these at-home “recipes” for quick clarification.

Mask
This simply delicious mask uses three household standards: oatmeal, apple and honey. Cook the apple until soft, then puree in a food processor (or mash it up in a bowl) and mix in the honey. Add enough warm water to the oatmeal to make a thick paste, then stir in the apple and honey mixture. Apply to your skin for 15-20 minutes, then wash with warm water. This recipe may also be used as a spot treatment for smaller breakouts.

Why it Works

• Oatmeal is naturally soothing and absorbent. It will remove excess oils and dirt from the pores while relieving redness, inflammation and discomfort. Oats also help maintain the skin’s natural barrier function, which keeps environmental aggressors out while sealing in moisture.
• Apples are high in natural salicylic and malic acids, two common and powerful acne ingredients. Salicylic and malic acids work by boosting cell renewal, thereby unclogging pores and releasing acne-causing bacteria and oil. Apples also feature large quantities of antioxidants, which help reduce the formation of premature signs of aging and other signs of environmental damage.
• Honey encourages exfoliation, moisturizes and provides antibacterial benefits. Honey, sometimes referred to as “Mel” on skin care product ingredient lists, is a great all-around ingredient to find in any skin care formulation, as it improves the overall health of the skin.

Cleanser
If a powerful cleanser is what you need, simply add 1/4 cup unpeeled chopped cucumber and 1/8 cup unpeeled chopped potato to a blender and blend for 20 seconds. Add 1/4 cup plain yogurt, one egg and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and blend on low for one minute or until completely combined. Apply to a moistened face in circular motions and rinse.

Why it Works

• Cucumber is naturally hydrating, astringent and restorative. It helps maintain the skin’s natural acid mantle and barrier functions. It soothes, softens and reduces inflammation.
• Potato reduces the redness and inflammation of acne blemishes and speeds healing time. Slices of potatoes may also be used over the eyes to help get rid of dark under eye circles!
• Yogurt features lactic acid, an extremely gentle natural acid that exfoliates and refreshes the skin. It is one of the best acne ingredients for use during pregnancy, or on highly sensitive skin. In addition to healing blemishes, yogurt will soften and brighten your complexion for heightened beauty.
• Baking soda antibacterial, exfoliating and cleansing. It sucks up excess oils and kills acne-causing bacteria, helping your blemishes to dry out and heal faster.
• Eggs tone and firm the skin, which make this cleanser great for anti-aging skin care use, too! The egg in this mixture will also help to remove excess oil, which directly benefits your breakouts.

Spot Treatments
If you only need to treat a certain area of the face to banish your breakout, try these easy acne spot treatments.

• Potatoes for reducing redness and inflammation, as well as speeding healing time. Just take a thick slice or chunk and hold it against your blemish for about 10 minutes.
• Apple cider vinegar mixed with equal parts water will provide your skin with a healthy dose of salicylic and malic acids to aid in exfoliation and oil absorption.
• Honey - just a dab will do ya! As mentioned above, honey is antibacterial, moisturizing and soothing. Plus, the stickiness will help your spot treatment stay in place while you carry on with your day.