There’s nothing cooler than stepping into the boardroom to make a presentation with a huge, greasy, irritated pimple on your forehead. Somehow, anything you are about to say will immediately be discredited by your peers, who might as well be watching you present a book report on To Kill A Mockingbird.
Seriously though, I think we all hoped that acne was a thing for greasy, prepubescent teenagers to deal with, but as it turns out it also inflicts reasonably hygienic adults as well. Whether it be small pimples here and there, or giant boil-like zits, adult acne can be really embarrassing and is just plain annoying.
The good news is that for most of us adult acne is a choice. Sure, there are some who have hormonal imbalances or other health issues that spur their acne, but for most of us this is not the case. It is simply a matter of taking care of your skin.
Here is what you should do:
1) Gentle face wash: A gentle face wash will help prepare your skin for benzoyl peroxide. Removing surface oils allows the benzoyl peroxide to penetrate more easily. Washing very gently helps avoid irritation. While scientists and doctors do not know exactly what causes acne, they do know that irritation alone can make it worse.
2) Plenty of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide oxygenates skin. Acne bacteria cannot live in oxygenated environments. Benzoyl peroxide is also a mild drying and peeling agent which is thought to help keep pores from clogging. You’ll be using 2.5% benzoyl peroxide because clinical studies have shown it is just as effective as 5% and 10% but much less irritating. Remember, irritation alone can aggravate acne.
3) Good moisturizer: Because you’ll be using lots of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, your skin will most likely be dry and a little flaky. Applying a good moisturizer will help keep your skin in balance and allow you to go out into public with non-flaky, normal looking skin. Yeah, that’s right, a moisturizer.
Check out these videos for step by step instructions.
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