Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Keep blackheads at bay

My face used to be very oily. Friends used to tease me that my face was so oily that I can use the oil to fry an egg. *laugh* I would not hesitate to buy and experiment with any skincare products over-the-counter in departmental stores and even consulted doctor on my problem.

Unfortunately my skin condition did not improve and pores were quite visible from near distance. Nothing cured the occasional “eruption of volcanoes” and get rid of the blackheads. Fortunately few years ago, a friend introduced me to a reputable skincare brand that fit my skin condition. Thank god, everything turns out right. Now my skin complexion is better and blackheads are much at reducing rate. Make up is easier to apply too.

Oily face produces more oil than other skin type, making them prone to breakout and blackheads. I have learnt that forceful squeezing will not get rid of the blackheads and prevent new one from occurring, so the best way to deal with them effectively is to deal with the source of the problem:

(Following tips are taken from Shape magazine, July 2008)

Squeezing and pinching skin with nails or pressing too hard can make things worse
Squeezing and pinching may lead to more infection, or permanent scarring. Try not to touch your skin. To get rid of the blackheads, why not head to the dermatologists or skincare professional?

If you are using makeup, be sure to use formulas that are non-comedogenic and oil free so they wouldn’t block your pores
Always remove your makeup at the end of the day and do not sleep with your make up on. Keep all makeup brushes and sponges clean. If can, dispose used sponges every month to avoid bacteria from accumulate on the sponges. Cleansing tip: Wash your tools with a mild shampoo once a month and let them dry completely before using them again.

Avoid scrubbing with harsh abrasives
Irritating your skin with harsh chemicals can cause inflammation and further damage

Smoking dries out the body both internally and externally
Even if you are recipient of second-hand smoke, it can still cause dehydration

Ask your dermatologist about Retin-A
It is a derivative of Vitamin A. It increases cell turnover and can help prevent clogging and subsequently, blackheads and acne

Consider using salicylic acid, a gentle, organic acid, to exfoliate your skin
It removes dead skin cells on your skin surface and subsequently makes blackheads easier to remove

1 comment:

spymama said...

i need one for black heads and pigmentation spots...sigh