How to Care for Your Skin After a Serious Breakout

At times, something we have eaten, drank, or used on our skin has caused a breakout that can take days or even weeks to clear up. Don’t panic; this tried and proven minor change in your beauty maintenance routine can restore order.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• • Very mild bar soap—Dove or Ivory or a very mild cleanser or facial shampoo (found at department store cosmetic counters). Do not use any type of medicated cleanser or soap.
• • Clean, white face towels

1. Identify and eliminate the source of the problem. Did you use a different type of soap or makeup? Even certain well-known and respected brands may cause a problem for your particular skin. Did you drink something very acidic or change brands of a certain food? Think long and hard about anything different that may have occurred just prior to the breakout.

2. Drink lots of water to flush out your system. While you are in this crisis mode, drink no soda pop and citrus juices that contain a lot of acid.

3. Cleanse skin with mild soap or cleanser. This will involve two to three latherings. For the first lathering, wet face, soap your hands, then use your hands to break down the dirt and oils on your face. Rinse with very warm water. Again, lather your face well and wash using the clean white towel and lots of very warm water. Repeat if desired. You want to make sure your skin is clean.

4. Rinse with cold water. This will close your pores. You’d be surprised how clear your skin will remain just by rinsing with cold water each time you wash your face.

5. Blot skin dry and use a moisturizer only. It’s important to keep the skin hydrated. You should see results within a week. Continue this routine until skin has cleared up.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the crisis is over, then you can go back to using astringents and makeup and drinking the drinks you like.
• Should the breakout result in dark spots or marks on your skin, use a skin bleaching cream on the affected areas only until the dark spots or marks fade away.

Who Can Help:

• Are you tired of cakey makeup? Try RawMinerals Free.

[DonnaTerrell]

on 1/10/2008 Baby wash! I never thought of that! That's a great idea.

[danielzrib]

on 1/8/2008 These are good ideas. A nice, mild cleanser I've discovered (when I was out of what I usually use) is Baby Wash! It's important to not overdry skin that is under stress already, so don't overdo the cleansing. Some natural oil is beneficial. The cold-water rinse is a great way to protect your pores from dirt. Well-written article!