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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : May 15, 2015 3:18 PM IST
The onset of summer often means a nightmare for people with oily skin. Choose the right skin care products to protect your face from zits, says an expert.
Dermatologist Kiran Lohia, managing director of Lumiere Dermatology, shares a few acne defense tips:
* Wash your face only twice a day: When you overwash your face, your skin signals your oil glands to overproduce oil, making it even more greasy. So, limit the excessive skin cleansing so that your skin can naturally balance itself. (Read: 8 ways acne can be treated (Gallery))
* Don't use soap: Soaps can damage skin by making it drier, rougher and more permeable to bacteria.
* Look for face washes with salicylic acid in it: Salicylic acid is naturally derived from willow bark. It helps to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. It also reduces oil production. The percentage should be at least one percent of it to have enough efficacy. (Read: Acne treatments recommended by skin specialists do they work?)
* Use moisturiser twice a day. No matter how oily your skin is, your skin still needs moisture to keep it healthy. Look for gentle gels that are free from fragrance, colour and paraben to let your skin breathe.
* Wear sunblock: The sun has UVA and UVB rays which initially may seem to be drying up those pimples. But they ultimately worsen your acne in the long run. Also, the sun can worsen the acne marks. (Read: DIY tips for acne-free skin)
What is acne?
Also known as acne vulgaris or pimple, acne is a common skin infection which usually occurs when one hits puberty. It is characterised by a red swelling, the size of a boil on the face, neck or back. It is a result of the increase in the production of the hormone testosterone in both males and females. Excess secretion of sebum (oily liquid which prevents the skin from drying) also leads to the formation of acne. Other factors like dirt, oil, clogged pores, and wrong diet are also responsible for pimples. Certain medications that contain corticosteroids, androgens or lithium can also produce acne. This mega guide contains all you need to know about acne.
When there is an excess secretion of sebum (an oily liquid that keeps the skin from drying), it can result in the formation of acne or pimples. The most common areas of acne appearance are the face, near the chest and the back as they have more sebaceous follicles (which are responsible for secreting sebum). The dirt, oil and dead skin cells clog the skin pores which give rise to acne.
With inputs from IANS
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