Acne and How To Get Rid of It!

Acne is an infection that affects millions of Americans and it can unfortunately take a toll on one’s self esteem. Without the proper knowledge, an individual can feel helpless in the battle for achieving healthy skin. To effectively have acne-free skin, one must educate them self on the cause of acne to learn how to overcome the issue.

What is Acne?

Acne is a condition that’s caused by the overproduction of oil by the oil glands of the skin. The oil that naturally lubricates the skin gets trapped in blocked oil ducts which results in what we know as pimples on the surface of skin. Blackheads, whiteheads, or deeper skin lesions known as Cysts can also develop as well.
- Pimples are small skin swellings that sometimes contain pus.
- Blackheads are dark formations on the skin due to an accumulated mixture of oil and cells in a blocked skin pore.
- Whiteheads are small flesh-or white-colored bumps due to skin pore blockage.
- Cysts are closed sacs beneath the skin or deeper that contain fluid
or semisolid substances. (Health Information Publications, 2010)

How To Get Rid of Acne?

Acne is managed well by over-the-counter preparations such as Benzoyl peroxide and/or Salicylic acid. Both can be applied topically through gel, liquid, cream, or lotion form.
- Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria P acnes and it dries up the oil as well.
- Salicylic acid helps interrupt the shedding of the skin cells lining the oil glands.

What Skin Care Regimen is Best to Get Rid of Acne?

- Cleanse the skin with a Acne-friendly cleanser (A cleanser that doesn’t have large exfoliating beads)
- Tone The Skin with a Salicylic Acid Toner (Recomended no more than 2% Salicylic Acid)
- Treat the skin with Benzoyl Peroxide (Recomended no more than 5% Benzoyl Peroxide)
- Moisturize the skin (Prevents dryness/redness from acne medications & prevents pores from creating new acne)
Acne is an injury (infection) that can result in pigment spots. Depending upon how serious the injury, the spot may remain visible four to ten weeks. If there are chemical imbalances in the skin, the acne infection would be slow to heal. As a result, the pigment marks can be darker and may last eight to twelve weeks. Individuals with lighter skin usually develop red to purple marks as a result of these infections which can last eight to ten weeks.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for acne. Those with moderate to severe acne are systemically (bodily) deficient in chemicals needed to prevent acne. On the other hand, Zinc can block many of the conditions that produces acne. This essential mineral also acts to inhibit the production of pigment. Since Zinc is lacking in the skin of those with moderate to severe acne, hyperpigmentation can become a secondary problem.
Preventing Pigment Spots: Pigment spots are a direct result of acne, so the only way to prevent pigment spots is to prevent acne. Instead of focusing on lightening pigment spots, its best to work on controlling or eliminating the actual cause (Skintactix, 2006).
Having the right skin care regimen and being committed to it can help you get rid of your acne in approximately 7 days. The right products along with healthy habits can effectively lead to great skin.

Women wear foundation for many reasons. Foundations minimize facial imperfections, it gives the appearance of an even complexion, and it protects the skin from environmental damage as well. There are more to foundations than just finding your right shade.  This article will explore easy foundation tools used by professional makeup artists.

Your perfect match

The first step to flawless foundation is knowing exactly which formula is the perfect match for your skin type. In a recent poll, 90% of women confessed that they would love it if someone would help them find their perfect foundation. These women also confessed that they have issues finding their perfect match and they are not confident that they are wearing the right foundation. This information came from a national survey of 1000 women ages 25-45 (Directive Analytics, 2011). Speak to someone that specializes in various types of foundations to make sure you are using the right formula for your skin type. Once you find your perfect formula, you can use your tools to enhance your look.

Foundation Primer

Behind every professional look is a great primer. This is a secret tool used by makeup artists to create an even and flawless canvas. In fact, celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff (2011) states, “I never apply foundation without a primer. You won’t paint your walls without priming them first, would you?” (TriniBeauty.com).
A great Foundation Primer comes with many benefits. It extends the wear of your foundation, acts as an invisible buffer to fill in imperfections, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When purchasing a primer, you should look for key features. Make sure the formula is oil-free, fragrance free, non-comedogenic, and safe for sensitive skin. Mineral enriched primers absorb oil and defuse light for skin-perfecting benefits. It’s also important to ensure that your primer has a lightweight formula with a matte finish as well. Primers should be applied a few minutes after applying your favorite moisturizer and right before you apply your foundation.

Liquid Foundation Brush

Liquid Foundations can be applied using your fingers, but liquid foundation brushes have their major benefits. Most women have the habit of placing their foundation on different areas of the face and then spreading it around with their fingers. This way of applying foundation can lead to an uneven application and lines of demarcation on the swirl patterns of the face. The only way to correct this after the foundation has set is by applying more makeup (Greatest Look, 2011).
Liquid foundation brushes were designed to go where fingertips can’t. It gives you a smoother, more flawless finish and it also prevents you from transferring excess oil to your face from your fingertips. Liquid foundation brushes are favored over makeup sponges because sponges have the habit of absorbing product which requires you to use more to achieve the same look. From this information, we can agree that liquid foundation brushes are not only better for your look; they’re better for your skin and wallet as well.
To apply foundation using a liquid foundation brush:

• Place foundation on the back of your hand
• Lightly dip the brush then apply to face in downward strokes

Mineral Foundation Brush

In the world of foundation brushes, one size doesn’t fit all. We are all aware of our classic powder brushes, but those brushes shouldn’t be used when applying mineral powder foundation. Using an ordinary powder brush with mineral powder foundation leads to an uneven and unfavorable finish. Mineral Powder Foundation Brushes were made specifically for the application of this type of formula. Its soft bristles are short and flat across the top, which allows you to easily customize the level of coverage you’d like to achieve. It picks up the right amount of powder and releases it evenly as you sweep and swirl the brush.

Choosing the right foundation tools is just as important as choosing the right foundation formula. Now, having been equipped with this information, don’t hesitate to share it with friends and loved ones.

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