Introduction: Teenage Acne – Five Steps to Acne-Free Skin

Teenagers don't have it easy. The teenage years are always the most awkward years of one's life. You're in that in-between world where you're not exactly a child anymore but you're not an adult yet, either. More often than not, you feel that you don't fit inside your body, your body itself feels strange to you, and you feel this pressure to fit in and have the respect of your friends and peers. Add to that the fact that the teenage years come with teenage acne.

Teenage acne is one of the most common types of acne. It's among the many consequences of having the hormone surges that come with going through puberty and entering the teenage years. The rising hormone levels in the body lead to the secretion of excess sebum or skin oil, which can trap dirt and dead skin cells in the skin's pores. These dead skin cells and dirt serve as food for bacteria. The growing bacteria colony can irritate the skin and cause the bumps we call pimples.

Thankfully, there is a way to keep your skin acne-free, even if your body is surging with hormones. Here are five steps you should consider if you want your teenage skin to be relatively free of teenage acne.

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Step 1: Step 1: Know Your Skin Type

Do you know what your skin type is? Knowing your skin type is very important. That's because you have to consider your skin type when you're purchasing skin care products, as well as when you're building a personal beauty and skin care routine.

Basically, there are five skin types. Normal skin is clear, does not show any sensitivity to most skin care products, and doesn't have blemishes. Dry skin is skin that is flaky and rough. Oily skin is skin that tends to be greasy and have big pores. Combination skin is skin that is oily on the forehead and nose areas but dry on the cheeks, chin and other areas of the face. Sensitive skin is skin that gets red, swollen and irritated if exposed to chemical products like soaps and perfumes.

You've got to know your skin type first before you buy a skin care product or makeup or formulate a beauty and skin care routine.

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Step 2: Step 2: Keep Your Face Clean

Teenage acne is caused by dirt and dead skin cells trapped by excess skin oil in the pores. It goes without saying that to keep your skin pimple-free, you have to keep your skin clean.

You only need to wash your face twice daily to make your skin dirt-free. Excessive washing is also bad for the skin; doing so strips away the skin's natural oils and makes your skin dry. So, just wash your face once in the morning and once at night before going to bed. Use a mild soap or a gentle cleanser to get the dirt off your skin. Moisturize your skin after washing it. Never sleep with makeup on. Your makeup can clog your pores and contribute to your skin irritation.

Wash your face too after engaging in a strenuous activity that got you sweating or exposed to dirt, such as working out, doing chores or playing sports. Your sweat can trap dirt inside your pores and clog them, leading to infection and the formation of pimples.

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Step 3: Step 3: Stay Hydrated

Water is not just good for relieving thirst. It's also good for cleansing your skin from the inside and out. The skin needs to be hydrated to stay healthy. When the skin is hydrated and healthy, it is more than capable of fighting off infection caused by bacteria that leads to the formation of pimples. So make sure you're drinking two liters of water a day to keep your skin healthy and acne-free.

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Step 4: Step 4: Avoid Stress

Teenagers are always stressed out by something. They have to deal with the feeling of uncertainty that definitely comes with puberty, what with all the physical changes they're going through. Add to that the pressures of schoolwork, having a part-time job, chores at home, having to fit with a clique, dealing with crushes, struggling with identity, planning for college, etc. All that stress can manifest on the skin through teenage acne. So, you should avoid stress as much as possible. Just stay chill.

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Step 5: Step 5: See a Dermatologist

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, teenage acne won't go away. Don't despair; that happens a lot to a lot of people. In case your skin care routine fails to keep your skin pimple-free, then you should consult a dermatologist. The dermatologist will try to augment your skin care routine with topical creams and ointments that will help you fight against acne. Or, in case of severely infected pimples, the dermatologist will recommend you various treatment options for acne that will help you minimize the problem.

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