A caring habit
Skincare is not only about beauty – it’s really about health, so it’s just as important for boys as it is for girls. Even the most macho of males have a skincare routine to protect and clean their skin to help them feel good.
Clean, clear and healthy
Skincare begins with regular washing. To avoid pimples or acne you will need to regularly cleanse your skin to remove dead skin cells, sweat and harmful bacteria. You may need to pay special attention to your face, chest and back, where oil production is greatest.
You’ll need more than water. There are specially formulated products adapted specifically for teenage skin to help prevent and treat pimples.
There are four steps to skincare: cleansing, toning, balancing and extra care for problem areas.
Cleansing
It is important to use a cleanser twice a day – in the morning and before going to bed – to clean your skin of dirt and oil. Cleansers come in many different forms: facial washes, cleansing wipes, bars or cream cleansers and often contain special medical ingredients that kill problem-causing bacteria.
Toning
After cleansing, use a toner to remove any remaining oil and dirt on your skin. A toner will help to keep your pores unclogged and prevent pimples from forming. Apply with a cotton pad or ball. The used cotton pad will show you what has been removed by the toner and that simple cleansing does not remove all the dirt. Regular toning will help keep your skin looking and feeling good.
Balancing
Even an oily skin needs a moisturiser; but you should try an oil-free product. Some moisturisers have a sunscreen included. Others contain medicated ingredients that help prevent pimples. Moisturisers help to balance your skin – it should feel smooth and soft but not too greasy.
Extra care
The fourth step in your daily skincare routine should be to pay special attention to any problem spots where you have pimples. This may involve applying special acne creams from your doctor or pharmacy. Avoid picking or popping your pimples as this can lead to scarring.
Frequently asked questions about skin care
Q: Does the amount and type of food you eat end up as pimples on your face?
A: There is no evidence to suggest that certain types of food cause pimples but your skin does reflect your state of health. If you’re eating healthy food, your skin should look better than if you eat tonnes of junk food.
Q: A friend told me that sunbathing without sunscreen is good for acne. Is this true?
A: Fresh air, sunlight and exercise contribute to a healthy-looking skin. If you sunbathe without sunscreen it’s likely you’ll get sunburnt. This can lead to early aging of your skin, wrinkles, loss of elasticity and increased risk of cancer later in life.
Q: I find that my pimples are worse after I have a shave and I sometimes have a red rash. How can I avoid this?
A: Shaving can be very tricky when you have pimples. Very carefully shave around the pimples and avoid cutting their tops. Treat nicks with a tissue to dry the blood. Shaving rash is very common. It is not associated with pimples, but can be made worse by using a blunt razor. Applying a non-oily moisturiser after shaving may help to reduce soreness and redness.
Q: I sleep well, eat a healthy diet with no junk food, drink lots of water, exercise regularly and I still have lots of pimples. What can I do?
