If you're like most people suffering from acne, you've probably tried more than one over the counter solution. And you've probably found that most of them don't work, either. Sometimes it can seem like the crop of pimples on your face just never goes away. It's sad but true; most of the acne medications that are readily available don't actually work. Some might even aggravate your skin, which can make the acne worse - which is definitely not why you bought the medication! Maybe it's time to try doing things a little differently.
Do you know what one of the major triggers for acne is? I bet you were about to say oily skin, right? There's no doubt that genetics, hormones and your skin type do play a part, but in fact one of the biggest triggers is food. You may have heard the expressions 'you are what you eat'. There's certainly an element of truth in that - the type of food you eat is reflected in the health of your skin. So take a look at the type of food you eat regularly. How many of these are in your diet - fast food, greasy meals, treats, candy, sugary snacks, coffee, soft drinks, salty chips and dairy products. All of these contain ingredients that aren't kind to your skin and pores.
So if you're serious about improving the health of your skin, start with your diet. Get rid of all those junky foods you've been eating, stock up on healthy foods, including vegetables, and make sure you drink lots of water, too. Give it a try for a week, and see what happens. Chances are you'll see an improvement in your complexion. The healthy foods help to nourish your body and don't excrete so much garbage out through the pores of your skin, and the water helps to keep your skin hydrated. Eating better may not cure your acne completely, but it certainly can help to reduce its severity.
If you still need some acne medication, then instead of just buying whatever you can find at the drug store, go and visit a health professional. A dermatologist will be able to assess your skin type and acne problem, and recommend a course of treatment. This will probably include diet recommendations, so you'll be one step ahead of them on that front! They can also prescribe decent medications that actually make a difference. Before long you can have the clear, healthy skin you've dreamed about.
