I have been struggling with acne ever since I was 14 years old. And to be honest, I always listen to what other people say when it comes to treating the nasty bumps in my face. I engage with these “let’s try it” moments where I do not spend more time validating and figuring out if the product of the procedure is legit. As long as people tell me that it works for them, I immediately dive in.
But since most of these suggestions do not work, I came to seek professional help. I told my skin therapist what I had done so far with my face, and I get that she has tons of reasons to feel upset about those actions. More importantly, I was surprised to know that certain things I thought are effective and assumed good for my face but just are not.
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Bar Soap
The thing with daily skincare is that most people worldwide are used to using bar soap as their facial cleanser. I entirely do not have anything against it because, like others, I also used some of those from cheap to expensive ones. But after reaching out to a skincare expert, I realized that I have been taking care of my facial skin the wrong way this entire time. Bar soap, as convenient as it can be, causes too much damage to the face. That is because it contains a lathering substance called sodium lauryl sulfate that dries out the skin. Admittedly, I love slathering my face because it feels so good. Unfortunately, that lathering causes the facial skin tissue to break apart. It does not provide the same microdermabrasion benefits essential to facial skin needs.
Body Moisturizers Or Lotions
I admit that I have tried putting body moisturizers on my face because I thought there was no difference to the effect whatsoever. And since it is still skin, I thought that body moisturizers or lotion could target my facial needs. But from the word itself, skin moisturizers are good for skin, but not for the face. The skin expert explains that the formula created for the benefit of the skin is not designed for the face. She said that almost all body moisturizers clog pores. That is because these products are usually a lot thicker and, in general, contain fragrances that irritate the more gentle and delicate facial skin. Now, going back to using it, I may have caused my facial acne more damage than I can imagine.
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Rubbing Alcohol
I know how this might affect facial skin, so I entirely believe this to be true. And now that I have consulted with a skin expert, I have learned the in-depth reasons why I shouldn’t consider doing it in any way. Sadly, I like the cooling effect alcohol gives to my face, but the skin expert said that alcohol is harmful as it rubs off the natural oil in the face. And when the facial skin realizes that it does not have oil anymore, it produces more oil in response. That explains why when I put alcohol on my face, my acne tends to multiply. So with that, I guess I have enough reason to listen to my skin therapist to stay away from rubbing alcohol.
Petroleum Jelly
Now this one is slightly interesting. I have been using petroleum jelly on my face as part of the home remedies for acne, especially because I have known it to moisturize my face. It has been known to improve skin hydration. In some instances, I put it on my lips to smoothens them and sometimes put it in some of the pimples in my face. But my skin therapist suggests that I should stop doing that because petroleum jelly potentially clogs pores. And she said that perhaps that is one of the reasons I still struggle with a lot of acne because I frequently use them. The skin expert told me that it causes skin breakouts, so she does not entirely recommend that. My therapist said I should consider going for natural ones made from beeswax instead of petroleum.
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Semen
Now this one’s a bit controversial. Of course, just imagine how taboo this one could be? I wouldn’t want to dig into people’s acceptable nor unacceptable opinions about this, but I know for sure some few individuals are into this. I know because some people already advised me to get on with it. Fortunately, I don’t see the significance. Good thing my skin therapist shares the same sentiment with me. She said that semen is ineffective in treating acne, contrary to some beliefs that it removes those nasty bumps for less than two to three days. Of course, for the sake of trying almost anything, I would want to know if that’s true. However, I still have that benefit of the doubt that made me forget about doing it.