Correcting and Getting Rid of Skin Blemishes

Blemishes seem to go hand-in-hand with acne problems. Actually, skin blemishes technically include acne and everything in between - from birthmarks and dark circles to moles and scars. Blemishes are as unique as their owners. They appear in different sizes, shapes and colors - including shades of pink, red, dark red, purple, blue or brown - on the skin's surface.

There are several factors that contribute to the onset of skin blemishes in adults. Cosmetics and toiletries may clog pores. Such products include foundations, night creams, and moisturizers. Cosmetics and toiletries that cause blemishes are known as comedogenics; when looking for cosmetics, try to choose "non-comedogenic" products. The environment also plays a role in the development of skin blemishes. Pollution can irritate blemish prone areas of the skin. The skin blemishes can be made worse by touching the skin or friction from clothing and hair.

The key to correcting skin blemishes is having the right skin car products and knowing how to use them. In your skin care tote, you should have a light cleanser, a scrub cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer. These are all essential and should be used everyday. In the morning use the scrub and the light cleanser, the toner, and the moisturizer; in the evening use everything but the scrub. The scrub you use in the morning will help exfoliate your skin, clearing out your pores so your skin has a lower probability of developing blemishes. Make this your daily regimen.

Apart from your daily skin care products, you need to have a blemish arsenal. This includes an intense spot remover, a light spot remover, and concealer. Use your intense spot remover at night. The more hardcore spot treatments usually are a thicker gel that dries and hardens once it's placed on the blemish. These more intense treatments work to dry out your spot without affecting the makeup you put on during the day. The light spot treatment should be used during the day. This shouldn't affect your makeup and can be used with a concealer.

Don't scrub too often. The biggest mistake by the acne-prone is thinking that washing with might is washing right. In fact, the friction you create by overscrubbing can stir up new blemishes and aggravate existing ones. You shouldn't even wash with a washcloth. Instead, gently clean your face with your hands.

Use an over-the-counter medication with benzoyl peroxide. This active ingredient is the first line of treatment and the best over-the-counter medication you can use. But note that benzoyl peroxide is better at preventing new lesions than at getting rid of what you already have. "One common mistake is to dab it on the blemishes themselves. What's more effective is to spread it all over the face, especially in areas where acne is prone to be present.

Chill out to avoid blemishes. Controlling the stress in your life is one of the best ways to control acne and other blemishes. There's no question that stress plays a key role in the development of new blemishes and continuance of existing ones. If you're prone to acne, find a relaxation technique that works for you such as exercise, meditation or listening to music and practice it daily, particularly when you're stressed out.

Avoid the big squeeze. Sure, you may be lucky enough to remove that nasty pimple by squeezing it-but in the process, you'll probably cause several more to develop. Although you may get one lesion to open and clear up quicker, there may be two or three smaller lesions beside it that you don't see that you can rupture from squeezing. And if you squeeze the wrong way, you can get permanent scarring.

Get in the shade. Although sunshine tends to "camouflage" blemishes by tanning your hide, there's no scientific evidence that sunshine helps remedy pimples. And the sunlight may cause adverse skin reactions to some acne medications. If you notice your skin turning red and blotchy, minimize exposure to sunlight, infrared heat lamps and even sunscreens.

Watch your diet. Iodine has been associated with acne, so iodine-rich foods such as beef liver, clams, crabs and other shellfish should not be ingested in large quantities. And although scientific studies haven't shown that chocolate, sodas, greasy foods or milk aggravates acne, if you find that you break out after eating certain foods, then forget the studies and avoid those foods. Among the other likely suspects are cheeses, nuts and other high-fat foods, as well as caffeine.

Read the labels on your cosmetics. Oil-based makeups have long been known to trigger blemishes, because the oil is usually a derivative of fatty acids more potent than your body's acids.

If you're prone to blemishes, you're better off with a makeup that lists water as one of its main ingredients. Specific ingredients too rich for blemish-prone skin include lanolins, isopropyl myristate, laureth-4 and sodium lauryl sulfate.

A blemish is a mar in the skin caused by pimples, blocked pores, a skin rash or scarring. Instead of feeling uncomfortable with how you look, keep a few basic makeup supplies on hand to conceal blemishes. Things you’ll need:
* Washcloths
* Concealer
* Concealer Brushes
* Exfoliating Cleanser
* Exfoliating Products
* Face Powder
* Non-oil-based Foundation

1. Wash your hands before handling your face. Dirt and oils on your hands will only aggravate the blemish.
2. Choose a concealer appropriate to the color and type of blemish you wish to hide. Concealer is a creamier foundation makeup with added pigments intended for specific parts of your face.
3. Pick a yellow-tinted concealer to hide red blemishes; choose a concealer a little lighter than your blemish for hiding darker marks.
4. Choose a masking cosmetic (which is thicker than concealer and has added pigment) to hide more prominent blemishes, such as small scars left from pimples or skin irregularities.
5. Apply the concealer or masking cosmetic over the blemish using your finger, an eye shadow brush or sponge.
6. Blend the edges with the surrounding skin, using a circular motion.
7. Set the masking cosmetic with a special setting powder, then apply oil-free foundation and powder on top.

Home remedies for blemishes, brown spots, freckles
1. Heat honey slightly and apply to face, tap face gently with your fingers. Wash honey off with warm water then rinse with cool water. A bit of wheat germ may be added to the honey before applying.
2. Blotchy skin: Make a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 8 parts water. Store in a decorative bottle in the bathroom. Rinse face 1-2 times a day with the solution.
3. Apply odorless castor oil or vitamin E nightly.
4. Apply lemon juice as a bleach to the spots
5. An old folk remedy for freckles: Dissolve some suger in the juice of one lemon. Apply mixture to each freckle with a camels hair brush
6. Honey is a great remedy for skin blemishes and acne because the honey kills bacteria.

If you follow these simple steps and routines, then next time that blemish pops up on a Monday morning, you can take action. Blemishes need not define your week!