This article covers the 3 easy steps you should take to clear your skin of acne. You might read elsewhere about a 'miracle cure' for acne, a 'magic acne cream' that will work instantly, or a 'new breakthrough' that will keep your skin clear forever, but ultimately the success of any treatment you use, will entirely depend on how motivated you are to apply the medication every day over a long period of time.



Being Proactive, Acne Improves. Simple!

The title of this article says '3 easy steps', and the steps ARE easy, but staying with these 3 steps for the long-term is not easy, and this is where most folks fail in their attempt to beat their acne.

My own son is a prime example of this - he is lucky in that his acne is quite mild, but it does have a huge effect on his confidence and his self-esteem, and that has a major effect on his life. When he has spots, he follows this regimen diligently for as long as it takes for his face to clear, but no matter how much I remind and encourage him to carry on treating, the frequency of his treatment drops off and eventually stops which means his acne returns - it's a vicious cycle. If you recognize yourself in the above paragraph, don't feel too bad about it - welcome to the club!

Being Proactive, Acne Improves. Simple!

I do not want to give anyone false hope here, but if you follow the 3 steps (and stick with them), almost all of you will be able to clear your acne. OK, the 3 steps are:

1. Cleanse

2. Medicate

3. Moisturize

Were you expecting something more complicated? It's not rocket science I know, but it does work. In fact it does get a little more complicated than that, because I should have added a word after each of those steps that word is 'properly', but I will cover what properly is means in this context a little later, and you will need to continue with your treatment after your acne is clear.

Cleansing Your Skin 'Properly'.

1. Golden Rule - when you wash the areas affected by acne you want to avoid anything that will irritate your skin - so always be very gentle.

2. Splash your face, neck, chest, and all the areas that are affected by acne with warm water.

3. Use a cleansing wash if you wish to gently wash the affected areas, use your hands only and don't spend too long doing this, you don't want to irritate your skin.

4. Rinse with warm water and pat your face dry very gently, do not rub your face, remember you do not want to cause any added irritation.

5. Leave your skin for about 5 minutes until it is completely dry before you apply your medication.

Medicate Your Skin 'Properly'.

1. Ensure that your hands are completely clean and dry.

2. Take the manufacturers recommended amount of medication onto one finger and use a finger from your other hand and gently apply the medication to the affected areas.

3. Then, work the medication using a circular motion with the finger into the skin until it is almost all absorbed - do this without applying any pressure.

4. Allow the medication to dry for about 5 minutes or so.

Moisturize Your Skin Properly.

1. Ensure that your hands are completely clean and dry.

2. Use the ends of your fingertips to gently pat the moisturizer onto your face.

3. Using the same technique as you did with the medication, work the moisturizer into the skin very gently.

4. Remember, when you are moisturizing, the same golden rule applies; avoid irritating the skin by rubbing.

Being Proactive, Acne Improves. Simple!

This 3 step regimen will work with any medication you are using (providing it is the right medication for your skin), but only if you follow it to the letter AND stick to it twice every day.

Almost every person I have met who has failed on this regimen has failed because they were not able to keep it up long-term. It is a chore, there is no point denying that, but if you are proactive and motivated enough you will see fantastic results.

How Long Before You See Results?

For most people 4 - 8 weeks will see their skin improve dramatically, others though will need a little more time, some will see results within a couple of weeks. But when you do see a significant improvement, please, please, please carry on, even if it is only once a day, because this will play a major part in preventing your acne returning.