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Wash your face with a gentle, oil-and fragrance-free cleanser; preferably a non-detergent one
labelled pH balanced.
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If you have oily skin, use a cleanser that contains benzoil peroxide or salicylic acid. Don't scrub - irritated skin swells around the pores, which can cause breakouts. Skip toner unless your face is very oily, otherwise it might dry out the skin.
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Apply a topical acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid over your entire face, not just where blemishes have already erupted. At night, use a drying spot-treatment product and dab oil-free moisturizer on dry areas. In the morning, apply an oil-free sunscreen gel over the entire face.
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Use a small makeup brush to dab concealer or cream foundation (in the exact same shade as your skin) directly onto the blemish. Use a fingertip to wipe away excess concealer around the blemish and, if necessary, apply another coat of concealer.
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If the makeup becomes cakey, carefully wipe it off and start over. Gently brush powder (in the exact same shade as your skin) on top of the concealer.
* If you have oily skin and feel that you need toner, apply it only on the T-zone, and rinse it off afterward (leaving it on can dry the skin). Use a clay mask as often as every three days to absorb excess oil.
* To stop redness and swelling in an emergency situation (job interview, wedding), ask your doctor for an injection. It calms down a pimple almost instantly.
* If you can't get to your dermatologist (or needles make you
squeamish), temporarily reduce redness and swelling by dabbing on a drop of drugstore cortisone cream, Preparation H, or Vasocon-A
eye drops.
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