How to get a good, flawless, red/pore-free skin?

Facial SKIN EMERGENCY: How do I get my skin back to normal?

• I would like to know how to get my skin back to normal health. By this I mean that my skin from a distance looks okay with makeup on, but its completely the opposite (in my opinion). Problems: Groing up I had no one to teach me the proper ways to clean my skin without unknowingly damaging it. I exfoliated WAY too much Used way too many different products on my face Thus leaving it hypersensitive to ANYTHING and the pores are (I feel) PERMINANTLY huge My face also is redder than the rest of my body, and it gets WAY OVER flushed if I do any kind of exercise activities. IS THERE HOPE FOR MY SKIN? So because of all this, and also the hormones from the IUD I have, my pores stay large, facial skin is very acne prone, and is super sensitive. WHAT I NEED: I need a regiment that can get my facial skin STRONG again, erase the damage (without over damaging it again), get the pigmentation back to normal, get RID of my pores, and find a way to counteract the hormones from my IUD which give me hormonal cystic acne. If anyone can help, please let me know. Most of the "advice" I get is from people who have genetically perfect skin and dont have to worry about any skin problems. I want advice from someone who is knowledgable of ALL skin types from ALL ethnicities and genetic backgrounds (or otherwise disadvantages/advantages). Thanks for your time

• Answer:

  First off, give your face at least a week free from ANY products. No make-up, no cleansers, no exfoliating. Wash your face only one time a day, in the evening, with luke-warm water and plain ol' bar soap. Pat dry only! Make sure you don't rub it. Try not to touch your face during the day, too. After the week's up buy a AcneFree Sensitive Skin Acne System ($14.99 on Amazon). Continue only washing your face once a day, in the evenings. Again, pat dry only. I wouldn't exfoliate again for 3 months or more. That is only damaging your skin, not helping it. When you do exfoliate again, do it gently, never scrub your face. To get your make-up off, buy some Ponds cold cream (you can find it at Wal-mart) smooth it on, and wipe it off with a soft wash cloth and cool water. This works great, and is super gentle on your face. Avoid over-washing your face. Try to do it only one time a day with the Ponds cold cream to remove make-up, and then using the Acnefree system. For your pores (Wait at least two weeks before starting this) Steam your face to open your pores. Fill a basin with extra warm water. Make sure the water is not too hot. Hold your face over the basin for 1-3 minutes with a large bath towel draped over your head and the basin. Then, grab a washcloth and drench it in lemon juice. Place the washcloth firmly on your face for 1 minute. Then rinse your skin with warm water. Lemon juice contains enzymes that tighten and firm the face and purify and brighten the skin. Lemon particularly has the ability to cleanse and shrink the appearance of pores. Lastly, apply ice cubes to your face. Place the ice cubes gently along your pores for 15-30 seconds. This will have a tightening effect on your skin. Do this once a week if needed.