At some point everyone has suffered from some form of acne. Whether you get the sparse pimple or blackhead every once in awhile or you get full on break out often, then you have probably looked for some sort of solution to make the blemishes go away. There are hundreds of different remedies available to you today, but many of them come at a price that isn’t always affordable. It seems the more you want to get rid of the skin problem, the more you have to spend to try out products that don’t work half of the time. Fortunately, there are a few ways for you to get rid of your acne without having to worry about the ridiculous fees that many medications cost. With a few simple changes in your shopping experience you may find that clear skin comes at a much cheaper price.
1. Use Generics
For many sufferers of acne there are certain prescriptions that are said to be top of the line. This causes people to go out and buy the name brand thinking that they can’t get the product for any cheaper. Luckily, there is a generic product for just about everything that is already on the market. Typically these items can be found right next to the name brand product in stores and they often have similar packaging in regards to coloring and fonts. If you don’t think there is a generic then make sure to ask the pharmacist, they should be able to point you in the right direction or give you a product that is similar. If you’re getting a prescription from your doctor then make sure to ask if it can be written for a generic brand. A lot of doctors do this already, but there is never any harm in double checking. It might not seem like a generic brand will save you much in the short term, but as your skin care adds up through the year you’ll be glad you opted for the generic rather than spending a whole lot more on the name brand which is exactly the same.
2. Directions
Part of a healthy skin care regiment is paying attention to the directions on each of your products. It doesn’t matter if you have purchased the product over the counter or is a dermatologist prescribes it to you, you have to follow the directions exactly for the product to work properly. A lot of people will try out a product for a week or two and expect it to work miracles, but the truth is you have to give things a bit more time to see if they will work. If you don’t use the product enough or you use the product too much then you may find that your skin situation doesn’t change at all or it might take a change for the worse. So, before you start a new treatment make sure you go through and read all of the instructions before you begin. This will help you know exactly what needs to be done for your skin to change and will give you a reason to know if the product is or isn’t working after a period of time. It is a waste of money to start a product when you’re not sure about the treatment needs. Usually people end up tossing out products they’ve barely tried because they failed to use them properly. So, save a little money by getting your products a change to work.
3. Samples
If you tend to have to experiment with different medications for your acne then you might want to consider looking for samples of various products. A lot of companies will actually offer you a free sample if you provide the shipping cost. Simply look on the site of a product you think might work to see if they’ll offer you a sample. Some companies will even send you a sample in the mail if you show interest in acne medications. There are a lot of programs you can sign up for that will keep the samples going for a small fee. A lot of people tend to bypass the over the counter products and opt to see a dermatologist for better results. If this is the case then talk to your dermatologist about trying you on samples before committing to a cost skin program. Usually doctors have a few samples around so it might not be an issue.
4. Shop Around
One major problem with picking up prescription acne medication is a lot of people tend to stick to the same pharmacies. Many doctors have their favorites which they tend to recommend while some people use the same pharmacy for years. When it comes to picking up prescriptions you want to make sure you call around about prices before you commit to one pharmacy. Pharmacies are a lot like department stores in the fact that their prices fluctuate. You might be able to get some of your prescriptions cheaper at one pharmacy and others cheaper at another, so asking around before submitting the prescription is always your safest bet. Of course, shopping for an over the counter product is a lot easier. Typically shopping online will give you a good idea of the best places to buy the product, but you may also want to look around local ads to see if there is a sale or coupons that will make your purchase even more budget friendly.
5. Skip Scrubs
One of the most common purchases for acne treatments is special scrubs that are supposed to help get rid of blackheads and other problems. The truth is these scrubs tend to make matters worse. For starters, when you scrub skin that is already irritated you are simply going to irritate it a whole lot more. Now, instead of showing up to school with a few pimples or blackheads you’re going to end up with an entirely red face that is more noticeable then your minor breakout. Sometimes scrubbing can even spread bacteria and cause other pimples to form. Whether is is a hard facial soap scrub or a special sponge designed to exfoliate your face, you may want to skip out on purchasing it. There are some gentle scrubs out there, but for most people the scrubs are unnecessary and cause more harm than healing. In fact, the best soaps to use for a facial are those that foam and require nothing more than your fingers to apply.
6. Avoid Harsh Soaps
Many people have issues with breakouts because of the soaps they choose to use. Some people actually prefer to use the same soap all over their body which can be a huge problem for the face. Generally, the face’s skin is incredibly sensitive in comparison to other areas of the body, so using the same soap can really dry out the face and cause breakouts. If you really want to use the same soap all over your body then you need to look for a soap branded for sensitive skin. It might also be best if you find a soap that is also scentless as many of these soaps with scents will actually clog the pores causing more breakouts. The best thing you can do is to find a cleanser that is affordable and still works well with your face. You may be surprised at how many affordable cleaners on the marker will keep your face feeling great.
7. Don’t Over Use
Over consumption of a product can be a huge money waster, especially when it comes to acne products. A lot of people tend to use as much product as they think necessary which usually turns out to be too much. There are a few problems with doing this though. The first is using too much product can actually cause an imbalance with your skin, which means you’re going to be fighting off some very dry skin or a pretty bad breakout. It also means that you’re going to run out of the product a lot faster, which means spending money more often for something that shouldn’t be bought for a month or two more. You should always follow the instructions when it comes to any product so you don’t harm your skin or waste your money. You should also limit the amount of times you watch your face each day. Usually once in the morning and again at night is plenty and unless your medication states otherwise you should refrain from doing it any more often. This could actually strip the natural moisture from your face and, of course, it will cut down on your budget.
8. All About Pores
Getting in touch with your pores can actually leave you with healthier skin. It is important to know how your pores react and when you should work with them to create a better tone and healthier skin balance. During the summer our pores tend to open up which leave them victim to grime and oils which leads to breakouts and self confidence issues. You should always cleanse your skin twice a day during the summer, especially on the hot days. However, you might want to consider rinsing your face with cold water. This helps close up the pores so less irritants can clog them and cause problems. Although your pores might be more closed in the winter it might be a good idea to open up them for a deep cleanse occasionally. Simply use a steamer or a hot wash rag to get the pores open and use your favorite cleanser. When you’re finished rinse with cold water and enjoy your flawless look that cost you absolutely nothing.
9. Home Remedies
Sometimes the cheapest way to beat a skin problem is to look at what you already have in your home. There’s countless ways to help get your skin looking flawless without acually having to buy any acne products. For starters, olive oil and apple cider vinegar are a great way to cleanse the face while keeping moisture locked in so you’ll always have that radiant look. If you do have a break out then you slice a potato and rub it on the affected area. This will help lower the swelling and reduce redness which will disguise the breakout altogether. You should never pop a pimple, but most of it do at some point or another. Just in case you ever do, you may want to crush an aspirin and mix in some lemon juice to help reduce the appearance of an acne scar. Cucumbers are also a natural way to help bring back moisture in the face and are one of the most common home remedies today.
10. Coupons/Rebates
Most products on the market have lots of coupons if you’re willing to look for them. From online sales sites to your local sales paper you should be able to find amazing deals all over. One great thing about acne medication is most of the companies want people to try their product. This opens up a whole new world of coupons and rebates that will make your facial regime affordable. If you’re lucky you might even be able to find a coupon for your favorite products each time you need to restock. So, make sure to sign up for coupon groups as well as email updates for products you love.
Acne doesn’t have to be a burden you carry throughout your life. There are so many new treatments that not only help reduce the appearance of acne, but also help it go away for good. Now you can show off your lovely skin for what it is instead of hiding it behind make up and other products designed to hide your pimple. With any luck you’ll be able to save a whole lot of money on the product you decide to use for your lovely skin.
