How to Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health

Tried "everything" to get rid of your acne? A hot compress can be used to cleanse the pores 2-3 times a week, and is totally safe for all skin types.

Steps

1. Take a small (1'1 ft) dishtowel or washcloth and run it under the faucet until saturated.
   
2. Sprinkle the optional ingredients on top, or fold them into the towel.
   
3. Microwave towel for 35-55 seconds.
   
4. Remove from microwave (see warnings}.
   
5. Drape over face, and using both hands, hold it onto your downturned face until the heat begins to escape.
   
6. Your pores should be open now. Look into a mirror, and if you see hundreds of tiny specks covering your face your pores have been successfully opened. If you do not,then saturate the towel again, and microwave for a longer time period, and repeat steps 4-6.
   
7. Use facial soap with warm water to rinse away all of the crud built up in your pores. Work into a lather, and rub in small circles around your face.
   
8. Re-open your pores once again using steps 1-6.
   
9. Apply vitamin E oil, cream, or sage tea.
   
10. Close your pores by gently dabbing your face with a cold washcloth.
    
11. Refrain from touching your face for 2-3 minutes to allow the foreign additives to settle, and the pores to close entirely.
    
12. Apply your favorite moisturizer.
    

Tips

• If this treatment is ineffectual for 1-2 weeks continue to use it for a month before changing approaches.
  
• Sage can be found alongside other spices in the grocery store. Vitamin E oil and cream can be found in the skin care section of many pharmacies (Rite Aid).
  
• Lavender oil can be found in baby stores, and in specialty fragrance stores (Bath and Body Works)
  

Warnings

• May be hot, use tongs, and handle with caution.
  
• If you use this too frequently your skin may become damaged by the heat. Stick to 2-3 times per week.
  
• Do not add any products you may be allergic to to your compress.
  

Things You'll Need

• A small washcloth
  
• Running water/ a container with 1gal+ of water.
  
• A microwave
  
• Face soap
  
• Optional:
  
  • Lavender oil
    
  • Vitamin E oil
    
  • crumbled sage leaves
    
  • Vitamin E cream
    
  • Any acne treatment lotion you may have on hand.
    

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