Learn how to do anything: How to Avoid Acne

Common acne (aka "acne vulgaris") is a skin condition characterized by what are often called pimples or zits. It can occur anywhere on the body and at any age, although it typically affects teenagers on the face and back. Some factors, such as being in puberty, can't be altered, but you can take steps to avoid and prevent acne. Keep yourself healthy and presentable by removing factors that contribute to acne.

Steps

Maintaining Hygiene

Wash your face twice a day: once at night, and once during your morning routine. When you wash your face, wash it gently and with warm water. The heat will open your pores and the temperature is better suited to clean than cold water. Make sure your water is not too hot so you don't burn your skin.
- While there are many good skin care systems available, make sure you use the right face wash for your type of skin (oily, dry, combination or normal). Drier skin needs face wash that doesn't rob it completely of oil, while oily skin needs a stronger-than-usual formula.
- Wash your hands before you wash your face. Washing your face is definitely important, but what's the use if your hands are oily and dirty to begin with? Wash your hands before you wash your face for best results
- Don't wash or scrub too hard. Some people prefer to wash their face with a washcloth but this can irritate your skin more; making it more prone to acne. Gently washing your face with your hands is the best way to go.

Moisturize after each face wash. Moisturizing your skin is just as important as washing it. When you wash your face, you strip it out of oils and moisture, causing your skin to produce more oil and sebum to compensate the dryness. Your skin needs moisture. Help it replenish that moisture by moisturizing after each wash.
- Depending on your skin type, you may want to choose a different moisturizer:
  - Oily skin: Choose a gel-based moisturizer.^[1] Gel-based moisturizers are usually better for oily-skin, as they provide essential moisture without overdoing it.
  - Dry skin: Choose a cream-based moisturizer.^[1] Cream-based moisturizers are heavier and longer-lasting than gel-based ones. Doctors usually recommend these for skin that needs something a little more heavy-duty.

Exfoliate once a week. Exfoliating means gently wiping off the outer layer of the skin (called the "epidermis") in order to help slough off dead skin and unclog pores. See if exfoliating once a week improves the complexion of your skin. You can buy a commercial exfoliating product, or you can make one on your own. Whatever you do, don't over-exfoliate. Exfoliating once a week is plenty.

Never go to sleep with makeup on. If you wear makeup, get into the habit of removing it before you go to bed. It's a hassle, for sure, but makeup that stays on your face can clog pores, leading to acne.^[2]If you know you're prone to leaving makeup on and you don't want to go through the hassle of washing your face, invest in some skin-cleaning wipes that you can use in a pinch.

Try not to touch your face with your hands. Your hands are breeding grounds for bacteria because we use them to touch so many things. Touching your face is a big no-no because it cuts down on bacteria transmission. The less bacteria on your face, the lower your chances that you'll develop nasty breakouts.
- Similarly, avoid sharing daily things and tools with siblings who have acne. These include, but are no limited to: towels, make-up brushes or kits, hair bands, etc.

Wash your pillowcases at the end of every week. The oils on your pillowcases can cause acne by spreading dirt, grime, and dead skin. Think about having two pairs of pillowcases that you can switch out at the end of each week so that you don't find yourself doing laundry every week.

Pay attention to your hair routine, especially if your skin is oily. How you treat your hair can have a big impact on acne, especially around your forehead. Your scalp releases natural oils to keep your hair lustrous. But too much oil in and around your scalp, while healthy for your hair, can be dangerous for your skin. For this reason, wash your hair at least every other day. Try to strike a good balance between healthy hair and healthy skin.
- Watch out about applying too much product in your hair. Gels, mousses, and sprays can get into the pores of your skin, clog them, and create pimples. Be selective about how much product you put into your hair, especially if you have acne around your forehead.

Stay out of direct sunlight. Exposure to too much sunlight can be harmful to the skin. You probably already know that it can cause skin cancer, but did you know that it can exacerbate acne?^[3] When you go outside or expect to be in the sun for a long period of time, wear some noncomedogenic sunscreen to help block out harmful rays. "Noncomedogenic" just means that the sunscreen won't clog your pores.

Paying Attention to Diet and Exercise

Drink enough water to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated may help you maintain your clear skin. While there is conflicting scientific evidence supporting the claim that "water helps clear toxins out of your body," most scientist agree that drinking water is net-beneficial to your skin instead of net-neutral or net-negative.^[4]^[5]^[6] You don't need to necessarily drink eight glasses of water per day, but drink enough to replenish what you might have lost in exercise, and drink when you are thirsty.

Eat healthy. Doctors are beginning to understand, after decades of inconclusive evidence, that diet does play a difference in whether you get acne and how severe it is.^[5]^[7]^[8] Eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits, lean protein, whole wheats and grains, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids, for example) should help your body fight acne. At the same time, it will make you healthier and give you more energy. In addition to the foods listed above, try to get enough:
- Vitamin A. Vitamin helps your body flush out acne-causing proteins and oil from the skin cycle.^[5] Take either 10,000 UI of vitamin A supplements, or eat foods that are high in vitamin A, which include fish oil, salmon, carrots, spinach, and broccoli.
- Zinc. Some evidence suggests that people with acne don't have enough zinc in their systems.^[5] Scientists think that zinc creates an inhospitable environment for the acne-causing bacteria. Foods that are high in zinc include: turkey, wheat germ, oysters, pumpkin seeds, and peanuts.^[9]
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids promote healthy cell turnover and cut down on inflammation.^[5] Examples of omega-3 fatty acids include flax seed, salmon, sunflower seeds, and almonds.

Stay away from problem-creating foods and diets. Scientists believe that high-glycemic diets — chocolate, French fries, pizza, etc. — are linked to acne vulgaris.^[10]^[11] In addition to high-glycemic foods, milk might also be a major culprit in causing acne, doctors have found:
- Milk and other dairy products are laden with hormones (testosterone or androgens), which can increase insulin levels, just like sugar and starchy (high-glycemic) foods do.^[12] Scientists are now unraveling the very real link between dairy and acne.^[13]^[14] You don't necessarily have to cut dairy out of your diet, but be careful about overindulging in dairy if you're worried about acne.

Stay away from excessive alcohol and smoking. These drugs aren't good for your complexion. Studies around the world have linked toxins like tobacco and alcohol to acne.^[15]^[16] And it's little wonder: smoking and drinking aren't exactly wonderful for your health. If you're a regular smoker or drinker and worried about acne, consider cutting down on these habits if you're serious about seeing an uptick in overall health.

Exercise to reduce stress and prevent acne. Exercise is really helpful for avoiding acne because it lowers the amount of stress that your body goes through. Unfortunately, stress is a significant cause of acne, both in children and adults.^[17] Therefore, any way that you can remove stress from your life is a "win" for clear skin. Exercise is one of those ways.

To help cut down on stress, be sure to sleep enough. Studies have shown that not getting enough sleep can seriously increase the amount of stress a person goes through, sometimes up for 15% more stress for each hour of sleep lost beyond their normal allotment.^[18] Shoot to get between 9 and 10 hours if you're younger than 18 and between 7 and 8 hours if you're an adult.^[19]

Using Acne Products

Use benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is used to kill the bacteria that cause acne. Benzoyl peroxide comes in different concentrations, but studies show that benzoyl peroxide with a 2.5% concentration is just as effective as 5-10% solutions while being less irritating to the skin.^[20] Additionally, benzoyl peroxide helps peel away layers of dead skin on the epidermis, leaving brighter, more rejuvenated skin in its place.

Use salicylic acid. Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid kills bacteria responsible for pimple growth. It also causes skin cells to shed more rapidly, promoting the growth of new skin. Put small amounts of salicylic acid onto affected areas before you go asleep, after you have washed your face.

Consider using tea tree oil. While this isn't specifically bottled for acne, it's nonetheless a very effective home remedy. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can make the redness and size of pimples less noticeable.^[21] In one study, tea tree oil proved to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide in reducing inflamed lesions of acne patients.^[22]
- Because tea tree oil is very strong, dilute it first in a little bit of water before applying to the skin with a Q-Tip or similar instrument. Too much tea tree oil may irritate skin.

If things get serious, consult your doctor. A dermatologist is trained to spot and treat skin disorders. The doctor may recommend a prescription containing clindamycin phosphate or benzoyl peroxide, both very popular acne deterrents. Prescription strength medicines are often much stronger than solutions you can buy over the counter.

Tips

Always wash your face when you are sweaty. The oils in your skin can cause more breakouts, stress also takes a part of breaking out.

Make sure to take care of your skin, don't be lazy.

If you have one-sided acne it could be your phone/pillow so make sure you wash them regularly.

If you wear makeup and or sunscreen on your face, make sure to wash it off before going to bed, or your makeup will have more time to soak into your skin.

Mixing honey and orange or lemon juice and applying it to your skin helps to reduce acne scars and clears out your pores naturally.

Make sure to wash your face, but not with to many things that will just dry out your skin and cause more acne.

Try sleeping on your back as much as possible to avoid making contact between your face and your pillow.

Spread honey on your face with the back of a spoon, then lightly press and peel the spoon on and off your face, then wash your face off (Do this before a shower, that way you can clean it off without getting anything else wetter than your face), leaving your skin very clean and soft (the honey removes dirt, dead skin from your face)

If you smoke, quit smoking, as nicotine, an ingredient found in cigarettes, has been tied to the eruption of acne on the skin. Quit smoking, and notice your skin becoming clearer.

Try a regimen of gently washing your face twice a day, then applying generous amounts of benzoyl peroxide and finally putting on a good non-comodogenic moisturizer.(Always consult a doctor or expert before using medicated products).

Sometimes the best way of taking care of this condition is by doing it naturally, as in using natural products. Witch Hazel can help when applied with a cotton swab after washing your face.

Get facials. Facials will help to cleanse your skin and the one performing the facial may or may not get rid of problem spots.

Eat more green vegetables. They have been tied to preventing breakouts.

Consult your dermatologist, he/she can help you get rid of the problem better than you can do it yourself.

Cleanse the colon by taking psyllium husks with water once or twice per day. This is another excellent way of detoxing the body. Psyllium can be found at most chemists, pharmacies, and drugstores.

If all else fails and you have severe problems, Accutane (also referred to as Roaccutane) removes the underlying root of Acne and will, in many cases, rid you of the problem forever. It does, however, have several side effects and potential severe ones.

Don't touch your face, especially if your hands aren't clean.

Relax! Stress will add to acne breakouts!

Use lemons with ice on your face.

Just wash your face every morning and every night, maybe with some Neutrogena Face Scrub (good for pores as well).

Be sure not to use too many products at once, as you may not know which one is working. Use one, if it doesn't work, try another.

Keep your hair away from your face , because it iterates the skin.

Try soaking a cotton ball with Hydrogen Peroxide and dabbing it on your face when you wake up or before you go to bed to clean off the dirt and dry up pimples.

Always be sure to use an oil-free moisturizer after washing, as oils often lead to breakouts in skin.

Try to avoid sweating.

It helps to put sugar mask on your face, then you can wash it off. Invest in some acne facial wash, if you have acne, salicylic acid gets rid of pimples, and it help cleans your face. Wash your face every day, and exercise, it helps to get rid of stress!

Try to not over do it with the face washing as this can cause you skin to become even more irritated.

Gel cream moisturizer is good for keeping your skin hydrated without having it feel extra-oily. However, this only works with certain skin types, so try it to see if your skin works better with gel cream rather than normal lotion.

Drink water, don't touch your face and food has nothing to do with acne, if you wear bangs wash hair frequently, ( not every day). And remember your hair is the dirtiest thing on your body,then your hands, so keep skin away front HANDS and HAIR, and if you have bangs, I'm not saying grow your hair out, your fine.

Warnings

Never touch your face before washing your hands as this can just add bacteria to your face increasing the vulnerability of getting pimples.

You should only scrub your face if you have no existing pimples. Scrub lightly; avoid scrubbing too much or with too much pressure.

Never pop a pimple as this can cause scarring.

Anything beyond very gentle cleansing can actually worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or over-drying skin.

Never make any drastic changes in your diet or skin routine without first consulting a medical professional; certain hormones can cause unexpected break outs.

Benzoyl peroxide can have a bleaching effect on clothes and hair. It may also increases sensitivity to the sun, so you might find that you burn faster.