8 Easy Ways to Prevent Acne

Whether you are past the stage of acne breakouts or you are still about to enter such a period in your life, you are here for a reason and we won’t disappoint you. In this article, we will share several ways on how to keep acne at bay. So, enough with the introduction, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty on how to prevent acne.

Keep Your Face Clean

Let’s start with the basics and the first in the list is to always keep your face clean. You can rev up your facial cleansing regimen with the use of an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide face wash. Simply wash your face with this product once or twice a day. Doing so can reduce inflammation and kill bacteria associated with acne formation.

And of course, don’t forget to remove your makeup so it won’t clog your pores and cause acne. Also, if you experience a rash while using the benzoyl peroxide face wash, it’s better to discontinue it. A very rare side effect of this product is allergic contact dermatitis.

Identify Your Skin Type

Regardless of the skin type, anyone can get acne. Individuals with oily skin are more prone to getting acne because the sebaceous gland is producing too much oily sebum. Next skin type that is prone to acne is the “combination skin.” It means you both have dry and oily areas in your face. The oily area is usually the T-zone, which includes your forehead, nose, and chin.

Choosing the right product is easier if you know your skin type. For oily skin, use noncomedogenic products that are formulated so as not to cause blocked pores.

Avoid Scrubbing Your Face with a Wash Cloth

We get it that you just want to get rid of as much dirt on your face as possible, and so you think scrubbing your face with a washcloth is a good practice. However, the truth is scrubbing your skin harshly with a washcloth, loofah, or an exfoliating glove can just promote more acne. Instead, simply use your hands to clean your face and pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Don’t rub your skin and remember to only use the towel once. After use, immediately put the towel in the laundry hamper. Don’t hang it near your sink to reuse it again for later. Remember, dirty towels harbor bacteria.

Moisturize and Apply Facial Sunscreen

A lot of products that fight acne contain ingredients that dry the skin, so it is so important to keep your skin hydrated with a moisturizer that minimizes skin peeling and dryness. Take note of noncomedogenic and fragrance-free products, which means these products should not cause acne. You can also try products with glycerine and hyaluronic acid, which holds moisture on your face.

There are also moisturizers for different skin types. Hence, it would help if you know whether you have oily, dry or combination skin. Nevertheless, no matter what, it’s important that you apply sunscreen on your face.

Stay Hydrated

We all know the importance of drinking 8 glasses of water every day, but sometimes we still tend to forget. So, once again we are emphasizing the need to keep yourself hydrated because dehydration can make your body produce more oil. And you already know what will happen when oil and dirt accumulates and clogs the pores, right? Well, yes – acnes (in plural form for emphasis)!

Moreover, dehydration darkens your skin and promotes redness and inflammation. If you have an active lifestyle, you exercise a lot, or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are living in a hot and humid environment, you need to drink even more.

Limit Makeup and Use Water-Based, Oil-Free Makeup

Makeup has long been used as an easy solution to hide some skin imperfections, like uneven skin tone, dark spots, and even pimple. However, be extra careful with your choice of products and as much as possible apply makeup sparingly.

Heavy, greasy products with cocoa butter and mineral oil can worsen acne.  Find a product labeled as “noncomedogenic,” water-based, hypoallergenic and oil-free. And if you do wear makeup, don’t forget to wash it off at night before you go to sleep.

Watch out for Your Hair

If your hair touches your face, which it most likely will, the ingredients in the product that you used to style your hair will also end up on your skin. So, if you have acne-prone skin, you should avoid waxy and oily styling products, as well as hairspray/mousse as these products can clog the pores and cause acne.

Moreover, if you have oily hair, you need to wash it more often than people with dry hair. Always remember to keep your hair clean and off of your face to prevent acne breakouts.

Avoid Touching Your Face

Always bear in mind the importance of handwashing if you can’t help touching your face. But, as much as possible, do so as little as possible even if your hands are clean. And of course, never pick or touch your pimples because it can cause infection and scarring. You can also spread the bacteria in the area, as well as cause inflammation and clog surrounding pores, which will just worsen your acne problem.

The Bottom Line

We all get pimples and acne now and then. Whatever treatment plan or acne prevention plan you choose, it’s important to be patient and be consistent. Embracing a healthy skincare routine is crucial and not just resort to a quick overnight benzoyl peroxide solution every time you have acne on your face. And besides, most acne treatments take several weeks to produce the desired results. So again, be patient and consistent with your acne prevention plan and over-all skincare regimens.

 

 


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HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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