The question of how to prevent acne is a difficult one to answer. Acne in the form of pimples, whiteheads or blackheads, cysts and bumps isn’t always preventable. With good skin care, it is possible to reduce acne but it may never be possible to completely prevent it. There are some products that help you resolve pimples sooner, but they typically don’t resolve pimples before they start.
There are a number of urban legends that many people have used as guidelines to prevent acne. For instance, teens may avoid chocolate or soda because they think that these things cause pimples. In actuality, these things don’t cause acne; instead, the causal factor of acne is production of oil in the skin, high presence of dead skin cells and presence of certain types of bacteria. Oil production is particularly high among teenagers, though there are many adults who certainly can attest to continuing acne that hasn’t improved much as they aged.
Even if you cannot prevent acne, there are some ways to reduce breakouts. These include using an exfoliant each day to help reduce dead skin cell buildup. The other helpful thing is to reduce oil and bacteria, and utilizing an astringent helps to remove excess oil. It’s important to observe this kind of skin care regimen daily, but not to overdo it. Very frequent washing of the face can dry the skin and make acne worse. Washing the face after exercise, in the morning upon waking, and before going to bed are enough.
There are some products that are designed to reduce if not prevent acne. Over the counter acne products usually have an active ingredient like benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Sometimes people find that these ingredients are not strong enough to really reduce acne. If this is the case, see a dermatologist who can prescribe other treatments that may help. Sometimes this merely means getting higher strength versions of over the counter products and other people take oral medications to reduce acne.
When selecting makeup, look for products that are noncomedogenic, which may help keep pores from getting blocked. It’s also important to replace makeup every couple of months because it can get loaded with bacteria. When using brushes to apply makeup, these should be washed or replaced every couple of months. Also, avoid getting most hair products on the face because these often have oils that can exacerbate acne.
It’s important to remember that there is no one right way to prevent acne, and no matter what treatment is used, you won’t be able to count on never having a pimple again. Instead, sensible measures can help you reduce number of breakouts. If acne is very severe, a doctor usually can find you treatments that reduce acne and are more effective.
