Ways to Prevent Acne

If you're worried about acne, there are things you can do to keep those pimples away:

To help prevent the oil buildup that can lead to acne, wash your face twice a day with warm water and a mild soap or cleanser.

Don't scrub your face. Scrubbing can actually make acne worse by irritating the skin. Wash gently, using your hands instead of a washcloth.

If you wear makeup, moisturizer, or sunscreen, make sure they are "oil-free," "noncomedogenic," or "nonacnegenic."

When you wash your face, take the time to remove all of your makeup.

If you use hair sprays or gels, try to keep them away from your face because they can clog pores.

If you have long hair, keep it away from your face and wash it regularly to reduce oil.

Baseball caps and other hats can cause pimples along the hairline. Avoid them if you think they are worsening your acne.

Wash your face after you've been exercising and sweating a lot.

Try not to touch your face.

Don't pick, squeeze, or pop pimples.

Many lotions and creams are sold at drugstores to help prevent acne and clear it up. You can try different ones to see which helps. Products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in them are usually pretty helpful for treating acne. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that can lead to acne and it also can reduce swelling (puffiness) of pimples. Salicylic acid is another acne-fighting ingredient. It causes skin to dry out and peel, which can help get rid of pimples, too.

When you use a product for acne, be sure to follow the directions exactly. Don't use more than you're supposed to because it can make your skin very red and very dry. It's also good to try just a little bit at first to be sure that you're not allergic to the product. Don't give up if you don't see results the next day. Acne medicine can take weeks or months to work.