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How to Prevent Acne Breakouts

Aastha Dogra
Acne breakouts are hard to manage and extremely difficult to get rid of. This article lists some useful tips and advice on preventing face and body acne.
Pimples, blackheads, zits, whiteheads, pustules, papules, and cysts are all forms of acne. Acne appears on the skin due to a number of factors such as when there is an excess production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, when the person experiences stress, if there are certain hormonal imbalances, or sometimes it may be hereditary. Once acne appears, it is very difficult to get rid of it. Thus preventing it is a much better option.

Cleanse, Scrub, and Moisturize

A major cause of a breakout could be the accumulation of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells in the pores of your skin. In order to avoid this, cleaning the skin properly on a daily basis and scrubbing it once a week to get rid of the dead skin is very important.
If you have oily or sensitive skin, use a mild, herbal cleanser, preferably a neem-based soap instead of the ones with strong chemicals. Remember to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, as dry skin can sometimes aggravate acne.

Salicylic Acid

One of the most effective home remedies is to treat the skin with a salicylic acid solution, post cleansing. Applying a 2% salicylic acid solution on the skin will help to get rid of the dead skin cells, which might otherwise clog the pores.

Medication

Medicines such as Retin-A and Accutane can be taken with a doctor's prescription. These medicines are very beneficial for the skin, and their regular usage helps to prevent zits, get rid of fine lines, and delay the appearance of wrinkles. Application of certain topical creams available in the market will help to treat the existing pimples as well as preventing them in the future.

Salon Treatments

Certain salon treatments, such as alpha hydroxy glycolic peels, are especially meant to reduce zits. In this treatment, glycolic acid is applied to the face. It is later peeled off the skin, along with the upper layer of dead skin. This helps in freshening up and rejuvenating the skin, preventing all kinds of skin problems including acne.

Natural Remedies

Here are three very effective natural cures.
  1. Apply the juice of a grated cucumber on your face once a week to avoid pimples.
  2. Aloe vera juice is equally effective. Apply it once a week.
  3. Applying egg whites once a week will make the skin pimple-free, as well as prevent dryness.

Tips

  • Do not touch the areas which are affected by acne with your fingers, as it can spread the infection to other areas of your skin as well.
  • Maintain hygiene, i.e., use clean bed sheets, pillow cases, and towels. Dirty towels can be the breeding ground of germs and bacteria, thereby causing severe breakouts.
  • Dandruff and oil in hair can be a problem too, so avoid styling your hair in ways that make your hair touch or fall on your face.
  • Exercise everyday as it helps for proper blood circulation and adequate transfer of oxygen to all the body cells. Exercising will help to reduce stress and zits.
  • Take a shower after any kind of exercise or physical activity to prevent dirt and sweat from getting accumulated in the pores of your skin.
  • Drink lots of fluids and water to assist the elimination of waste and toxins from your body for glowing skin.
Applying sunscreen when going out in the peak sun hours, i.e. between eleven a.m. to three p.m., is very essential. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet with sufficient vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and fat is the key to glowing, fresh, blemish-free, and clean skin.