what's the best way to prevent acne?
548709
Contrary to what you may have heard, acne is not caused by dirty skin, eating chocolate, or drinking lots of soda. Acne is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin. These glands become stimulated when puberty hormones become active. Some people have more of a reaction to their hormone levels than others, which is why different people have different levels of acne.\n\nAlthough there is no surefire way to prevent acne, there are several ways to help reduce the number and severity of your breakouts. \n\nWashing your skin is essential (it helps remove excess surface oils and dead skin cells that can clog your pores), but washing too much can actually cause damage by overdrying your skin or irritating existing acne. \n\nRemember to wash after exercising because sweat can clog your pores and make your acne worse. If you work around greasy food or oil or if you've been sweating from heat or because you've been working hard, wash your face and other acne-prone areas as soon as possible.\n\nIf you use skin products, such as lotions or makeup, look for ones that are noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic, which means that they don't clog pores. \n\nIf you can't live without your hair spray or styling gel, be sure to keep them away from your face as much as possible. Many hair products contain oils that can make acne worse. \n\nIf you get acne on areas such as your chest or back, avoid wearing tight clothes, which can rub and cause irritation. \n\nSome teens find that over-the-counter products can help clear up acne. It may take some time to find the one that works best for you - some may not do the trick and others may cause irritation. Over-the-counter acne products come in different strengths; the typical acne-fighting ingredients are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. \n\nIf you find over-the-counter products aren't working for you, it's best to seek a doctor's advice. A doctor can prescribe special gels or creams, pills, or a combination of both. It may feel a bit awkward or embarrassing to talk about your acne with someone, especially a stranger, but your doctor is trained to help get your skin looking its best. \n\nWhat about pimples you already have? It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple usually won't get rid of the problem. Squeezing can actually push infected material and pus further into the skin, which can lead to more swelling and redness (not what you want before a big date!), and even scarring, which can be permanent.\n\nIf you are taking a prescription acne medication, finish your entire prescription even if your skin clears up, unless your dermatologist says you can stop. If you stop too early, there's a chance your skin could break out all over again.\n\nEating nutritious foods can help keep you healthy of course, and your skin will benefit from getting enough vitamins and minerals. But the bottom line is that you don't need to be obsessive about what you eat or how often you wash your face to control acne. If you don't find an over-the-counter product that works for you, talk to your doctor or a dermatologist for some advice on living through the acne years.
747412
Don't pop 'em!  That can actually spread the problem. I kept my face clean, stayed away from all the "trigger" foods, took medication.... I hate to sound like a commercial but I've had acne for ...well...years and nothing ever worked until I got Proactiv.  It really works.
815475
wash your face with some acne lotion and watch your diet, avoid greasy foods, junk foods etc. try to eat plenty of fresh fruit and drink plenty of water.
427720
Clean your face with a mild natural soap. Use lavender oil (100%) and it will heal acne and pimples very quickly. Put the oil on each blemish twice a day. A little goes a long way. Go to your local health food store to find the oil. I even mix some in with my face and body lotion.
644852
Just a few tips :). Wash your face no more than 3 times daily as washing it too often will only worsen the pimples. Try to stay away from oil-based make up; it can trap bacteria and cause EVEN MORE breakouts...\n\nIn terms of remedies---Do you have Aloe Vera at home? I know this sounds a tad mucky (it is), but if you do, crush to soften then rub it on the skin's surface. Leave it on for a few minutes...it works fairly well. \n\nHaving said all that. Why not try ProActive? It's really great. It has helped my skin tremendously; I'm sure it could work wonders on yours :).\n\nTake care. Hope I was able to help! :D
42996
Here's an article on naturally preventing and treating acne: http://acne.fanaticshome.com/Articles/Home_Treatment_for_Acne_-_a_non-chemical_approach.php\n\nAnd on using products: http://acne.fanaticshome.com/Articles/Finding_Acne_Skin_Care_Products_That_Work_For_You.php\n\nIt kind of depends on how severe your acne is and what kind of approach you want to take with it.
729203
First try over the counter facial cleansers, maybe by Neutrogena or Clean and Clear, or Oil of Olay. If none of these work after a couple weeks, you might want to visit a dermatologist. The doctor can prescribe you a stronger facial cleaner that is designed to get rid of acne!
662299
First Q is how old are u and of course male or female and which nationality u have?\n-The acne treatment depends on what kind of acne u have...we have many differen treatment for therm...\n-First Step is avoid sun shine...u can use some protection cream which has the SPF over than 25%...then if u are a smoker have to decrease the number of them....decrease the fat food u take(oily.fast food.chips...)....drink enough water (more than 2 lits a day)....wash ur face with no bacter soap(at least twice a day)...if u are a girl dont use bad brand of make up stuff and wash ur make up as soon as possible(even if u use removal cream ).....if u start any mild sport like areobic or even jogging it will make ur skin better....take good nutrition and vegetable....\n-secound we have some locolize solution ...they are antibactrial like erythromycin 1% and ....u can use them once every 2 nights on ur acnes(avoid 2 cm around ur eyes and 2 cm around ur mouth including ur nasolabial lines)....\n-third u can use systemic antibiotics like tetracyclin or doxi by the order of ur G.P or dermatologist....\n-if non of them work or u have cystic acne with scar u have to use a drug calls Actane its full of Vit A , it has his own order and u just can have it by a dermatolog ...\n-we have some other treatments like Microdermabration(its usefull for black spots),pilling(deep and superficial) for make the acne and the scar of them goes....\nits better if u visit a dermatologist.i know u r already go but dermatologist cant give u all treatment in the same time.\nGood Luck \nP.S:proactive is just a comercial brand ...not very useful
723151
Actually there are tons of products - just find one that works good for you proactive, acne pads or whatever works.  \n\nActually, a trick I've used for a while is that after I clean my face, (if I have a zit), I'll put \na little toothpaste on it.  I'll keep it there overnight, and in the morning it dries it out.  It works really good!  I don't think popping them is the greatest idea, because sometimes those things aren't ready to come out, and it can cause scarring (like little pock marks).  So try out a few remedies and see which one works best for you.\n\nGood luck!
1065077
Before washing your face (twice a day!), soak a washcloth in hot water and apply to your face for a few minutes to open the pores. Then wash with the rough side of the washcloth and whatever cleanser or soap you like. After washing, rinse well with tepid, then cool water to close the pores again. You'll get more dirt and oil out that way, and prevent so much buildup in the pores which is what causes pimples.
526363
1. Put toothpaste on your pimple before you go to bed, should help reduce swelling overnight. Make sure it is the paste not the gel. One of the most popular acne home remedies. \n\n2. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne. \n\n3. Apply a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves over the face every night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water. This will prevent acne, pimples, blackheads, and wrinkles.\n\n4. Place strawberry leaves on the acne, the alkalinity helps to reduce the swelling. \n\n5. Extract juice of one lemon and mix with equal quantity of rose water. Apply this mixture on the face and let it stay for about half an hour. Wash the face with fresh water. About 15 days application helps cure acne, pimples and reduces blemishes and scars. \n\n6. Another method is to massage the face with the skin of lemon before washing with lukewarm water. \n\n7. Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of acne, pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.\n\n8. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables should be included in your diet. All acne home remedies should include a healthy diet. \n\n9. A couple of garlic cloves, crushed and dabbed on the face 1-2 times a day. One of the smellier acne home remedies! \n\n10. Home face wash for acne: Mix together 1 or 2mls each of the following: witch hazel, tea-tree and sweet fennel essential oils, adding essential oil of geranium for women and essential oil of rosewood for men. Mix with 300mls of water. Shake before use, as the oils will float on top of the water during storage. Dab affected areas with cotton wool two or three times a day. The oils will clean and unclog giving antibiotic-like protection to the skin. \n\n11. Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning. \n\n12. Use 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10-20 minutes. Cool, and apply with cotton ball.\n\n13. Grind orange peel with some water to a paste and apply on affected parts. One of the best acne home remedies. \n\n14. Clean face with cotton wool dipped in rose water 2-3 times a day. \n\n15. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 teaspoon finely ground cinnamon powder and apply on affected areas frequently. \n\n16. Nettle Tea is another solution, this tea has a herb that has some curing power and really helps work wonders on skin problems. Drink four cups a day to get the full benefit of one of the most powerful acne home remedies. Get nettle products here. \n\n17. Aloe Vera juice applied twice a day can greatly speed up the healing of acne lesions. You can buy Aloe Vera at vitacost.com\n\n18. Another lotion that uses bee propolis extract may also be effective. Mix eight ounces of water and 11 drops of bee propolis extract. One of the acne home remedies which has been proven effective with many people. \n\n19. Some herbal acne home remedies... \nBurdock leaf tea. \nLavender essential oil (mix 1:10 with water) \nTincture of calendula flowers. \nTea tree essential oil (mix 1:10 with water) \nLiquefy cabbage leaves with witch hazel, strain and add two drops of lemon oil. Use as a lotion. \n\n20. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably less swollen. Works best on larger pimples that have not yet formed a head. \n\n21. Take vitamin B5 and zinc supplements daily to strengthen the skin's resistance to acne. \n\n22. Mix mint juice with turmeric powder and apply on affected area. Leave for 15-30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. \n\n23. Mix some vinegar and salt in a bowl. Pour a little bit in your hand and rub it on the pimples. Soak a face towel in it and dab it on the bumps. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off. \n\n24. Blend cucumber and make a paste. Apply this as a mask on your face and leave it for 1/2 hour and then rinse. This refreshes your skin
538447
-The acne treatment depends on what kind of acne u have...we have many differen treatment for therm...\n-First Step is avoid sun shine...u can use some protection cream which has the SPF over than 25%...then if u are a smoker have to decrease the number of them....decrease the fat food u take(oily.fast food.chips...)....drink enough water (more than 2 lits a day)....wash ur face with no bacter soap(at least twice a day)...if u are a girl dont use bad brand of make up stuff and wash ur make up as soon as possible(even if u use removal cream ).....if u start any mild sport like areobic or even jogging it will make ur skin better....take good nutrition and vegetable....\n-secound we have some locolize solution ...they are antibactrial like erythromycin 1% and ....u can use them once every 2 nights on ur acnes(avoid 2 cm around ur eyes and 2 cm around ur mouth including ur nasolabial lines)....\n-third u can use systemic antibiotics like tetracyclin or doxi by the order of ur G.P or dermatologist....\n-if non of them work or u have cystic acne with scar u have to use a drug calls Actane its full of Vit A , it has his own order and u just can have it by a dermatolog ...\n-we have some other treatments like Microdermabration(its usefull for black spots),pilling(deep and superficial) for make the acne and the scar of them goes....\nin ur case i think its better if u visit a dermatologist.\nGood Luck \nP.S:proactive is just a comercial brand ...not very useful
975316
To cure acne you must cure the gut (gastrointestinal tract).  Stress is well known to cause serious disruption of gut function (especially if you add a medical drug or two to the mix - e.g. antacids, antibiotics, or NSAIDs like Motrin, Advil or Aspirin).\n\nYour doctor is not likely educated on this issue, so you may need to educate yourself (or find a Certified Clinical Nutritionist [CCN], Chiropractor, Naturopathic Physician, or that rare Medical Doctor that is trained in nutrition).\n\nSherry Rogers, M.D. has written an excellent book on how to heal the gut (you do NOT have to have any 'stomach or bowel problems' to have gut problems - many people are asymptomatic at the gut level).  The book is called: "No More Heartburn".  Do not let the title mislead you, this book is about healing all kinds of gut problems, especially leaky gut syndrome and intestinal dysbiosis (the two likely factors in your acne).  The book is available at Amazon.com and I highly recommend it.\n\nI hope you find this helpful.  Best wishes and good luck.\n\nP.S.  Many of the acne drugs doctors like to use are virtually guaranteed to cause gut problems!  This may be why their use does not 'cure' your problem, but literally prolongs it!
649311
Regular soap can dry up your skin, so preferably use one of those liquid soaps speciallly for acne. Clean and clear worked really well for me when I used it before in my teens when I was more prone to acne breakouts. Unfortunately diet is another important part of it. I always hear lots of water helps keep a nice fresh face.
867385
benzoyl peroxide works.\n\nhowever, I personally have noticed a correlation with foods I eat and acne. Do you drink enough water? What types of fatty foods do you eat? \n\nI think that if you can tolerate drinking pleanty of water, reduce caffiene and saturated fats it might help you avoid having to put on an acne medication. However, I don't know what your diet consists of. You might be a super healthy eater. In that case are you under a lot of stress? \n\nWhen I had a strict diet I had virtually no acne. I would try to use biore strips and I would never have any thing that stuck to those strips. Now, I care a little less about my diet (I eat more cheeses and caffiene) it is a lot different.
48457
stay away from all the products that "reduce" acne n just try washing your face or wherever with mild soap may take a while but it works
16119
no product gets rid of acne. but there are plenty of products that cause it: junk food, lotsa bread and cheese, refined sugars. remember: acne is a parasitic virus. remove its food supply (junk foods) and it will remove itself. cut the above foods from your diet, fast on water for three days every other month and eat lotsa of dandelion (no really!!). Do this for at least six months and as long as you don;t go back on the junk food diet, you should be acne free!!! yipeee!!! good luck!!