How to Prevent Acne

Many people will suffer with acne of some type at some point in their life. Not only can this skin condition be physically painful, it can also be emotionally scaring. Understanding what causes a breakout is the first step in prevention.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• antibacterial soap
• paper towels

1. 
   Stages of Acne

   Acne is cause by three typical elements, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Your body produces oil, and your body sheds skin cells there is nothing in the world you can do about these two factors. Many products that claim they can cure these two problems often leave your skin in worse shape than when you started. So what can you do?

2. 
   Bacteria trapped in pores.

   Understand the stages of acne. The blemish that shows on your skin today started 2-3 weeks ago. Deep within your pores oil is made that will keep your skin soft and pliable. As your skin renews itself old skin cells die and mix with the oil to be sloughed off your skin. Some people shed skin cells evenly and some do not which can lead to a clog in your pores. If your pores become clogged and trap bacteria the result is a pimple.

3. 
   Demonstration of Bacteria on your hands.

   There is nothing that can be done to stop oil or your skin cells from shedding. The only thing that you can do is prevent bacteria on your face. Think about how many times you touch your face in a day. When you are nervous this incessant touching probably increases. Millions of bacteria can be found on your hands, and underneath your fingernails that contribute to the level of bacteria on your face.

4. 
   Exposure to Bacteria

   Even if you wash your hands many bacteria are missed. The most common places of bacteria still present on the hands after washing is on cuticles and your wrists. Do you sleep with your hand touching your face, or touching your arm? While you are sleeping you are allowing your face to be in contact with a smorgasbord of bacteria. The same is true if you ever lay your head down on a desk!

5. 
   Will you touch your face with these hands?

   Now we know what causes breakouts so we can move forward with how to prevent them. Stop touching your face, even for a second! If you can eliminate the need to touch your face you can win half the battle over acne. Do not pick a pimple! When you open a blemish on your face with your fingers or nails you are only contributing more to the problem. What was once inside that pore is now spread to many other pores on your face.

6. 
   Antibacterial Soap

   Before you wash your face, wash your hands in an antibacterial soap. Wash up to your elbows as most likely your face will come in contact with the skin on your arms at some point in the night. Take special care to scrub around cuticles,and under your fingernails. Wash your face with the same antibacterial soap. When you have thoroughly washed your face you can use a hot rag to steam and open pores to shed oil. Wipe your face gently and apply the hot rag evenly. Rinse your face with cold water to shrink the pores.

7. 
   Decorative Case

   If you feel that you have more oil production than most you can dab your face during the day with paper towels or tissues. Don't rub your face as you can push dirt and bacteria into pores. I use wipes that I make up myself using warm water and antibacterial soap. I use 2 tablespoons of soap mixed with hot water and I add it to a zip lock bag with my neatly folded paper towels. I let the paper towels soak up the mixture and then I squeeze the bag to let the excess moisture escape. You can carry these wipes in a decorative baby wipe case.

Tips & Warnings

• Change your pillowcase often as this can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Remember to wash your hands often.
• Make a pact with yourself not to touch your face.
• Wash your face after you work out.
• If you must exfoliate your skin mix 1 teaspoon table sugar with your soap.
• Wear makeup that allows your skin to breathe.
• Don't use an astringent on your face. If you remove the oil your body will only make more to put it back.
• Make sure you are hydrated or your sebaceous gland will work over time at producing oil!

Resources

• More information on Acne

[xxdesertash]

on 2/22/2009 Nice tips and clear instructions! Thanks so much from all of us that don't have perfect skin!!

[eliptica]

on 2/21/2009 Thanks for the tips. My husband will appreciate them.

[LissaK]

on 2/13/2009 I hate how I seem to get random acne out of nowhere. The most recent one is dead center of my cheek, big and proud. :( . Thanks to your tips I can prevent it's cousins.

[luv2laugh]

on 2/6/2009 very thorough article - thanks!

[wordstock]

on 2/6/2009 Very good information.