Many people wonder if there is anything they can do for preventing acne from occuring and breakouts from showing up. While there are many different factors that involve whether or not you may be able to prevent acne from happening, doing any of the below things certainly will not hurt you or your skin and will help you be a happier, healthier person – even if your skin isn’t cooperating.
There are many myths about what causes acne. Some believe it has a lot to do with not washing your face, eating greasy foods or chocolate, or even just bad luck of having somewhere important you need to go. A breakout however isn’t from any of these single factors – usually it has a lot to do with the oil glands in your skin, the pores becoming clogged and bacteria being built up on your skin. Hormones and genetics can also play a role with this, which for some makes avoiding pimples and zits a lot more difficult.
Nonetheless, if you want to prevent acne, here are some simple tips to help you that won’t cause any harm in trying:
1. Eat a Balanced Diet: A balanced, healthy diet consists of eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, and whole grains. The USDA has set out pretty easy to follow eating guidelines with the food pyramid – ideally you should eat 2-3 servings of fruit, 2-3 servings of vegetables, 3 servings of dairy, 3 servings of meat, and 6-10 servings of whole grains each day. Eating a balanced diet will help with your body regulating a healthy blood sugar level, which can help reduce stress and keep your hormones well balanced. There’s no harm in eating right – so even if it doesn’t help you get rid of acne for good, it will at least help you be healthy.
2. Wash Your Face Daily: Washing your face seems like an obvious thing to do, but it’s important your also wash your face the right way. If you do not rinse soap properly, or use a soap that your skin is sensitive to, it can cause pores to become blocked which then can cause a breakout to happen. You don’t want to wash your face too often, as this can lead to drying of your skin, which then leads to dead skin cells causing your pores to become clogged. If you work in a hot, sweaty, or greasy environment, or have been very physically active, you should always wash your face off after that also.
3. Keep Cosmetics to a Minimum: Many cosmetics that you may use to cover up your acne may actually be making it worse. If possible, go without them completely. If you must use them, choose ones that do not clog pores, often labeled as noncomedogenic. Hair products such as shampoo or styling gel can also cause trouble – make sure they stay away from your face and back if you are prone to getting pimples on your back.
4. Wash Your Hands: Our hands come into contact with millions of germs and particles of dirt each day. If you touch your face with your hands, you’ve just transferred that bacteria to your face. Try to touch your face as little as possible, and wash your hands regularly throughout the day, especially after handling food, eating, and activities where they may have been exposed to dirt or bacteria.
5. Don’t Pop Pimples: We know that when you do get a pimple on your face the urge to pop it is difficult to resist. However, when you do pop a pimple, the bacteria (pus) that was inside has now been spread to the surrounding skin, which can cause flare ups. This is often why some people will notice they have certain problem areas.
6. Wear Sunscreen: Sunscreen is vital when you are outside in the sunshine. While a tan might seem like it helps with hiding acne, it actually causes your body to produce sebum, which can actually make it potentially worse. Not to mention sunburn is never a fun thing to have! Choose one that will not clog pores, and remember afterward rinse your face off.
Doing these things may or may not help with preventing acne completely, but they can help make it much more easier to deal with or handle. If you have any concerns about your skin, be sure to speak with your physician or a dermatologist who can help you pinpoint exactly the causes of the your skin concerns and recommend the best treatment.
Do you have any tips on how to prevent acne? Share your thoughts in the comments below.