Pimples happen to the best of us, and many people don't know how to handle them. Whether you're looking for a quick fix or want to learn how to prevent acne and future breakouts from occurring, this article will help guide you through the process!
The first thing we should talk about is what causes acne in the first place: bacteria on your skin. There are many ways that bacteria can get onto your skin and lead to an infection that leaves behind red bumps and other painful symptoms.
However, there are also steps that you can take right now which will reduce how often this happens in the future. In this post, we'll discuss 35 tips for managing pimples so they don't have as much of an impact on your life.
What Is Acne? Why Do We Get It?
Acne is a skin condition in which the pores in the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Acne can be found on many parts of the body, but most commonly appears on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders.
Acne most often develops in puberty, when the sebaceous glands produce more sebum. This increased production of oil is triggered by androgens (male hormones such as testosterone), which also cause the hair follicles to grow more quickly and make them susceptible to plugging with oil and dead skin cells.
The main types of acne are blackheads (small bumps), whiteheads (small bumps with pus), papules (large red bumps), pustules (large red bumps with pus), nodules (painful large lumps under the surface of your skin), and cysts (very painful large lumps under the surface of your skin).
What Causes Acne?
Generally, acne is a skin condition that can result from a variety of factors, including genetics, hormones, and diet.
Besides, acne is also caused when too much oil or sebum (a natural oil our bodies produce) builds up in our pores. When this happens over time without being washed away by sweat or other fluids, it can lead to acne breakouts.
This then leads to an overgrowth of bacteria on the skin's surface.
The most common cause of acne is hormonal changes in the body that happen during puberty or menstruation. Other possible causes include:
- Stress
- Diet
- Allergies
- Increasing age
- Excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands associated with adolescence
- Underlying hormonal changes
- Genetic predisposition or family history
- Underlying medical conditions such as obesity or insulin resistance
- Cosmetics
- Irritation from clothing
- Dirt
What’s the Difference Between Acne and Pimples?
Acne and pimples are frequently getting confused by many people. FYI, acne is viewed as a skin condition while pimples are a symptom of it. The word "acne" refers to an illness that affects the skin's hair follicles and glands.
In short, pimples are the result of clogged pores, while acne is the result of inflammation.
Pimples are more likely to be blackheads or whiteheads, while acne can come in many forms, including papules, pustules, and cysts. Pimples are generally smaller than acne lesions and more superficial. Acne lesions can cause scarring if left untreated.
Plus, pimples generally appear on the face and body where there is an abundance of oil-producing glands (sebaceous glands). Acne appears just about anywhere but most often occur on the face, chest, and back because these areas have larger sebaceous glands than on other parts of the body.
The Best Ways to Prevent Acne from Occurring in The Future
Acne has affected many people and still is. It can cause embarrassment, and anxiety and can lead to self-esteem issues. Acne is not only a cosmetic issue, but it is also an emotional issue for some individuals.
There are many ways to prevent acne from occurring in the future.
These include:
1. Washing your face twice a day with warm water and soap
Washing your face twice a day with warm water and soap is the best way to prevent acne. This is because washing with warm water allows you to remove dirt, oils, and dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. It also helps in maintaining a healthy pH balance in the skin.
When you wash your face, you're removing bacteria and oil from your skin. This will help keep your pores clear and reduce the risk of breakouts.
In addition to washing your face, you should also use a gentle cleanser that is designed for acne-prone skin. This will help to remove any excess oil or dirt that may be clogging your pores.
Best acne soaps that work for all skin types, especially sensitive
It’s important that you use soap while washing your face as it helps remove any excess oil or dirt that might be left behind by just using water alone.
Be sure to rinse your face thoroughly after washing, and avoid scrubbing your skin too hard. This can actually make acne worse. If you have a very dirty face, you may want to consider using a few drops of tea tree oil in your water before washing.
Tea tree oil has been used for hundreds of years as an acne treatment.
2. Using an oil-free moisturizer after washing your face
Using an oil-free moisturizer after washing your face is the best way to prevent acne. Many people don't realize that even though they're cleaning their skin, it may still be dry and flaky if they're not using a moisturizer. Even oily skin types need a little bit of hydration, and a good moisturizer will help your skin stay healthy.
Look for a moisturizer that is labeled as "oil-free" or "non-comedogenic." This means that it will not clog your pores and will not cause acne. Be sure to apply moisturizer to your entire face, including your chin and forehead.
Be sure to choose a product you can afford! Moisturizers are generally inexpensive, but some brands charge very high prices for the exact same ingredients as their competitors. Check out customer reviews before making a purchase so you don't waste money on something that doesn't work.
There are many different types of oil-free moisturizers on the market, so it can be difficult to find one that will work for you.
Here is a list of some of the best ones:
3. Avoid touching your face, keep your hands away from your face
It's important for you to limit how often you touch your face if you want to prevent acne from forming in the future! If you touch it even once every hour, oils and dirt can get trapped under your fingernails which can then increase the amount of acne that forms over time.
Make sure that you're washing your hands with soap and water before touching your face if it feels necessary!
When you touch your face, you're transferring bacteria and oils from your hands to your face. This will clog your pores and cause acne, so it's important to keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.
You should not touch your nose, mouth, or eyes every single time with your hands. We recommend you use a tissue if you want to wipe off any itchy feeling or any dirt that you might have on your face.
4. Avoid dairy products
One of the biggest causes of acne is a hormone imbalance in the body, which can result from eating certain types of food. When insulin levels are high, the body produces an excess amount of a hormone called testosterone.
Testosterone can stimulate oil glands that produce sebum, which is a thick yellowish substance that helps hair and skin stay hydrated.
However, too much sebum can clog up pores and cause whiteheads and blackheads to form on the surface of the skin – this may lead to pimples over time if not treated.
5. Wear sunscreen when you go outside
When you go outside, it's important to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. Sunscreen can help prevent sunburns, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. It can also help reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Be sure to choose a sunscreen that is labeled as "broad spectrum." This means that it will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB radiation. UVA radiation can cause skin cancer and early signs of aging, while UVB radiation can cause sunburn.
Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This will provide you with optimal protection from the sun's rays.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you sweat or go swimming. If you use a moisturizer with sunscreen, be sure to apply the sunscreen first and let it fully soak in before applying your moisturizer.
6. Use an exfoliating scrub once per week
In order to prevent acne from occurring in the future, it is important to exfoliate your face once a week. An exfoliating scrub will clean the dirt and dead skin cells from your pores.
After using an exfoliating scrub, your pores will be free of any dirt that could have been clogging up the opening of the pore and causing acne.
Exfoliation products come in many forms, including scrubs, masks, and pads that are used with water or one's favorite face cleanser. But today, we want to focus on the exfoliating scrubs' side.
We have some great exfoliating scrubs for you.
The best exfoliating scrubs to treat your pimples:
If you want to get it physically and near your area, you can order it from any drugstore or pharmacy, but there are natural alternatives such as oatmeal and brown sugar.
It’s important to avoid scarring by not scrubbing too hard and rinsing off the residue after rubbing in an exfoliant. Lastly, certain food products like coffee and chocolate should be avoided since they can cause breakouts.
7. Eat less junk food or processed foods
Many people find that they have a hard time controlling their acne because of the junk food and processed foods they eat. The prevalence of acne is increasing due to the changing diets in recent years.
Junk foods and processed foods can cause a change in hormones, which can throw a person's skin out of balance. So, this is why eating healthy snacks will help you and help you maintain a healthy diet and less acne!
8. Quit smoking cigarettes
There are many reasons why quitting smoking is a good idea. Nicotine is often the culprit in raising stress levels which contribute to acne breakouts, but the nicotine found in cigarettes also worsens acne by increasing sebum production, clogging pores, and increasing oil production.
Smoking also increases inflammation in the body which triggers acne breakouts even more. For technical explanation, cigarette tobacco contains an alkaloid called nicotinic acid.
This chemical is absorbed through the skin and causes your pores to open up by relaxing facial muscles. Nicotine then enters the bloodstream, which dilutes the oil that would ordinarily flow off of your skin.
Over time, this can lead to the clogging of pores and clogs in hair follicles. This in turn blocks sebum from flowing freely from glands, resulting in acne breakouts.
9. Limit alcohol consumption
More and more teenagers are reporting that their acne has worsened as a result of consuming alcohol. Acne can be caused by many different things such as genes, oily skin, and stress levels, but the consumption of alcohol also seems to cause flare-ups in teenagers.
Acne is not just an inconvenience for teenagers; it can lead to depression and low self-esteem. The best thing to do is stop drinking, or only drink a little bit every time you drink.
10. Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that can help fight acne. A diet rich in these types of foods is an excellent way to ward off pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Some examples of fruits and vegetables include:
- blueberries
- leafy greens like spinach
- carrots
- broccoli
- apples
- bananas
- cucumbers
- oranges
- tomatoes
If you are craving something sweet or salty to eat with your fruit or vegetable snack you can enjoy dried fruit (dates) or a handful of popcorn.
11. Change your pillowcase regularly and wash your pillowcases once every week
Acne can result from a dirty pillowcase, as it can trap oils and dirt that end up on your skin during the night. Changing your pillowcase frequently will reduce the build-up of these harmful substances and keep acne at bay.
Washing your pillowcases every week will also help to keep them fresh, protecting you from bacteria that can cause redness or acne.
We highly recommend you wash your pillowcases at least once per week or more often if required. When you sleep, oil and dead skin cells will accumulate on your pillowcase over time.
Make sure that you are also washing all of your bedding every week to keep the acne away!
12. Don’t be a pimple popper
I'm sure that you've heard of the idea that if you pop a zit, it will just come back with a vengeance. While the biggest factor in acne is genetics, popping pimples can actually cause more acne to form.
This is because when you pop a pimple, skin cells are disturbed and bacteria can be released. The bacteria spread even farther than you would think so this can lead to increased inflammation and breakouts.
13. Use a humidifier in the winter months to prevent dehydration
It is common for people to experience acne in the winter. This can be due to dry skin that is left unprotected when temperatures drop. The best way to prevent this is to keep your face moisturized.
You can do this by using a humidifier in your home during the winter months. It will prevent dry, cracked skin and make your skin feel less tight and itchy!
14. Get enough sleep
Not getting enough sleep can really mess up your skin! When you're tired or stressed out, your body produces more cortisol which encourages oil production in the skin's pores.
This often leads to breakouts around the hairline, forehead, face, and neck area... If this sounds like you, make sure that you are getting at least 8 of sleep per night so that these types of problems don't become exacerbated.
If you need to, try setting an alarm for 10 minutes earlier than usual so you can relax a little before going to bed. When you're well-rested, your body is in a better position to fight off acne and your skin will look great after this!
15. Drink enough water
If you want to prevent acne, it's important to drink enough water every day. If your body is dehydrated, your skin can become dry and irritated – this will increase the appearance of breakouts over time if not treated properly.
Make sure that you're drinking at least eight glasses of water per day; this should be more than enough to keep your skin hydrated and healthy!
16. Don't squeeze spots if they start bleeding or causing pain
If you struggle with acne on a regular basis, it's important to learn how to properly care for your skin. You should never squeeze spots that start bleeding or causing pain!
This can cause bacteria to spread over your face and increase the chances of forming more pimples in the future.
Be sure that you're washing your hands before touching any spots or blemishes, as this can reduce the risk of spreading additional bacteria on your face.
If possible, use natural creams to help dry out acne-prone areas rather than picking at them repeatedly.
17. Limit makeup
While it's important for you to wear sunscreen if your skin is prone to breakouts, it's also important for you to avoid wearing heavy makeup or foundation on a daily basis.
If you have sensitive skin, heavy makeup may cause irritation that can lead to the formation of pimples over time if not treated properly.
Make sure that you're applying sunscreen before exposing your face to the sun! It should be enough to protect your skin without causing other problems in the long term.
You should also try limiting how much makeup you apply every day so that your breakouts are under control as much as possible.
18. Use water-based, oil-free makeup
If you're looking for a way to prevent acne, it's important to use water-based, oil-free makeup. Heavier makeup can cause your skin to become irritated and more prone to breakouts in the future if not treated properly.
Make sure that you're using a light foundation or powder if you have to wear makeup on a daily basis. You should also avoid using a blush that is shimmery, as this can also lead to more breakouts over time.
The best oil-free foundations that won't clog your pores:
19. Try witch hazel for treating existing pimples
If you already have a pimple or a group of breakouts, it's important for you to treat them as quickly as possible. One way you can do this is by using witch hazel on the affected area.
Make sure that you're applying witch hazel twice per day – once in the morning and again at night before going to bed – so that your acne starts disappearing as soon as possible!
20. Use natural remedies like green tea
Some people may find that drinking green tea can help balance their hormones and make them less likely to develop acne in the future.
Green tea contains antioxidants that can keep your body healthy; it also helps prevent free radicals from forming inside your body, which can cause damage over time if not treated properly.
If you have a free tea bag, use it to moisten a cotton ball so that you can apply it directly to the affected areas. You should also try using any other green tea product if your skin is prone to breakouts so that they don't return in the future.
21. Clean your phone regularly
One surprising cause of acne is touching your face too frequently with dirty hands or fingers. This means that one way to prevent acne from developing in the future is by cleaning your cell phone on a regular basis.
Make sure that you sanitize your phone regularly – once per day, twice per week, or even more often if needed – before putting it against your face again!
In addition, make sure that you're washing your hands frequently if you touch your phone often.
22. Limit stress (if you notice your acne is caused by stress)
If you're experiencing a lot of stress in your life, it's important to limit your exposure to this type of negative energy. If you do not find a way to manage the stress you're experiencing, it can begin to impact other areas of your life and cause skin problems like acne and blackheads.
As an alternative, consider using meditation to clear out any negative emotions from your mind on a daily basis. It should be enough to reduce the number of stress chemicals being produced so that acne doesn't form in the future.
You should also consider talking with friends or family members about any issues you may have been having with stress.
23. Use organic coconut oil for your skin
If you want to prevent acne from occurring, it's important for you to treat your skin properly in the future. One way to do this is by using organic coconut oil every day before going to bed.
You may also find that applying a small amount of oil right before showering helps keep your skin hydrated and healthy when combined with water!
24. Get rid of old makeup and other skincare products
It's not enough to simply stop wearing certain types of makeup if you want to prevent breakouts from occurring later on in life – it's important for you to get rid of any remaining makeup or skincare products that have been sitting around in your makeup cabinet or bathroom for months or years.
Make sure that you're throwing out any old makeup products every six months to avoid breakouts in the future. This includes not only your foundation and color corrector but also eyeliner and mascara as well!
25. Wash your makeup brushes and sponges
Makeup brushes and sponges shouldn't be used for longer than a month at a time. If you want to avoid acne from forming over your face, it's important to make sure that you're washing any makeup tools after each use.
This can reduce the number of bacteria being applied directly on your skin each day, which will result in a reduction in breakouts triggered by outside sources.
Be sure that you're cleaning these tools every single day if possible! This is a good way to ensure that pimples don't form on your skin because of leftover makeup build-up sticking to your face throughout the day.
26. Eat a balanced diet
When your body doesn't receive the right nutrients every day, it can cause problems like acne to appear on your face or neck over time.
Consuming healthy foods is known to reduce the chances of excess oil forming on the surface of your skin, which means there's no reason why you shouldn't consider eating more fruits and vegetables each week!
These foods are rich in vitamins that can benefit your body as well as prevent breakouts from appearing in the future.
27. Don't ignore your hair
If you have oily hair, it's important to wash your hair every day. Hair products like gel and mousse will often cause the hair to become even oilier than normal, which can then lead to increased acne on your forehead or breakouts over time on your face.
You'll also want to avoid using too many styling products on your hair each day; these may increase the amount of oil produced by the skin on your scalp, which may then react with other substances in a way that causes acne breakouts.
Make sure that you're washing your hair every day if it becomes oily very quickly. The best oil-free hair products are often good for preventing breakouts over time!
28. Keep your hair away from your face
It's important for you to keep your hair away from your face because, in addition to getting rid of breakouts, it makes it much easier for you to moisturize and prepare your skin when necessary!
This means that you should either tie up your hair in a bun or wear any headbands to prevent your hair from touching your face.
29. Avoid foods with a high level of acidity
Some foods naturally contain a high level of acidity, which, over time, can cause irritation inside your body that leads to pimples forming on your skin.
If you want to prevent breakouts from occurring in the future, be more aware of what kinds of food you're eating each day!
Make sure that you avoid eating too many acidic food products like lemons or oranges if you struggle with acne on a regular basis. Try to eat more fruits and vegetables, as they'll help balance your body's pH levels and make it less likely for pimples to form over time!
30. Steaming your face
If you want to prevent acne from occurring in the future, it may be a good idea for you to pay closer attention to how you treat your skin each day.
For some people, steaming their faces can be an effective way of opening up pores and removing dirt that isn't immediately visible at the surface of the skin.
Make sure that you're avoiding harsh cleansers or scrubbing too hard when washing your face! These creams or exfoliants could irritate your skin over time if not properly, leading to more breakouts.
31. Use topical ointments
It may be a good idea for you to apply topical ointment or creams directly onto areas of your skin that are prone to breakouts in the future.
There are many different kinds of topical ointments on the market, so make sure that you're choosing one that's specially formulated for acne-prone skin if you want to prevent more breakouts from occurring!
32. Apply tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is known for helping reduce redness on your face that can cause pimples or irritation over time, which makes it easier for them to form into full-blown acne spots.
Make sure that you're applying this natural essence before bed each night if you want to prevent pimples from forming in the future!
33. Limit sun exposure
Sun exposure is known to dry out the skin, which can in turn cause breakouts. If you spend too much time in the sun every day, your face may become excessively oily and this can cause pimples or acne to form over time if not treated correctly.
Make sure that you're protecting your skin every time you go outside! Wear sunglasses and a hat when possible to avoid excessive sun exposure, and always use sunscreen when outdoors for extended periods of time.
It should be enough to protect your skin without causing other problems in the long term.
34. Avoid tanning beds (even if they claim their bulbs are "clean")
Tanning beds aren't known for being beneficial for your health in any way, which means there's no reason why you should be exposing yourself to this type of danger.
Tanning booths might make you feel like you'll look better temporarily, but the majority of people who use them will experience more breakouts as a result in the long term.
Be sure that you're avoiding tanning booths at all costs, even if they claim to be "clean." You should always practice safer sun exposure methods like wearing sunscreen and sunglasses whenever possible.
Your skin will thank you for it later on in life!
35. Make an appointment with a dermatologist
If you're having a difficult time managing your acne on your own, it may be a good idea to see a dermatologist. They will be able to provide you with more information about the best way to treat your acne and manage breakouts in the future.
In addition, a dermatologist may prescribe you stronger medications that can help you to prevent breakouts from occurring in the future. Remember – always take your medication as your doctor instructs you. If you stop using it, your acne will likely return!
