03/06/2020
HOW TO PREVENT PIMPLES.
1. Properly wash your face
To help prevent pimples, itโs important to remove excess oil, dirt, and sweat daily. Washing your face more than twice a day may make acne worse, however.
Donโt wash your face with harsh cleansers that dry skin. Use an alcohol-free cleanser.
To wash your face:
Wet your face with warm, not hot, water.
Apply a mild cleanser in a gentle, circular motion using your fingers, not a washcloth.
Rinse thoroughly, and pat dry.
2. Know your skin type
Anyone can get pimples, no matter their skin type. Oily skin is the most pimple-prone. Itโs caused by your skinโs sebaceous glands producing too much oily sebum.
Another type of skin that may cause pimples is combination skin. Combination skin means you have both dry areas and oily areas. The oily areas tend to be your forehead, nose, and chin, also called your T-zone.
Knowing your skin type will help you choose the right skin care products. For example, if your skin is oily, choose noncomedogenic products that are formulated to not block pores.
3. Moisturize skin
Moisturizers help skin stay hydrated. But many moisturizers contain oil, synthetic fragrance, or other ingredients that may irritate skin and cause pimples.
To help prevent pimples, use fragrance-free, noncomedogenic moisturizers after you wash your face or when your skin feels dry.
4. Use over-the-counter acne treatments
Over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments may help zap pimples fast or prevent them in the first place. Most contain either benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur.
Use an OTC treatment to spot-treat pimples. Or use it as a maintenance regimen to control outbreaks. To help prevent side effects such as redness, irritation, and dryness, precisely follow the manufacturerโs usage instructions.
5. Stay hydrated
If youโre dehydrated, your body may signal your skinโs oil glands to produce more oil. Dehydration also gives your skin a dull appearance and promotes inflammation and redness.
To keep your body well-hydrated, drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Drink more after exercise, if youโre pregnant or breastfeeding, or you spend time in a hot, humid environment.
6. Limit makeup
Itโs tempting to use makeup to cover up pimples. However, doing so may clog pores and trigger outbreaks.
Go au naturel when you can. When you do wear makeup, avoid greasy, heavy foundation, and use products that are noncomedogenic, sheer, and fragrance-free.
Greasy or oily shampoos, body washes, shaving creams, and hair styling products may all cause pimples. To help prevent outbreaks, choose oil-free, noncomedogenic options.
7. Donโt touch your face
Your hands encounter grime and bacteria constantly throughout the day. And each time you touch your face, some of those pore-clogging impurities may get transferred to your skin.
By all means, if your nose itches, scratch it. But wash your hands regularly, and try to touch your face as little as possible.
8. Limit sun exposure
Catching some rays may dry out pimples in the short term, but it causes major problems in the long run. Frequent sun exposure dehydrates the skin, which over time causes it to produce more oil and block pores.
Itโs important to wear sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer. However, many sunscreens are oily. For both sun and pimple protection, wear a noncomedogenic, oil-free sunscreen.
9. Donโt be a pimple popper
As tempting as it may be to squeeze that larger-than-life whitehead on the tip of your nose, donโt. Popping pimples may cause bleeding, severe scarring, or infection. It may also increase inflammation and clog surrounding pores, making your pimple problem worse.
10. Try tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a popular folk remedy for pimples. According to the Mayo Clinic, it may โreduce the number of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.โ
To use tea tree oil for pimples, apply a couple drops to the inflamed area. You can also add a few drops to your daily cleanser or moisturizer.
Prior to using undiluted tea tree oil on your face, do a patch test to see if it irritates your skin. Apply a few drops behind your ear or to your forearm, and wait several hours. If irritation occurs, dilute the oil using a 50-50 ratio before using.
11. Use antibiotics
Antibiotics help reduce inflammation and bacteria on the skin.
Antibiotics are often prescribed. They may be applied topically to your skin or taken by mouth. Those taken by mouth are usually a last resort for people whose acne is severe or doesnโt respond to other treatments.
Long-term antibiotic use increases your risk of antibiotic resistance. If your healthcare professional recommends antibiotic therapy for pimples, make sure you talk to them about the risks and side effects.
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12. Apply French green clay
French green clay is an absorbent, mineral-rich clay with healing abilities. According to 2010 researchTrusted Source, French green clay has potent antibacterial properties. It helps draw out impurities, reduce inflammation, and absorb excess oil that may lead to pimples.
French green clay is available in a powder form you mix with water to make a face mask. You can also add other skin-soothing ingredients such as yogurt or honey.
13. Avoid certain foods
If your mother ever told you junk food caused pimples, she was on to something. According to a 2010 review, eating a high glycemic diet may cause acne.
High glycemic foods and beverages such as chips, baked goods made with white flour, and soft drinks spike blood sugar levels and are often less nutritious than low glycemic foods.
The study also found eating dairy may trigger pimples.
14. Reduce stress
Stress doesnโt cause pimples, but it may make them worse. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, research has shown that when youโre stressed, your body produces more oil-stimulating hormones.
Some options to help you manage stress are:
yoga
meditation
journaling
massage
aromatherapy
