Although acne is common, there are many ways you can avoid getting it. A variety of factors can contribute to acne or exacerbate existing infections, but on the other hand, there are a variety of treatments and prevention strategies to combat breakouts. The following paragraphs will provide you with the information that is necessary for you to control your acne.

Avoid spreading acne by not popping or forcing your pimples to drain. If you pop your pimples, you are spreading the very infection that causes the breakouts. This infection then spreads to other parts of your face causing more breakouts in more areas. Popping zits also can cause unnecessary redness, swelling and permanent scarring, so it’s best to leave them be and let them go away on their own or with acne medication.

Lots of people get acne when they are stressed. Stress causes the body to produce the hormone cortisol, which may trigger acne outbreaks. By engaging yourself in activities that you find relaxing (such as deep breathing or yoga), you can greatly decrease your chances of having an acne outbreak.

A great natural remedy for acne is witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent derived from Hamamelis virginiana plant, also known as the witch hazel shrub. When witch hazel is applied to the affected areas of the skin with a cotton ball after cleansing, it can reduce swelling and irritation caused by acne.

Try to avoid touching your face throughout the day. Many times we put our hands or fingers on our face without even thinking about it. Our hands have bacteria on them that we pick up from various surfaces. That bacteria then gets in to our pores and creates the pimples that make up acne.

To get rid of acne, it is important to eat as many vegetables, fruits and nuts as you can. Acne has been known to form because the body has deficiencies in certain minerals that these foods contain. Try making yourself smoothies with the fruit, snacking on the nuts and eating at least one salad a day.

If you have oily skin and are prone to frequent acne breakouts, choose a foundation that contains the acne treatment, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid will help dry out some of the oil on your skin that can lead to blemishes and breakouts. Be careful not to combine a salicylic acid foundation with a salicylic acid treatment, however, or you could over-dry your skin and that could lead to further issues.

As hard as it may be, do not touch your face with your hands unless you have washed them first. The bacteria and oils on your hands, rub onto your face and are often contributing factors toward common skin problems. You can carry around hand sanitizer and use that if you are on the go, rather than stopping somewhere to wash your hands.

Wear clothes that are suitable for the weather; also strive to wear clothing manufactured from natural materials. High humidity and extreme temperatures can trigger acne outbreaks in certain people, while man-made fibers can trap heat and sweat close to the skin aggravating existing acne. Physical complications from outside temperatures can really agitate your acne, but wearing clothing appropriate to the climate really helps reduce stress.

If you are noticing that you are experiencing more breakouts around your mouth than usual, you may want to reconsider using the tooth whitening products that you have been using. Some of them have been found to cause acne breakouts. Give them up for a while and see if the area around your mouth clears up.

If you’re a battling an acne breakout and need a quick fix, use toothpaste. You want to stay away from gels, but otherwise, this product can be a very effective home remedy for ridding you of your blemishes. Put it on the pimple in the evening and then wash it away when you wake up in the morning.

For those of you suffering from mild acne, you should try an over-the-counter acne product. These products are available to everyone and contain ingredients that target the bacteria on your face known to cause acne. Keep your initial doses low to make sure your skin is not sensitive to the product.

Using face-wash or an acne scrub can reduce the amount of dirt within your pores. Scrubbing out the dirt can prevent the development of blackheads and indirectly prevent your face from developing acne. Along with face wash, utilizing a clean, non-greasy towel to wipe your face is also advised, as it’s counter intuitive to wipe a clean face with a dirty towel.

Acne affects many people (especially teenagers) but it shouldn’t be seen as inevitable. If you use these tips, you will minimize acne. At times, it may just be the simple things that help to stop acne before it gets too bad.

Destroy Acne Before It Destroys You With Some Simple Tips was originally published on Spring