Top 10 Tips to Say Goodbye to Acne Forever

Sometimes acne is simply a result of bad habits we’ve acquired over time.  If there is no hormonal cause for acne, by changing a few habits you can eliminate acne forever.  Here are 10 tips to help you:
1. Don’t Touch


Even if you wash your hands all the time with antibacterial soap, there’s going to be bacteria on your hands and under your nails which could inflame and irritate pimples on your face. Keep your hands off your face at all times. If you have a habit of touching your face at night when you’re in bed, try wearing soft moisturizing gloves to bed.

2. Drink More Water


While the 8 glass per day rule may not really be valid anymore since most medical professionals agree that how much water you drink really depends on how active you are, making sure you drink plenty of water each day can help get rid of acne by keeping the layers of your skin healthy. Drinking plenty of water also makes it easier for skin cells to shed, which is often beneficial in cases of acne caused by clogged pores.

3. Wash Regularly, But Not Too Much


Washing your face and keeping your skin clean can help you get rid of acne, but you don’t want to wash so much that you strip your skin’s natural oils. Wash your face twice per day and use acne medications only as directed by the manufacturer or your doctor.

4. Get More Rest
Sleep will not only help you perform better at work or school and improve your mood, but it can also help to clear up acne in some cases. If you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system may be more susceptible to bacteria that can cause acne and make it harder for your skin to repair itself and shed dead skin cells that cause clogged pores. Most people need about 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night, though teenagers may need 8 to 9 to feel rested.

5. Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Doctors, dermatologists and the general public used to believe that oily, fatty foods caused acne. While we know that isn’t the case anymore, we do know that what you eat affects your overall health, which affects how healthy your skin is. Eating a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat may be able to help you eliminate acne from your life when paired with a proper skin care routine.

6. Buy the Right Makeup
Makeup is one of the biggest culprits of skin problems for many women, and some women may not even realize that the reason they have acne or regular pimples is because they have an allergy to something in a makeup product that they use regularly like foundation. Choose oil-free and non-comedogenic makeup products – these have been tested in laboratories by dermatologists to make sure they aren’t likely to cause breakouts and irritation.

7. Get Plenty of Exercise


You probably already know that regular exercise – about 25 to 30 minutes per day – is good for your body and mental function, but you may not realize that it’s helpful when it comes to getting rid of acne too. Exercising regularly helps restore normal hormone function, which can decrease how much oil your skin produces. Try to exercise in the morning or evening so you can wash after exercise without drying out your skin from washing more than twice per day. Actually washing face after exercise isn't that necessary. It's far more important to wash your face before you exercise, according to renowned dermatologist Dr. Schultz.

8. Use Skin Whitening Products
Skin whitening products like topical skin whitening creams and gels can be used in combination with acne treatments to help reduce the visibility of acne spots while you’re getting rid of them. Not only are skin whitening products good for making pimples less visibly by reducing redness, they can also help to get rid of acne scars once the pimples go away. Topical skin whitening creams can often be used every day and are generally effective within a short period of time.

9. Limit Stress


Stress is unavoidable in most people’s lives, but if you can limit stress by avoiding stressful situations, you may see a major improvement in your acne. Stress increases oil production which can lead to breakouts, so do whatever you can to limit your exposure to stressful situations.

10. Don’t Drink That Third Cup of Coffee


In moderation, coffee can help you wake up in the morning and be more productive throughout the day. However, too much caffeine can increase stress hormones and inflammation that can make acne worse. If you absolutely must drink a lot of coffee, you’ll need to drink plenty of water along with it to make sure your skin stays hydrated and reduce inflammation.

Marcela De Vivo is  a writer based in Los Angeles. She works for Healthy Hair Plus and writes on healthy hair, skin care, and beauty tips.