Acne, also known as pimples, can come up at any time in life, whether at adolescence or when you least expect it in your seventies.
More so, there is no one size fits all, as everyone has different skin situations, different skin types and lifestyles. So, it can be quite hard to advise on what to do and what not to do to prevent and get rid of acne.
However, there are several things that you can do to get rid of pimples and ensure that your skin stays smoother for longer. Even better, we have compiled a list of 25 proven ways to prevent and get rid of pimples.
But first, there are several things that you need to be privy to better understand the problem that you are dealing with and the best ways to get rid of pimples.
What is acne/pimples?
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles and pores of the skin are blocked with oil and dead skin cells. This condition can present itself in any gender and across all ages.
Acne usually causes whiteheads, blackheads and pimples and is usually found on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
This condition is most prevalent in young adults and teenagers but can also present itself in adults, including those who are 40 years old or older.
Additionally, acne is more common in North American white people, but African-Americans have the highest cases of ‘pomade acne’, due to the use of hair creams and hair oils, according to Medscape.
The most interesting part is that people with darker skin are at a higher risk of suffering from post-acne hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is a condition where some parts of your skin are darker than others. So, in those with darker skin, the part of their skin that has healed from their acne tends to get darker than the rest of their skin. This is less prevalent in those with lighter skin.
What causes acne/pimples?
What causes acne? Well, one thing that can cause acne is excess oil and bacteria in the areas where acne erupts. Hormonal changes, including those caused by menstruation and pregnancy, cause excess oil which can eventually cause acne.
Acne also runs in families, so if one or both of your parents has acne, then there is a very high chance that you will eventually have it as well.
Diet, stress, and certain medication including corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium can worsen your acne according to Mayo Clinic.
How to prevent and/or get rid of your acne (pimples)
Now that you have the information that you need moving forward, here is some more useful information: how to get rid of pimples and even prevent them.
Below, you will find a comprehensive list, and we are sure that when you dedicate your time to incorporate these practices into your routine, your acne will disappear.
1. Wash your face every single day
What are you doing trying to get rid of acne if you are not ensuring that your face is always clean? One of the easiest ways of ensuring that your face is always clean is to wash your face every day.
The best practice is to wash your face once in the morning and once at night. Of course, you must be careful not to overdo it so that you don’t strip your face of the important oils that are needed to keep your skin healthy.
2. Use the right cleanser for your face
Pay attention to the skin on your face as well as its needs. If your face is oily, then pick a facial cleanser that ensures that your face produces less oils thus causing fewer cases of acne.
Another thing to take note of is to be careful of the things that you put on your face. One of the common causes of acne is a reaction to ingredients in skincare products. Be very careful about what you use and ensure that you are not making things worse.
3. Don’t over-exfoliate your skin
Exfoliation is a wonderful thing to do as it strips away dead cells on your face, leaving only the healthy skin cells. However, when you overdo it, it can seriously damage your skin barrier.
Exfoliation should only be done three times a week or even less. When done too much, over-exfoliation can cause irritation, redness and inflammation. Worse, it can open your pimple and cause scarring.
4. Use dedicated towels for your face
No matter how much you scrub your face or clean it dedicatedly, your towel will come away with some dirt on it. Imagine using the same towel that you use to scrub your body for your face as well?
Now, think of all the buildup that forms when you use the same towel for your face and body over several days. This is why you should have dedicated towels for your face that you switch out very frequently.
5. Moisturise your face
If you are worried that moisturising your face often will make your face even more oily and cause more acne, then you should know that this is not the case.
If you don’t moisturize your face, then your skin will become dry and dehydrated and overproduce oil, which will, in turn, cause more acne. Instead of avoiding moisturizers altogether, look for a lightweight one that won’t clog your pores.
6. Ensure that you use sunscreen that does not clog your pores
Sunscreen is a must-have as it protects your skin from sun damage and protects your skin barrier. However, not every kind of sunscreen is for everyone.
If you have acne, you can get rid of it by letting your skin breathe. Use only sunscreens that will not clog your pores and cause more breakouts.
7. Wash your face immediately after working out
To prevent acne breakouts, you must ensure that your pores are clear and that your face is free of excess oil. During workouts, you will sweat a lot, clogging your pores with dirt that you want to remove immediately.
If you have body acne, then it goes without saying that you need to take a bath as soon as possible. Sweaty workout clothes don’t mix well with acne and body rash.
8. Don’t use makeup while doing exercise
This is a given but in case you did not already know, the combination of makeup and sweat is incredibly bad for your skin, especially when you are trying to prevent acne.
When makeup is on your skin, sweat will not properly exit your pores which can cause them to become clogged. If you have makeup on your face, take a few minutes to wash your face before you begin your workout.
9. Be careful about what you eat
Ever heard the saying, “you are what you eat?” Well, that saying is absolutely true as foods that are high in insulin can cause a breakout.
To prevent acne, you should stay away from food that is high in insulin, including sugary drinks, processed foods and baked foods, white rice, bread, and pasta.
Take more vegetables and leave dairy products out of your diet as this will trigger acne.
10. Drink a lot of water
Drinking lots of water is not going to magically clear your skin, yes, but at least it will not contribute to your skin problems like soda and caffeine will.
The quicker you start to wean yourself off of soda and drinks that are harmful to your skin, the better your skin will be able to fight against breakouts before they take over your face.
11. Change your pillowcases frequently
You should change your pillowcases at least two times a week to avoid bacteria transference. Even if you wash your face before you sleep, you cannot control the secretion of bacteria that will build up overnight.
If you really want to ensure that you don’t get one single pimple ( at least not from your pillowcase), then ensure that you wash your pillowcase and bed sheets at least three times a week.
12. Ensure that your phone screen is clean
Think of how many times you touch your phone, especially with dirty hands, and then compare that with how many times your phone touches your face.
The germs from your phone can easily transfer to your face and then cause you to have breakouts. To avoid this, ensure that you clean your phone frequently or just place your phone on speakerphone all the time.
13. Clean your headphones or stick to AirPods
A huge number of people still use headphones for several reasons. Maybe you are a video editor and you need something with better sound or you just prefer them.
Well, using dirty headphones can cause you to have breakouts around your temple. To prevent this, ensure that you clean your headphones frequently. Where it is possible, use AirPods instead.
14. Stop touching your face
The basic advice that anyone can give you, both to prevent you from getting pimples and to heal it when you do have it, is to pretend that it is not there.
Don’t touch your face or your body unless it is absolutely necessary. Your hands are unclean and constantly touching your face can cause acne and spread them.
15. Use apple cider vinegar to get rid of pimples
Dilute small quantities of apple cider vinegar (ACV) in water and then use it to get rid of pimples. Follow the instructions below:
- Mix one part ACV and three parts of water (use more water if you have sensitive skin).
- After cleansing your face, gently apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton ball.
- Let sit for five to 20 seconds, rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat this process one to two times every day, as long as you need to.
16. If you must pop your pimples, do it the right way
The worst thing that you can do to your pimples is to pop your pimples as doing this will cause and can even scar your face, which is harder to get rid of than the actual acne.
If you must absolutely pop your pimple, then ensure that your hands are clean, use cotton buds and ensure that you apply an antibiotic ointment once you are through.
17. Don’t use toothpaste for your pimple
Many people somehow believe that toothpaste does work to clear your acne. Well, this is absolutely not true as it does the opposite. Toothpaste only makes the area dry and irritable.
Instead of trying these treatments that won’t work, use store-bought on the spot treatment or use tea tree oil as a replacement.
18. Use ice to get rid of your pimple
If you must do something about a pimple that just does not want to go away even after you have washed your face and used spot treatment, then ice might be your go-to solution.
Place a block of ice on the area for 20 to 30 seconds at a time. Do this a few days a day and your pimple should start to go down.
19. Get your stress levels under control
For many people, pimples are caused by increased stress levels. When you are spending the entire day stressing your body and your brain, you put more stress on your body and it is unable to care for you as it should.
Dermatologists advise that you take care of yourself by listening to music, watching a movie, reading a book, or just doing anything to relax.
20. Don’t forget to get a lot of sleep
A part of managing stress is ensuring that you are getting a lot of sleep regularly. Ensure that you get at least seven hours of sleep every day in order to keep your body in tip-top shape and keep your immunity high enough to prevent and get rid of pimples.
21. Rethink your hair care regimen
The funny thing is that your hair care regimen may be ruining your skin and causing you to get recurring acne. You should definitely rethink your hair care regimen if you practice all the good acne tips but you are still not seeing any changes.
Hair oils, dry shampoo and other hair care products can wreak havoc on your skin if you don’t properly wash off the products after using them.
One tip is to wash your hair separately from your body and don’t just wash your hair and your body when you are in the shower. If you must, rinse your hair thoroughly and then wrap it up in a towel.
22. Keep your headgear clean
If you wear headgear, whether it is a cap, or hijab or a hat all day, there will definitely be a buildup of sweat, makeup and bacteria on your skin, which can cause forehead and cheek acne.
Ensure that you give your skin a much-needed break from time to time and make sure you are only using clean products anywhere near your face.
23. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise promotes blood circulation. This increase in blood flow can help you to prevent and get rid of pimples.
Exercise also plays a huge role in regulating hormones, which you definitely need to pay attention to if you get hormonal acne. Adults are advised to do some exercise for at least thirty minutes three to five times a week.
24. Use Aloe Vera to moisturise your face
Aloe Vera contains Salicylic acid and Sulfur which are both essential when battling acne. Both products have been proven through research to help with acne prevention and treatment.
To use this to prevent or heal your pimples, all you need to do is to scrape the aloe vera juice out with a spoon and apply it topically to your skin like a moisturizer. You should apply it one to two times a day.
25. Speak to a doctor about medication for your acne
If all of the methods above fail, then you don’t need to despair because you can still see a doctor and speak to them about your acne problem.
Dermatologists are the best people who can take a look at your skin and help you craft the best skin routine to prevent and treat any acne you may have. If you can afford it, this is really the best option for pimple-free, healthy skin.
Conclusion
There are a lot of people who are struggling with acne. However, with a lot of care and attention, you can definitely get rid of your acne problem and even keep it away.
We would like to hear from you though. How do you manage, prevent and get rid of acne? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
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