Some strategies you can use to reduce pimples include moisturizing, hydrating, and refraining from popping pimples, among others.
While there’s no way to rid your skin of acne forever, you can reduce your breakouts and help keep your skin as healthy as possible.
Read on for 14 strategies to prevent pimples and be on your way to clearer skin.
You should wash your face no more than twice a day.
“When we strip our skin of its natural sebum with excess washing, it actually causes the skin to produce even more oil in order to rebalance your skin,” says board certified dermatologist Anar Mikailove, MD. “Thus, washing your face excessively can indeed make acne worse, as does using cleansers or astringents that dry out the skin too much.”
Mikailove suggests using cleansers that are sulfate-free, fragrance-free, and gentle enough for twice-daily use.
How 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.
- Pat dry.
Knowing your skin type can help you determine which products to use and avoid:
- Dry.
- Oily.
- Combination. You have both dry areas and oily areas. The oily area is usually the T-zone, or your forehead, nose, and chin.
Mikailove says that people with oily skin are more prone to acne in general, but anyone can get pimples. Having your skin type information on hand can make it easier to choose an acne regimen that helps your skin clear up.
According to Mikailove, if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, too many products with active ingredients — like a salicylic acid wash, a salicylic acid exfoliating toner, and a retinol cream — might damage your skin barrier and lead to more breakouts.
“If your skin is on the oilier side, using a moisturizer formulated for dry skin may be too occlusive and lead to clogged pores,” Mikailove says.
Moisturizers help skin stay hydrated, which is especially important for acne-prone skin. Acne products like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and isotretinoin can dry out your skin. If your skin gets too dry, it will produce oil (sebum) to counterbalance the dryness.
As noted above, an excess of sebum can cause pimples.
However, many moisturizers contain oil, synthetic fragrance, or other ingredients that may irritate your skin and cause pimples. Be sure to check the ingredient list before purchasing a moisturizer to make sure it’s fragrance-free and noncomedogenic.
Here’s what to know about the most common active ingredients you’ll find in OTC acne treatments:
- Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide works best on inflammatory acne, like papules and pustules, because it kills acne-causing bacteria.
- Salicylic acid. This ingredient is ideal for blackheads and whiteheads.
If you’re not sure which OTC acne treatment might work best for your skin or your specific skin goals, it may be worth consulting a dermatologist. They can provide professional product recommendations and advice on potential medication interactions.
If you’re dehydrated, your body may signal your skin’s oil glands to produce more oil.
To keep your body well-hydrated, aim to drink at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
Makeup may trigger outbreaks.
If you don’t want to remove makeup from your daily routine, opt for a foundation or concealer that’s noncomedogenic and fragrance-free.
Be sure to gently wash any makeup off at the end of your day, especially before going to bed, and wash your makeup brushes at least once per week.
It’s tough to avoid touching your face, but try to pay attention to how often you touch your face and stop yourself from doing so as much as possible. Touching your face can transfer bacteria onto your skin.
Wash your hands regularly. That way, if you do touch your face, your hands are clean.
Frequent sun exposure can
Wearing sunscreen can help protect your skin year-round. Opt for a sunscreen that is:
- noncomedogenic
- oil-free
- broad spectrum, 30 SPF
While it may be tempting to, popping pimples can lead to:
- inflammation and clogging surrounding pores
- spreading bacteria, leading to infection
- scarring
Tea tree essential oil contains a compound called terpinene-4-ol, which has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It may be effective for decreasing papules and pustules.
Essential oils, including tea tree oil, should be diluted in a carrier oil before putting on the skin; otherwise, severe reactions can occur.
To use tea tree oil for pimples, apply a drop or two of the diluted tea tree oil mixture only to the affected area.
Before trying tea tree oilBefore applying tea tree oil to your face, perform a patch test to ensure it doesn’t irritate your skin.
To patch test:
- Apply a few drops behind your ear or under your jaw.
- Wait several hours to a day.
- If irritation occurs, dilute the oil with water, in a 1-to-1 ratio, before you use it.
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products.
If OTC acne treatments don’t make much difference, a dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics to help reduce inflammation and bacteria on your skin.
Antibiotics, which come in both topical and oral forms, work by reducing the amount of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria on your skin, which can help ease breakouts.
Your dermatologist might recommend:
- topical antibiotics like clindamycin (Cleocin) for mild acne
- oral antibiotics like doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx) for severe acne
- using benzoyl peroxide gel along with your prescribed treatment
Over the long term, your body can become resistant to antibiotics, which makes these drugs less effective. It’s essential to follow the regimen your dermatologist outlines so you can get the most out of your prescribed treatment.
Be sure to mention any other medications you’re taking to avoid any harmful interactions.
High dairy and carb intake may contribute to acne. Reducing your intake of these foods may help ease your breakouts.
Before beginning any new type of diet, it’s best to talk with your doctor to ensure that you’re still consuming the right amount of calories and nutrients for your body’s needs.
Stress doesn’t cause pimples, but it may make them worse. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), your body produces more oil-stimulating hormones when you’re stressed.
Some options to help manage stress include:
Most people get pimples now and then. Prevention efforts can help, but they aren’t guaranteed. Many factors can cause pimples, including hormones, stress, genetics, and diet.
That said, you do have plenty of options for treating and managing pimples. Whatever pimple prevention plan you choose, patience and consistency are key to improvement.