Acne Prevention Secrets

Knowing that acne can come after you at any age means everyone should be reading this acne prevention article and putting these tips to use.  However, teens and preteens will gain the most benefit out of this information.

Although it's impossible to guarantee that by following these steps you'll never have to deal with another zit again, it is safe to say that taking proper care of your health and skin will dramatically lower your chances of suffering through severe acne.  These tips may lessen the number of blemishes you have to deal with, and help them to heal faster.

Here are some everyday acne prevention tips to keep your skin and clear and smooth as possible;

• Use a gentle natural soap, such as Dr. Bronner's castile soap.  Most cleansers on the market are full of preservatives and fragrances.  This might seem like advice you could easily skip, but I highly recommend you try it.  It made a big difference in the health of my skin. 
• Wash your sheets and pillowcase every week.  Hygiene does play a big role in healthy skin.
• If you want to wear makeup, don't buy the junk from the drugstore.  I would also stay away from department store makeup counters for things like foundation, concealer and powder.  These formulas contain too much pore clogging oil, tons of unpronounceable ingredients, and irritating dyes.  I recommend mineral makeup that DOES NOT contain bismuth oxychloride (since it's just a cheap filler that damages skin).  Without this heavy element, mineral makeup does not need to be buffed into the skin.
• Although this tip might be a little difficult to follow through with, I think it's one of the most important.  Avoid excess sugar, white breads, pasta, potatoes and white rice.  These simple carbohydrates raise androgen levels (which is a male hormone), causing your skin to produce lots of excess oil. 
• Also avoid trans fat like the plague.  Check the nutritional label of all foods that you eat.  If it says hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil anywhere on the ingredient list – do not eat it!
• Drink 8 – 10 glasses of water each and every day.  If models do it to keep their skin pretty, then so should you.  The reason they do this is because it actually works.
• Balance your skin's moisture levels.  Wash your face only at night and just rinse in the morning.  After washing, you may use an astringent such as witch hazel or apple cider vinegar.  After using an astringent or washing, always moisturize your skin with either emu oil, jojoba oil, or a natural moisturizer.  You may be surprised to know that leaving or putting a little natural oil on your face will help to keep your oil levels in check and your skin will be less shiny.  The reason for this is because dried out skin will produce excess oil to overcompensate for that dryness.  Balancing your skin's moisture is vital.
• Use a bentonite or pascalite clay mask at least once a month.  This is great for shrinking existing zits, drawing out toxins and trapped oils, and also for removing blackheads.
• Spot treat any pimples that do crop up with pure aloe.  It's great for shrinking small to medium sized pimples.
• Don't touch your face throughout the day, this helps bacteria and oil to spread.
• Clean your phone's handset and the front of your cell phone regularly with an alcohol pad.  Oils and bacteria stay there and touch your skin with each use.
• If you're acne prone, keep your hair off your face.  Pin back your bangs and push the hair off your cheeks.  Many acne sufferers try to hide behind their hair, even though it's doing more damage than good.  Remember that you're not the only one who has this problem, so don't be too ashamed about something you can't really help.
• Take a multi-vitamin.  This is especially important when you know you're not eating all the nutrients that you should be.  Missing out on certain vitamins and minerals, such as chromium, vitamin A, vitamin E, B vitamins, etc. has a negative effect on the skin.  A simple once a day multi vitamin isn't the perfect solution, but it's easy and will be a little helpful.  We all know, however, that it's best to get your nutrients from fresh foods on a daily basis.
• Exercise at least four times a week.  You might think exercise doesn't have much to do with your skin's appearance, but you couldn't be more wrong.  Exercising increases circulation, which means the nutrients and oxygen in your body will go where they're supposed to.  It also helps your body to eliminate toxins through lymph nodes.  Another benefit from exercising is that your body will look good too!
• For the same reason as exercise, try to massage or dry brush your skin.  Gently rub your face when applying moisturizer, dry brush your body before showering, or have your significant other give you a relaxing massage.  Not only does it feel good, but you'll be helping your skin too.

Acne prevention happens everyday, throughout the day.  Following these skin care tips should become a routine for you.  These are some very simple steps to follow and they actually work.  Try it and you'll see for yourself.