What can I do to prevent acne from happening in the first place?

Although you may not be able to completely prevent acne, there are steps you can take to improve your skin.

  1. Gently wash your face twice a day with a gentle, PH-balanced cleanser (Cetaphil, Dove bar, Cerave, or Obagi) and warm water.
  2. Use your hands instead of a towel or other objects that can damage the skin. Removing dirt and excess oil can lessen the chance of skin peeling, drying, and cracking.
  3. Rubbing the skin harshly can damage the pores and make acne worse.
  4. Avoid any oil-based skin products or makeup that can clog pores.
  5. Always use hair products, lotions, or cosmetics that are "non-comedogenic" as they are designed not to clog your follicles and glands.
  6. Moisturize your skin if topical acne medications are drying out your skin.

Remember that a healthy diet, exercise, good sleep, stress, and hormonal changes are things that also affect the state of your skin.