by Janet Gordenson

A lot of people think that acne is caused by dirt. Well, it's not true. Acne problems are caused by your skin's renewal system and your hormonal system. It is also believed that acne is a reaction to the hormone testosterone.

There are many options when it comes to managing and preventing acne.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 1 - Don't use alcohol. If you are going to use a skin toner, use one that does not have high concentrations of rubbing alcohol also called isopropyl alcohol. These strong astringents tend to strip the top layer of your skin off which cause your sebaceous glands to produce extra oil. As a result, you will may end up with dry, red skin and the possibility of increased blemishes.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 2 - Avoid aggressive scrubs. If you wish to scale off layers of skin use a mild formula with tiny grains. Try to avoid products that have almond or apricot shell fragments in them as they can irritate or damage skin and aggravate your acne.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 3 - Remember, acne is not caused by dirt, so there is no necessity to over-wash. Scrubbing and washing your face will not make the acne go away and will just tend to dry out healthy skin and irritate acne-prone areas. Over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production resulting in more breakouts. Limit your face washing to two or three times per day.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 4 - Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins in your body. This is a good advice even if you don't suffer from acne. Try drinking four to six large glasses of water per day.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 5 - Don't squeeze or pick affected areas. This may force bacteria deeper into the skin causing greater infection which will inflame your skin. By doing this you can also damage the surrounding tissue and leave an acne scar.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 6 - Quit smoking. Studies conducted by researchers have proven that smoking may exacerbate your acne.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 7 - Don't touch your face. Touching your face, can drive Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria that causes breakouts) into your pores.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 8 - Wash off after you exercise. Exercise creates heat and moisture which can be trapped against your skin. This will create an ideal breeding ground for the spreading of bacteria.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 9 - At the same time don't forget to exercise. Exercise will reduce stress and increase oxygen to the skin. This may contribute to alleviating some acne symptoms.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 10 - Eat a healthy diet. Your skin, like your body, will benefit from a healthy diet rich with fruits, vegetables and grains.

Remember, acne can be controlled and prevented. There are things that you can do to reduce the severity and duration of acne. Decide on a good plan and stick with it.

About the Author:

Janet Gordenson writes regularly on health and fitness subjects. Go to Acne Solutions at the Optimum Health Center and find out how to receive a two month supply of Acnezine, an all-natural, scientifically formulated product that cures acne from the inside out. Click here to get your own unique version of this article.