How to Reduce Acne

Acne results from a number of reasons. In young people acne is often the result of hormones building up in the body. Acne can also occur in adults for a number of reasons. Fortunately there are a number of ways to help reduce acne. While these are not always foolproof, it may help to try a few different approaches to see if one works for you.

• Use a gentle cleanser on your skin. Sometimes acne breakouts occur because an individual has sensitive skin. Some cleansers are very abrasive, and the irritation caused by using harsh soaps or chemicals may cause the skin to break out. Try using a soap for sensitive skin and see if over time that doesn’t help clear up the acne on your skin.
• Wash skin regularly. Keeping your face or other affected area clean may help reduce acne. Acne can result from clogged pores. This may be from dirt, excess oil, sweat and other factors. Make sure you clean the affected area as much as possible to keep acne from forming. Washing once or twice a day is sometimes necessary. When washing be sure to use warm water and an appropriate cleaning agent.
• Try an acne product. Many over-the-counter products are available containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which can be quite effective in combatting acne. Try one of these (not both at the same time) to see which may work for you. Not all acne requires the use of a prescription product. You may need to adjust how much product you use before seeing results.
• Avoid using excessive makeup. Wearing too much makeup, particularly those with an oily finish, may lead to breakouts. In the summer, heat can cause sweating which can contribute to further breakouts.
• Avoid touching your face. Touching your face can spread the germs and dirt that cause acne.