As the title goes, prevention is better than a cure. In all aspects of medical science, prevention is better than a cure, and it is the same for acne. There are simple steps that should be taken to ensure the prevention of acne. If you are already afflicted with acne, your goal is to stop it in its tracks from spreading further. People usually think that washing their face twice each day with a facial soap is enough, however that is not the case as everyone learns from it the hard way.
There are several key factors which decides whether you are preventing acne OR actually helping it to colonize on your face unknowingly to you.
1. Diet Trouble
Your diet is one of the biggest factors that dictates the presence of acne. Cut down on or totally eliminate sugar, refined carbohydrates (flour, white rice, spaghetti, pizza, cookies, chocolate, sweets, cakes etc), caffeine (opt for milk or teas instead), vinegar, MSG, bananas and pineapples (known to little, many people have acute skin sensitivity to bananas and pineapples), iodine (found in seafood), hydrogenated oils (eg vegetable oils, this is one of the biggest killers), lard, and alcohol.
Water is also very important. It is like a miracle drug. Majority of people are not taking in enough water everyday. As you know, water keeps the skin healthy and radiant. Your body lose a lot of water through perspiration, exhalation, and bowel movements so replacing them with an adequate supply of water daily is of utmost important. There has been a lot of debate in the correct amount of water consumption. Since a long time ago, everyone have been taught 8 glasses of water/day and in recent times, claims of having one drink enough to not be thirsty is good enough. I recommend drinking about 1.5 to 2 litres/day is enough already. Drinking too much makes your kidneys work harder too.
2. Long Hair
Long hair can cause or further cause trouble during an acne eruption. Everyone’s hair holds a lot of oils. It also picks up a lot of debris and filth from the surrounding dust and your sweat etc. Then the hair repeatedly slides against the face and in the process leaving all the dirt and unnecessary oil on the face. You should cut your hair short (short is just as stylish) to prevent this. If you do not want to, tie up your hair neatly (You are probably a girl) so that it doesn’t touch your face. Make sure your hair styling products do not get onto your face as well.
3. Cosmerceutical Trouble
Another key factor lies in cosmetics. Make sure your cosmetics are not causing any allergic reactions on your skin if you are sensitive to certain products and whether your cosmetics are oil-based. Never use oil-based products. This applies to your make-up (such as foundation, concealer etc), your moisturiser, your sunscreen and anything else that you put on your face. A make-up with a H2O base is a good deal better.
4. Supplementation
Some people include supplementation of Vitamin A and/or Zinc in their regimen in preventing acne. Although not compulsory, it does help in your efforts. Vitamin A functions in maintaining skin health and is recommended to take about 900¼g/day. Don’t take anything higher than that as Vitamin A is best known for its toxicity which causes a lot of serious problems.
Zinc helps in preventing premature aging of the skin and is an antioxidant. Men should take at least 11mg/day and women 8mg/day. As with Vitamin A, do not overdose.
5. Tight Clothing
Try not to wear clothing that are too tight as they will cause you to perspire easier. Perspiration blocks up your pores and has oil and other impurities along with it. If you are a sports person, get a bath as soon as possible after you end your activities. You should give priority to washing your face first IMMEDIATELY after finishing your activities even if it is without bathing (you still smell though).