Preventing acne is a tricky business indeed. It would be nice if there was simply a magic little pill that would keep you from ever getting another zit. Sadly, there is no such thing currently available. The truth is, some of the contributing factors of acne are things that you simply cannot do anything about. So, before we get into preventing acne, let’s make sure we are on the same page about the acne causing factors that cannot be controlled.
Genetics
Your genes are your genes and there’s nothing you can do about it. There’s no trading them in for a new set. Whatever your parents gave you is what you’re stuck with and if one of your parents had acne then you are likely to have it as well. If both of your parents struggled with acne then your chances of getting acne are even higher.
Hormones
During the teenage years, the hormones are doing crazy things. It’s unfortunate that these hormonal changes wreak havoc on the skin, but the changes are an important and necessary part of human development. Puberty happens to everyone and there is really nothing that you can do about it. Hormone imbalances can also be caused by menstrual cycles and going on or off birth control. You can even get a hormone imbalance from too much stress in your life. Your stress level and birth control are things you can control, but the natural hormone imbalance that happens during the teenage years is something that just has to pass with time. By the early 20s, the hormones start to find their balance again.
Even though genetics and hormones are out of your control, there are things you can do to minimize the severity and frequency of outbreaks or prevent them all together.
Skin Care
To prevent acne breakouts, you must keep your skin clean and you must do it the right way. A good start is to wash your face thoroughly twice a day. Use a mild soap and then pat your face dry with a clean cloth. Scrub gently while cleaning. Hard scrubbing can actually encourage breakouts.
Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet can also help prevent acne. This is not to say that acne is caused by eating junk food, because it isn’t. The point here is that a healthy diet helps promote healthy skin and proper body function. To give your body what it needs to have healthy skin, make sure you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. Water is also important to the health of your skin.
