Nothing can ruin a good day like a bad breakout. Pimples can spring up overnight, seemingly out of nowhere, leaving you with unsightly, embarrassing blemishes. But rather than dealing with the red, raw aftermath, here are a few simple tips you can follow to help stop acne before it starts.

Wash your face daily to avoid acne breakouts

To keep your skin free of impurities and debris, use a mild cleanser once a day. Avoid harsh soaps or coarse washcloths; instead, clean your face gently with your fingertips or a soft cloth.

Moisturize only if necessary for clear pores

If you’re using a strong acne product, like benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid, your skin will be prone to drying out. In this case, you’ll want to keep your skin hydrated with a non-comedogenic (formulated not to block pores) moisturizer.  Otherwise, just use a moisturizing sunscreen.

Try over-the-counter treatments for pimples

There are a lot of acne products available without a prescription, and some of them work to stop pimples before they form. To see results, though, it’s important to follow the directions carefully, and give the medications time to work.

Avoid makeup for clear skin

When you’re dealing with a breakout, you may be tempted to cover it up. But using cosmetics like foundation, blush, and concealer can aggravate your acne. If you can’t go without a little cover up, though, make sure you choose a non-comedogenic product and always wash it off at the end of the day with a gentle makeup removal product

Use hair products with care to avoid acne

Gel, mousse, pomade, and hairspray may help your hair look good, but they can also clog pores and cause breakouts – especially on the forehead and hairline. Opt for a product-free hairstyle, and if you’ve got long hair, keep it tied back and away from your face.  If you do use hair products, apply them carefully to keep them off of your forehead.

Keep your hands off your face to prevent a pimple breakout

Touching your face can spread acne-causing bacteria and irritate sensitive skin, making bad breakouts even worse. Don’t pick at your blemishes, and never, ever pop your pimples.

Sunbathe in moderation to help relieve acne symptoms

While too much sun exposure can be dangerous for your skin, there’s some evidence that UV light can actually help relieve acne symptoms. A few hours at the beach might be good for you; just make sure you don’t overdo it.

Eat healthy foods

No matter what you’ve heard, junk food doesn’t cause breakouts, so don’t worry that what you’re eating is making your acne worse. It’s still important to eat a healthy balanced diet for other reasons, though, so be sure to include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet, and limit sugary foods.

Exercise regularly to keep your skin healthy

Staying physically fit is important for the wellbeing of your whole body – including your skin. Wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid irritation, and if you sweat a lot, make sure you rinse thoroughly with water and change into dry clothes as soon as you can.

Release your anxiety to get rid of pimples

Worrying about your pimples won’t help clear them up. In fact, stress has been found to increase the severity of breakouts. Remember: most people grow out of their acne, but if over-the-counter treatments aren’t clearing up your pimples, an experienced dermatologist can help.

CDCRI can help clear up your acne breakouts with research studies

At the California Dermatology and Clinical Research Institute, we’re committed to finding and using the best available acne treatments. We offer a number of different options to clear acne pimples, including clinical research trials, which will give you access to the latest medications before they’re available to the general public.

Call us today at (760) 990-1965, and say goodbye to breakouts.