- Wash twice a day and after sweating with a mild cleanser.
- Use fingertips to apply a mild, non-abrasive cleanser. Using washcloths or pads can irritate the skin and make acne look worse. Do not scrub your face.
- Be gentle with your skin. Do not use products containing alcohol. Do not use products that irritate your skin such as astringents, toners and exfoliants. This can make acne look worse.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Shampoo your hair regularly to reduce oil buildup.
- Let your skin heal naturally. Popping and picking acne makes it take longer to heal and increases the chance of scar formation.
- Keep your hands off your face. Touching your skin can cause acne flare-ups.
- Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. Tanning damages the skin. Also, there are some medications that make the skin more sensitive to UV light.
- Make sure all sunscreens and cosmetics are oil free – labeled as non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic.
- Shield your face when applying hair products.