How can I prevent acne breakouts?

First, one should start by staying in good health, and maintaining proper diet, exercise, and adequate vitamin and mineral supplementation. In addition, acne prevention involves following a skin care regimen that consists of cleansing the skin properly and avoiding the use of unnecessary products on the face.

One of the best methods for prevention of acne is to have regular superficial cosmetic peels, such as salicylic acid peels. Often, dermatologists forget to employ this strategy, or they succumb to their own time constraints, but such peels can be very helpful in the prevention of acne.

Salicylic acid (SA) is a beta-hydroxy peel that is self-neutralizing and promotes exfoliation of the outer layers of skin. These “lunch time peels,” as they are called, remove just the very top layer of skin. They provide a very refreshing look. The SA peel is likely the best peel for treatment of acne, as it will clear clogged pores and exfoliate oily areas of the face. It will sometimes help fade superficial age spots and areas of pigmentation. This cosmetic procedure is an especially good adjunct to an overall acne prevention and treatment program supervised by a dermatologist.

If you have acne-prone skin, limit the use of products designed for acneic skin.
Sounds weird, right? A skin care line geared towards acne is designed to fight bacteria and dry out breakouts. For someone whose skin is covered in severe acne (like a teenager) this is appropriate. But for most people who get some breakouts (but not on the majority of their face), acne products can make it worse. These products are extremely drying, and although they will help dry up and heal the individual breakouts, they will over-dry other non-broken out areas resulting in dead skin cell buildup. The cell buildup will then act as a barrier to trap oil under the skin, causing more clogged pores and breakouts. So your effort to clear up your skin will actually cause you to break out more!

The three most important elements for controlling clogged pores and breakouts are:

• Exfoliation (this will keep off dry skin cells to untrap clogged pores and also help fade those red, post-breakout marks)
• Disinfecting (it is important to eliminate bacteria to help prevent the spread of breakout as well as drying up infection)
• Hydration (water-based moisture to keep cells healthy to discourage dry skin cell buildup).

Don't try to scrub away acne.
Wash cloths, buff puffs and aggressive scrubbing tend to aggravate the problem by allowing bacteria deeper into the skin, which will cause further irritation. Many apricot and almond based facial scrubs have sharp edges which can lacerate the skin, causing bacteria to spread. Instead use a gentle scrub with perfectly round grains which roll across the skin.

Clean your cosmetics brushes once a week.
Bacteria and oil can buildup on your cosmetic brushes, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Using a mild liquid dish soap and cold water, carefully wash out your brushes and rinse thoroughly. Comb the bristles to prevent tangling. Stand brushes upright in a glass to let dry. Cosmetic sponges should be washed with mild soap and rinsed thoroughly after each use.

Always remove your make-up before going to bed; use the Meridian Acne Therapy System if you have acne or troubled skin. Removing your make-up before you go to sleep is an important step if you want to have good skin. Make-up left on your skin can clog your pores and lead to acne breakouts.

The Meridian System can make it simple by keeping acne at bay by using the system after removing your make-up with Step 1-the cleanser. Step 2 is the toner which keeps the bacteria away and Step 3 the moisturizer, completely moisturizes the skin and does not cause any dryness while healing the acne.

The best way to get rid of acne is to prevent it from coming. That is why if you have a problem with recurrent adult-onset acne, you need to see a board-certified dermatologist and get on a regular acne treatment program.

It is much better to prevent a breakout than to panic and try to treat breakouts that tend to occur at the most unwanted times.

There are several simple steps that anyone can follow to keep skin clear and evenly toned.

1. First, use moisturizers and sunscreens. Moisturize frequently and use sunscreen whenever outside. Sunscreens must have both UVA and UVB protection incorporated in the products. Make it even easier by using a moisturizer with SPF included.
2. Second, be sure to get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.

Never fall asleep with your makeup on! I know too many women who do this.

Unfortunately, a lot of the mineral makeup companies are promoting the idea that their products are so natural you can even sleep in them. Don't listen to this. Your skin needs to be clean and able to breath and rest while you do.