A trip to a certified skincare specialist or dermatologist can help you find out your skin type. A professional will recommend medication and topical creams only if acne is severe and the breakout is uncontrollable. Otherwise, they will give you very mild creams, lotions, and tips to prevent and treat acne without medication. If you are prone to acne, follow these tips. However, visit a doctor if it becomes painful or if they are infected and causing pain. These tips can be helpful for all ages and types of acne:

Stop overdoing exfoliation
In an attempt to remove acne, people tend to exfoliate with a zillion products available in the market. If one doesn’t help, then you buy the next one. Sometimes this cycle becomes tough to break. Too much and frequent use of exfoliating creams and face masks can cause your healthy skin to break out even more. It can also lead to irritation, swelling, and redness. Do not exfoliate more than twice a week.

Use clean towels only
Do not use used towels to wipe your face. Even if they are dry, they could host millions of bacteria that can increase acne or infect your skin. Always wash your towels in hot water and add a disinfectant to make sure that they are clean. The same rule applies to pillowcases; change them twice a week.

Avoid wearing makeup during exercise
If you are getting ready for a brisk walk or engaging in a session of Pilates or cardio in the gym or at home, you are going to sweat. Makeup will cover the sweat pores and prevent you from perspiring. The pores will be clogged and the accumulated make up combined with dried sweat is a very common cause for acne breakouts. After a workout, always wash your face with cool water and pat your face dry instead of rubbing it with a towel.

Do not touch the acne
If acne is taking too much of your time and you are constantly thinking about it, you develop the tendency to touch your face often. If you have come in contact with dirty or unclean surfaces at school, work, or outdoors, you might transfer the bacteria to the face and cause a potential breakout or infection. Remember, this is a temporary phase and do not be too conscious or preoccupied with acne.

Herbal teas
Replace at least one or two of your milky, creamy coffee/tea beverages with herbal teas like spearmint tea. This is beneficial, particularly, for people whose acne is caused due to hormonal issues.

Sanitize your gadgets
Phones, headphones, sunglasses, and remote controls are breeding grounds for bacteria. Use an alcohol wipe or a sanitizer to clean the gadgets you use frequently or every day. Your phones are too close to your face and could be triggering your acne breakout.

Drink plenty of water, follow a balanced diet, and more importantly, keep telling yourself that acne does not define you so that it does not bother you more than necessary.