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Tips for Preventing Acne

As soon as we become teenagers the battle against acne begins. However to fight a good fight, you have to know your enemy, so it's surprising that most teens don't know what they're up against.

Acne is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin. When puberty hits (typically during the early teen years) raging hormones cause the oil glands in your skin become over-stimulated. Some teens suffer from more severe acne because they're oil glands become more stimulated.

Unfortunately, there's no surefire defense against acne. However, there are several ways you can help to diminish breakouts.

Water and a cloth are your number one defense against acne - a natural face wash can't hurt either. Its true - washing your face and skin will remove any excess dirt and oil that might clog your pores.

You should always wash your face:

• When you wake up in the morning. As excess oil can build up on your face during sleep.
• Before you apply makeup - so any oil and dirt on your face doesn't clog your pores.
• After you've been to the gym or worked up a sweat in the heat- to remove oil and sweat.
• In muggy conditions wash your face regularly - or each time you feel oil accumulating on your skin.
• Wash your face and hands as soon as possible if you've been exposed to greasy foods - for example if you've just eaten French Fries or finished a shift at your fast-food job.
• After you remove your make up - to remove any dirt or oil you didn't get with make up remover.
• Before bedtime - Laying on oily skin while sleeping may irritate your skin causing pores to clog and acne to appear.

If you have an extreme skin type - for example very oily skin, acne-prone skin or severely dry skin - excess washing or washing with a rough exfoliating scrub can irritate the skin further and even cause acne scarring. Treat your skin with love by washing with a mild, natural face wash and a soft cloth.