Acne sufferers know how tough it may be to heal their skin over a long period of time. Although treating existing pimples is important, you can also take steps to prevent new ones from forming, which may help break the seemingly endless cycle of breakouts.

While acne cannot be totally eliminated from your skin, there are actions you can do to reduce the intensity of your breakouts and maintain a healthy complexion. So how to prevent acne?

It is important to cleanse one’s face completely

Acne may appear everywhere on the body, although it most often appears on the face. Despite the intricacy of the skin’s microbiome, scientists have found that a kind of bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes is responsible for certain occurrences of acne. Sebum, a naturally occurring oil on the skin, is converted by this bacteria into fatty acids. This causes irritation. Acne may be exacerbated if you wash your face too much, eliminating too much oil, dirt, and sweat can help avoid breakouts. Washing your face more than twice a day should be avoided at all costs.

Find out whether you have oily or dry skin.

Finding out what kind of skin you have will help you figure out what products you should use and which ones you should avoid. If you’re still unsure about your skin type, see a dermatologist: Use the following criteria to establish your skin type:

Dry

Your skin is often itchy, dry, and flaky.

Oily

Your skin has a propensity to seem shiny at the end of the day.

Combination

Certain parts of the body are dry, while others are oily. This area of the face, known as the T-zone or forehead, nose, and chin, tends to be the most oily.

Sensitive

Your skin is prone to unpleasant responses, such as rashes, discoloration, or irritation, when exposed to certain products. Having sensitive skin may be a side effect of any of the skin types discussed in this article.

Apply a moisturiser

Acne-prone skin will greatly benefit from moisturisers’ ability to keep the skin hydrated. If your skin is really dry, it will generate more oil (sebum) to compensate for the lack of moisture. In addition, acne may be caused by an overproduction of sebum, as was previously stated.

Take advantage of over-the-counter acne treatments

It is possible to treat and even prevent fresh outbreaks of acne by using acne medications that are available over the counter (OTC). The manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the product should always be followed to avoid irritation and dryness from using it too often.