Acne is not just a concern for teenagers—many adults get acne too. No matter what your age, breakouts can be embarrassing.

If there was one surefire way to get rid of acne altogether, most of us would do it. However, the best way to prevent pimples is to eat well, keep your face clean, and practice an overall healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips for preventing acne without resorting to expensive medication.

1. Clean Your Face

The oils and dirt on your face can clog pores, increasing the occurrence of acne. Make sure to wash your face in the morning and before bed—any more and you may end up irritating the skin. Wash gently with a mild facial cleanser, using your hands or a face cloth. Scrubbing can also irritate the skin. Look for cleansers that say “noncomedogenic”, which means that they are gentler on your skin.

Never, ever sleep with makeup on.

2. Lower Your Stress

Stress-caused breakouts are quite common. Okay, so you may not have the ability to quit your job or give away your kids, but there are other ways that you can work to reduce your stress. Exercise is one of the best ways to cope with a stressful life, because it releases endorphins—the happy chemicals in your brain. Working out also helps to regulate your hormone levels and therefore can help clear up your acne.

3. Moisturize

If you battle an oily face on a regular basis, then applying moisturizer may sound counterproductive. However, no matter what type of skin one has, everyone should apply moisturizer daily. It’s especially important if you’re using a topical acne product, because these dry out your skin. If it’s hot out and applying moisturizer is the last thing you want to do with your sweaty skin, simply stand in front of a fan to dry the moisturizer more quickly.

4. Eat More Omega-3s

Omega-3s are the good fatty acids found in foods like fish, soy, walnuts, and beans. According to WebMD, “Omega-3s have been shown to control the production of leukotriene B4, a molecule that can increase sebum and cause inflammatory acne.” So pop an omega-3 supplement every day or add more of these foods rich in omega-3s into your diet.

5. Get Rid of Germs

Dirt and grime can accumulate in a number of places that we don’t even think about. For one, the oils from your face and your hair products get all over your pillow when you’re sleeping. If you’re struggling with acne, make sure to wash your pillowcase every day.

Your cell phone also carries a lot of germs, since you spend a lot of the time touching the screen. That grime on your fingers then transfers to your face when you make a phone call. Wipe down the phone’s screen with a little bit of hand sanitizer every day to help prevent breakouts.

Along that same line, make sure to avoid touching your face altogether without washing your hands first. Your hands come in contact with all sorts of bacteria throughout the day, which encourages acne.

6. Deep Cleanse

Every once in a while you should treat your face to a deep cleanse to really clear your pores of the oils that cause breakouts.

If you would like a professional acne treatment, contact Richard Francis Spa. We offer a clinical peel and DermaSound Elite™ treatments for acne. One of our professional therapists will be able to determine which is best for your skin type, so book an appointment today!