Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Q: How do you prevent zits?

Q: How do you prevent zits?

Hi @780Cohen,

Thanks for writing.

We wish acne could be boxed and stored in the attic with our high school yearbooks, but everything from stress at work to eating junk food to not washing your pillowcase often enough can cause a teenage-style breakout. (Did you know about these five hidden acne causes?) First, you might try to identify the cause of the acne so you can figure out the best way to tackle it. 

In general, face acne can be treated by washing your skin daily to remove oil and keep your pores unclogged. Start by using a gentle daily cleanser like the Daily Micofoliant from Dermalogica. If you have extra oily skin, its rice-based powder formula will help fight shine on your face throughout the day. Or, a wash with a mild salicylic acid, such as Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash, that gently dries the troubled areas without going nuclear on them. Remember that scrubbing too hard or overusing strong cleansers can actually spur oil production and make your skin even worse. 

For specific spots, our favorite treatments include Sonya Dakar's drying potion and Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion. Both formulas are mild but effective, so you won't have to combat peeling skin from harsh chemicals used in many other acne treatments. 

Finally,  don't forget that even acne-prone skin still needs a moisturizer--preferably one with at least S PF 15. We recommend a light, oil-free formula, such as the Neutrogena Men Triple Protect Face Lotion. 

No matter what products you use, just remember to maintain a proper daily grooming routine. Cleanse and moisturize at the very least to maintain healthy looking skin.

Hope this helps!

--The Men's Health Style Team 

Follow us @MensHealthStyle for more answers to your grooming questions.

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