10 Secret Tips To Prevent Acne And Redness

Ways to prevent acne are not always obvious, and sometimes the answer is hidden in plain sight. In this article, I am going to mention 10 secret tips to prevent acne and redness! Hopefully, these tips and tricks are a life-changing solution to all of your frustrating trial and error with redness and skin concerns. Nobody likes having acne, and getting rid of it can seem impossible! Check out these 10 secret tips.

1. Changing Pillow Case

Changing your pillowcases is the first step to prevent acne. I did not know this until a recent dermatology appointment, but once my doctor mentioned it, I was mad at myself for not trying it earlier. I would strongly suggest changing your pillowcase at least 1-2 times a week, if not more. If you are using the same pillowcase for more than one week straight, it is time to switch. I have already noticed a big improvement in my skin since I have done this, and it is really an easy change!

2. Cut Out Dairy

At my recent dermatologist visit, my doctor had brought this up, and I actually know people who have had success with this. I know completely eliminating dairy can be hard, but simple changes can improve. For most dairy products, there is a non-dairy substitution, like almond milk instead of cows milk, non-dairy coffee creamers, and even non-dairy yogurts. Even if you simply cut back on the amount of dairy you consume, this can have a positive impact on your skin. Both my esthetician and dermatologist told me that acne is usually caused by internal factors, like diet or stress. Our diet has a huge impact on our skin, especially if you are eating a lot of fried foods. Try this, it really can’t hurt!

3. Never Workout With Makeup

This tip may seem like a given, but one of the best ways to prevent acne is to be cautious of what is on your skin. A few coats of mascara won’t harm your skin, but if you plan on hitting the gym for 30 minutes, I would skip the foundation and powder. Wearing makeup on your skin is fine, but not to the gym. The sweat, dirt, and other oils that buildup on our skin when we workout (especially outside) can be really triggering to breakouts and acne. Definetly still get your workout in, and if you can, bring makeup remover in your gym back if you don’t have time to take it off. If you forget makeup remover, and you still have a full face of makeup, just go home right after the gym and shower. Some people even break out near their hairline from the sweat that builds up. Just use a mild cleanser immediately after and you won’t do harm to your skin!

4. Hands Off

This next tip can be easy to forget. When it comes to preventing acne, there are a bunch of secrets that can actually make a huge difference. Not touching your face, and keeping your hands away from your face can help to prevent redness and breakouts. Even if we frequently wash our hands, there is so much bacteria on our hands that transfer on to our faces when we touch it. If you are at school or work, this is especially true, think about how many people we come in contact with each day.

5. Non-Comedogenic

This word is just a fancy way of saying that it won’t clog your pores. Look for cleansers and moisturizers that are non-comedogenic, and preferably without any harsh fragrance. When it comes to your skincare routine, the simpler the better. Cleansers and moisturizers by Neutrogena, Aveeno, or CeraVe are just fine. My dermatologist told me that cleansers have a huge impact on our skin!

6. No Harsh Exfoliator

Who better to get all the best tips from than a dermatologist, right? At my recent appointment with her, my doctor had told me that when using a harsh exfoliator (anything with a gritty substance or texture) can actually break open the top layer of the skin and take longer for redness and acne to heal. Acne can be an uphill battle, but this is one way to prevent it. My doctor told me that instead, use a gentle cleanser with a facecloth and carefully scrub away any excess skin or oil, just as you would with an exfoliator.

7. SPF

One of the biggest tips to prevent acne is to use a daily moisturizer with SPF. My moisturizer is from Aveeno, and it comes with SPF 15. Most people who struggle with acne or redness also find that their skin is very sensitive, and that is why I recommend brands like Aveeno, sticking to natural ingredients. SPF works in a couple of different ways, obviously, by providing protection from the sun, but also by doing that, your redness has a greater chance of clearing. The sun usually makes redness or acne marks more noticeable, and by using a moisturizer with SPF, you’ll be protecting and preventing the sun from making your areas of concern more noticeable.

8. Keep Your Phone Clean

We all keep our phones close to us but think about how many germs are associated with that phone. We bring it to school, work, the gas station, our purse, and so on and so forth. That’s fine, but remember to Windex your phone or use an antibacterial wipe at least once a week. If you are driving in the car and no one is with you, maybe put your phone’s volume on speakerphone instead of holding it against your face. This way you are letting your skin breathe and preventing the bacteria that are on your phone from getting to your face.

9. Limit Liquid Foundation

When it comes to preventing acne, there are a number of different factors to consider. A lot of people turn to foundation to cover up their blemishes, which is fine, but it is important to remember that your skin needs a break once in a while. Sundays, for me, are usually homework days, so I don’t leave the house much. Sundays are a great day to not put makeup on my skin and trust me, you’ll see the results. There is nothing your skin wants more than to be bare, it’s the truth. If you are someone who loves makeup and needs something on your skin, (can’t say I blame you), consider healthier, lightweight alternatives or makeup that for sure won’t clog your pores. Neutrogena has a great selection for this, too.

10. Drink Up

Last but not least, drink water. Drinking water is probably the best thing you can do for your body, and flushing out your system can benefit you in so many ways. Some people break out as a result of dehydration, so drinking water can help. If your diet is not the best, drinking a lot of water can help decrease bloating and even out your diet. Too much greasy, fried, or sugary foods can definetly result in acne.

I hope everyone enjoyed this article, and while struggling with acne is hard, I hope this article gave you some helpful tips. Feel free to comment on which tip was your favorite, and thank you for reading!