Is it possible to be pretty with acne

In a study that focused specifically on face washing, participants were asked to wash their face one, two, or four times a day for a six-week period. At the end of the study, there was a significant improvement in the acne lesions of those who washed their face twice a day.

The participants who only washed their face once a day had the greatest increase in pimples. The aisles at most drugstores are packed with all sorts of facial cleansers. Trying to figure out which one is right for you can be overwhelming. The studies included everything from cleansing bars and antibacterial soaps to cleansers that contained alpha and beta hydroxy acids. A mild cleanser without a lot of ingredients and fragrances can work just as well as more expensive options.

The key to finding the most effective one for you is knowing what type of acne you have. If you want to simultaneously target different types of acne, the AAD recommends using a combination of benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin , or adapalene gel. Using these treatments together may dry out your skin, so be sure to use a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.

How does a moisturizer help keep your skin clear? Well, if your skin is excessively dry, it may try to compensate for the dryness by overproducing oil.

The result? Some people find they have to switch to heavier moisturizers during the winter months when cold, dry air can leave skin feeling tight and dried out. Exfoliation can help remove excess dead skin cells. If these cells stay on your skin for too long, they can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.

Having a buildup of dead cells on your face may also make your skin look dull, flaky, or prematurely aged. For chemical exfoliants, like masks or lotions , aim for once or twice a week. For physical exfoliants, like scrubs or brushes, aim for three or four times a week.

Start with fewer exfoliating sessions and work your way up to prevent over-exfoliating. If you have inflammatory acne pustules and cysts , the AAD recommends that you talk to your dermatologist first, as some types of exfoliation may make inflammatory acne worse.

These compounds could cause the skin to break out or worsen acne. To stay healthy both on the inside and out, aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. Limit your face washing no more than twice daily. It's okay to gently cleanse your face with water and mild soap in the day and evening. Doing it more often, can harm your appearance by irritating the skin and cause new outbreaks, the website Acne. You will look prettier and have more luck controlling your pimples if you don't over-cleanse.

Buy makeup that does not promote acne. Products that don't cause pimples are usually labeled as water-based, oil-free or noncomedogenic, NIH explains. Use these cosmetics to enhance your appearance and mask pimples without causing new outbreaks. Style your hair in a flattering way to draw attention away from your face. Don't let strands hang against your facial skin, as oily or greasy cosmetic and hair products could irritate your pimples, according to MedlinePlus.

Tie your hair back with colorful accessories that complement your outfit. Many over-the-counter lotions and creams containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are available to help prevent acne and clear it up at the same time. You can experiment with these to see which helps. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly — don't use more than you're supposed to at one time your skin may get too dried out and feel and look worse and follow any label directions about allergy testing.

Some people do find that they notice their breakouts get more severe when they eat too much of a certain food. If you're one of them, it's worth trying to cut back on that food to see what happens. Sometimes even though they wash properly and try lotions and oil-free makeup, people get acne anyway — and this is totally normal. In fact, some girls who normally have a handle on their acne may find that it comes out a few days before they get their period.

This is called premenstrual acne, and about 7 out of 10 women get it from changes in hormones in the body. Some teens who have acne can get help from a doctor or dermatologist a doctor who specializes in skin problems. A doctor may treat the acne with prescription medicines. Depending on the person's acne, this might mean using prescription creams that prevent pimples from forming, taking antibiotics to kill the bacteria that help create pimples, or if the acne is severe, taking stronger medicines such as isotretinoin, or even having minor surgery.

Some girls find that birth control pills help to clear up their acne. If you look in the mirror and see a pimple, don't touch it, squeeze it , or pick at it.

This might be hard to do — it can be pretty tempting to try to get rid of a pimple. But when you play around with pimples, you can cause even more inflammation by popping them or opening them up. Plus, the oil from your hands can't help! More important, though, picking at pimples can leave tiny, permanent scars on your face. Reviewed by: Patrice Hyde, MD.