Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world: nearly 85% of people have it at some point in their lives, most often on their face, chest, or back. The problem is typically associated with puberty, but acne can strike at any point, whether the person is in their 20s or their 50s. Regardless of your age or the severity of your acne, however, you likely are willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of your blemishes. But did you know that a number of common things people do to help relieve their acne can actually help cause it? Read on to learn about the things you should stop doing to your skin to prevent and heal this prevalent skin problem.

Picking at Your Skin
Sometimes, popping a pimple can be an irresistible temptation. However, constantly picking and squeezing your skin can cause a number of problems, such as scarring. And even if you don’t pick per se, touching your skin can also spread the bacteria that causes breakouts. To help control your acne, keep your hands to yourself!

Too Much Scrubbing and Cleansing
If you have acne, it may seem natural to try out a variety of different acne treatment products. However, the best acne dermatologists will tell you that overworking your skin can be just as bad as never taking care of it at all. Over-cleansing, for example, can make your skin too dry, while constantly using abrasive scrubs and other products can irritate your acne. Both of these can actually make your breakouts worse. For this reason, it is often a good idea to talk about the best skin care regimen for you with an acne dermatologist to make sure you are using the right treatments in the right ways.

Letting Acne Get You Down
Acne typically runs in families, and while taking proper care of your skin can work wonders, the source is likely genetic. This means that your skin problems likely aren’t your fault. Don’t let your skin make you feel self-conscious, or let others’ comments about your acne bother you: this is only more likely to make you buy into fake miracle cures, or even try out the behaviors listed above. Instead, remember that acne is a common problem that usually has a solution. If you are having no luck relieving your acne, schedule an appointment with the best acne dermatologist in your area to find yours.

Acne is an irritating skin problem, but by taking the right steps and avoiding potentially damaging actions, it is a perfectly treatable one. Don’t waste your time on purported miracle cures or overworking your skin, as these actions can have disastrous consequences. Instead, visit the best acne dermatologist near you to discuss how to best take care of your skin today! Great references here.