An acne product alone cannot make all your pimples and blackheads go away. The key to clear and flawless skin is not simply washing your face or applying an acne cream or taking a pill. You have to adopt a complete regimen that will get you through the day and decrease the chances of acne forming. Remember, even your acne product is not failsafe without adopting other behaviors to prevent acne.



1) Give Your Acne Product Time to Work.

Do not expect to be pimple free overnight. Every medication needs time to work. As a rule, expect the acne product you use to take approximately 6-8 weeks to work effectively.

2) Don't Aggravate Your Acne

As tempting as it might be, refrain from poking, prodding, squeezing or popping your acne. This can lead to “pizza face” syndrome with skin full of scars and pock marks. In addition, this type of behavior will only aggravate your pimples causing your acne product of choice to take longer to work.

3) Wash Your Hands

Your hands have a habit of collecting dirt, oil, and bacteria throughout the day. Do the best you can to avoid touching your face. If you must touch an acne prone area try to wash your hands before doing so.

4) Wash Your Face

One of the causes of acne is the natural oil on your face blocking your pores and causing blackheads and pimples. Using an oil-free face wash with either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid twice a day will help reduce the natural oils. Do not scrub your face vigorously as this can irritate your acne and actually cause inflammation. Instead, wash gently and pat dry lightly.

5) Use Your Product as Directed

Before using any acne product, read the label carefully. Never use the product more than suggested as this can lead to skin burns. Conversely, never use the product less than suggested as this can prevent the product from acting effectively.

6) Use Oil-Free Products on Your Skin

Check the labels on all of your skin care and make-up products. Be sure they are water based and will not clog your pores. Many skin product companies will use the term “noncomedogenic”. This term means the product will not clog pores.

7) Do Not Make Your Acne Worse

Do not use oily hair care products as these can get transferred to your neck and face. Stay away from oil-based gels, greases, and pomades. In addition if you hair tends to be oily, wear it away from your face. If you play sports try to wear clothing that will wick moisture away from your body as sweat can make acne worse.

8) Eat a Healthy Diet and Drink Plenty of Water

While there is no direct link between diet and acne, eating healthy and drinking plenty of water cannot hurt your acne and, in fact, may help prevent pimples and blackheads.

9) Avoid Sunlight

Sunlight curing acne is a myth. All tanning does is increase your risk of skin cancer. Furthermore, the acne product you are using can make you more sensitive to sunlight and cause severe reactions to this light. This is true whether you use a tanning booth, sun lamp or direct sunlight. So stay out of the sun or wear a water based sunscreen to protect your skin.