Your Guide to Clear Skin: Strategies for Breakout Management and Prevention

Do you have recurring breakouts or have trouble clearing them? Dr. Amulya Ramamurthy - Consultant Dermatologist shares some tips that can help you move towards clear skin:

Gentle and alcohol-free skin care products are ideal. Scrubs, astringents and other drying measures have to be eliminated. Choose makeup and skin products that state 'non comedogenic' on their labels.

Avoid home remedies
Home remedies like lemon, turmeric, honey etc irritate the skin and in almost all cases aggravate acne.

Maintain a clean scalp and hair
Shampooing on a daily or alternate day basis, and avoiding hair oils can prevent acne. Also make sure to stick to hairstyles that don't have loose facial hair.

Frequent or excessive face washing
Both are bad for the skin. Cleanse the face twice a day with extra time after the workout is enough.

Keep your face clean
Avoid touching your face frequently. Dirty phone screens and pillow covers are also linked to breakouts. Before going to bed, be sure to remove the makeup at the end.

Skip the moisturizer and sunscreen
Dry skin and sun damage can aggravate acne. It is important to find the right product for your skin type rather than skipping these steps in skin care.

Include a healthy balanced diet
Adequate fiber, antioxidants and omega fatty acids help keep the skin clear. High glycemic foods and excessive consumption of dairy products have been associated with acne in a few people. Also remember to drink plenty of water to clear those breakouts.

Use medicines regularly
Remember that skin medications take weeks to months of regular use to show changes. Avoid 'trying out' products for a few days and switching products frequently. A disciplined long-term skin care regimen is the goal.

Avoid squeezing pimples
This not only causes dark spots or scars, but also causes acne in nearby areas due to collateral damage.

Proper use of acne medications
Acne creams/gels should be spread as a thin layer over the entire acne area and not on the pimples alone.