Do's and Don'ts for Acne-Free Skin

Do's: * Eat healthfully and include lots of foods enriched with Vitamin A, B, E, and zinc. A multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help boost your skin's nutrition and prevent acne. * Shower after a workout, since sweat combined with skin oils can trap dirt and bacteria in your pores. * Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to hydrate your skin and flush out the toxins in your body and skin. * Put on sunblock before sun exposure, since acne medications may cause adverse reactions to the sun and exacerbate your condition. * Use generic Retin-A to treat the acne . Retin-A is a topical medication that may be gel or cream based. Retin-A medications are offered at numerous concentration levels, each designed for a specific skin type. * Use non oil based makeup, and make sure to clean cosmetic brushes regularly in soapy water and throw out old, contaminated makeup. Don'ts: * Don't pop, or squeeze blemishes or whiteheads; it can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse, not better. * Don't go to bed without removing your makeup. It can clog pores and lead to breakouts. * Don't stress out! There is preliminary evidence that stress may exacerbate acne. The proposed mechanisms of this effect include altered hormonal levels and suppression of immune system linked to stress. * Avoid the following foods: o Refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, especially sugar. o Fatty and oily foods-instead replace them with low fat options. o Processed foods that are hard to digest and may cause inflammation. o Dairy products that are high in fat can cause oily skin.