The number one task for those who are prone to acne may seem to be to get rid of it once it appears. But the first priority in dealing with this problem is really to prevent its appearance in the first place. Acne prevention, while not successful in all cases, can make a significant contribution to dealing with this skin disorder.

Taking care of the skin and ensuring that it's as healthy as you can make, it can often help to lessen the severity of acne: if not eliminate much of it entirely. There are a number of issues to be mindful of in order to achieve this, and important steps to take that should be diligently followed if one is to realize the best results one can.

If you are taking treatment from a doctor for your acne, be sure to continue to do so no matter your current acne status. This way, even if it's all clear, you can help to prevent future outbreaks.

Never squeeze, pop, rub or scrape your pimples and lesions. This can aggravate your condition, and lead to scarring or possibly infection. Bursting a pimple doesn't necessarily get rid of it, and there definitely a risk associated with doing so. With proper attention to them, they will eventually disappear on their own, without the residual problems that can result from popping them.

And wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser. Avoid the use of harsh or rough products including grainy soaps and rough pads, as this can create more of a problem (irritation) for you than you started with. Use warm, but not hot, water, and wet the face thoroughly. Apply gentle pressure and when done, be sure to rinse thoroughly. Washing twice a day is enough as anything in excess of this can dry the skin out, and actually exacerbate your problem. Drying out your skin may cause it to respond by producing more oil, which could lead to more acne.

Keep your hair clean. You may need to wash it more often if it's oily, or if you use gel type, or oily hair care products. These can leave behind a residue that can contribute to your acne problem. Hair that contacts the face and neck skin may cause acne if it leaves residue from the hair on these parts of the body. Again, don't over wash, as this can be detrimental to the health of your hair, but keep it clean so that it doesn't foster additional acne.

Use care in the choice and application of cosmetics, as some of them can clog pores and cause pimples. Choose products that are non-comedogenic. These are designed so that they won't clog skin pores, and so are far less likely to cause acne lesions (which are called comedones). The use of cosmetics that aren't non-comedogenic, can lead to a condition called acne cosmetica. Carefully choosing cosmetics of the proper type can prevent this type of acne.

And some cosmetics can contain other ingredients that may cause breakouts. Some oils will add to the pore clogging oil that acne sufferers produce in abundance, and should be avoided. And there are powders that can have a product called mica that helps to provide shimmer. These tiny particles can easily clog pores and lead to acne lesions. It's best to avoid products unless they're oil-free, and devoid of the shimmer provided by mica.

Tight clothing or equipment that's worn on the body sometimes causes acne - a condition called acne mechanica. The friction caused by headbands, helmets, synthetic clothing and backpack straps, can all lead to this condition. Avoid the use of tight fitting items worn on the body or when necessary, wear cotton undergarments to reduce friction.

While care of the skin won't prevent all outbreaks of acne, it can certainly aid the fight against it, and so is an important part of the acne battle.