Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, and chances are pretty good that you’ve suffered the occasional, or perhaps more frequent, breakout. But what do you do when a breakout strikes? It’s important to do your research on acne, as you could be inadvertently harming your skin more than helping it.

For those of you looking for a natural way to reduce your acne, this can be a great help for you. Puree some strawberries and then add some sour cream to the mix. Once you have a good paste, apply it to your skin for a few minutes. Do this weekly to help reduce acne problems.

Try using lemons to combat acne breakouts. Some people find that lemon juice is very effective in getting rid of acne. If you have enlarged pores and oily skin, try applying lemon juice to the area. You should limit the use of lemon juice to only once or twice a week to avoid drying out your skin.

Shaving serves as exfoliation and therefore, can be an excellent way of removing dead skin cells. This can help to both prevent acne, and keep it from spreading if a break out has occurred. Avoid shaving any areas that are sore or infected however, as this can further irritate the skin.

By touching your face with your hands, you are introducing bacteria and oils to your skin. To avoid breakouts that are caused by this, try to refrain from touching your face. Even swiping your bangs out of the way over and over again, will result in your hands grazing across your forehead.

One of the best treatments that you can try is micro-needling for your acne scars. This process uses a roller with hundreds of small needles that puncture your skin. Over time, your collagen will grow back, filling in your acne. This treatment is great for deep, cystic acne scarring.

Acne and blackheads are extremely frustrating and can develop well beneath the skin. To reduce blackheads, use a pore clearing strip before you go to bed at night. This strip will help to pull the blackheads from your nose, which is the most prominent area for them to generate on your face.

Try to use makeup sparingly. If you are having an acne breakout, it is best to avoid wearing some makeup, such as foundation, powder, and blush. Keep in mind, if you do wear makeup, you need to wash it off at the end of the day. If you can, buy oil-free makeup that has no added dyes or chemicals. Always check the ingredient list when purchasing makeup.

Do not, under any circumstances, physically pop pimples. The temptation is very strong, as you will see immediate results, but this will cause severe damage in the long run. The damage can be anything from red blotches, blemishes, scars, and further outbreaks. On rare occasions, you can even get an infection.

So, if you have acne, is there hope? Yes, absolutely! Most people, at some point in their life, have struggled with acne. The good news is that there is a solution – put some of our tips into practice, and the result will be a clearer complexion and a happier you!