Every year, millions of people of all ages suffer from acne – reddened, unsightly, and often painful bumps and lesions on the skin. Acne can develop not only on the face, but also on the scalp, shoulders, buttocks, and back. There are many different types of acne, but following these guidelines should put you on the road to clearer skin.

Make sure you keep your pillowcases clean. Consider a pillowcase. You toss and turn on these oils every night. Keep contamination to a minimum by swapping your cases out each day and washing all of your bed linens frequently.

When applying makeup to acne-prone skin, make sure your makeup brushes are totally clean. The bristles can harbor all kinds of oil and germs and having these applied to your face repeatedly, without washing them, can cause breakouts. use a mild soap and water to clean the brushes. If the brushes are old or totally caked in makeup, dispose of them and get new ones to use on your skin.

Makeup can be an important factor in controlling acne. All makeup products should be washed off at the end of the day before bedtime. This will definitely, prevent the pores from being clogged due to impurities in the makeup. You might also want to try water based makeup instead of oil based. If you are experiencing a breakout and wish to wear makeup, use only a limited amount or abstain from wearing it all together.

If your acne is extremely bad, go to a dermatologist or a doctor. Pills for acne exist if you have tried creams and lotions with no results. Your acne is probably caused by a hormonal unbalance that can be fixed by taking certain pills prescribed by your doctor. Make sure you understand what is in these pills before you take them.

Don’t forget to moisturize your skin if you suffer from acne. Most acne treatment creams contain strong ingredients that can sometimes cause red patches and dryness. There are a number of moisturizers available for all skin types. If your skin is particularly oily, choose an oil-free moisturizer. For sensitive skin, go with something that is fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic. If you are using an acne treatment cream, avoid any moisturizer that contains ingredients that exfoliate the skin, such as alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid. It may further irritate your skin.

Having a high amount of stress is something that can cause you get very bad acne. When you are under stress, you tend to not take care of yourself and your hormones get a little out of whack. All of this leads to acne. It is important to remember to breath deeply and try not to stress to much.

So whether you are 15 or 50, there’s a good chance that you are having to contend with the discomfort and embarrassment that comes from moderate to severe acne. Try these useful and proven tips for eliminating acne, and do not be discouraged by your past problems with this skin condition.