This article is about a skin regimen that anyone can adopt to help prevent skin acne. The focus is on how to keep oil from blocking your pores and how to treat pimples that flare up.

Acne has a tendency to begin when a child reaches puberty. Hormones cause the sebaceous glands to grow. These glands produce oil, which blocks the pore so they cannot cleanse themselves. As a result, the pore gets clogged and pimples develop. The key to help preventing skin acne is to start a skin regimen before the acne flares up.

Cleansing

To help prevent skin acne, the first step is proper facial cleaning. If you wear makeup, begin by using a non-oily make up remover and rid your face of all cosmetics. Choose a cleaning solution for your face and neck that contains at least 5% benzoyl peroxide. If you find you are allergic or overly sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, then choose a solution with 2% salicylic acid. Cleanse your face thoroughly. Be sure to wash the creases on either side of your nose and right up into you hairline. Do not forget to scrub your upper neck, as this is an area prone to pimples too. And rinse well, as you want to remove all of the soap and oil. Follow this regimen twice a day.

Topical Gels

After washing your face, you can apply a topical gel that has 5% benzoyl peroxide. You have the option of applying this cream all over your face and neck or, if you find you skin is too sensitive, then just apply to affected areas. Do not over apply or you can end up with sore red patches of skin. Use this gel after you wash in the morning.

Night Creams

After washing your face for the evening, carefully examine your head and neck. If you are prone to pimples on your chest, back or arms, examine these areas too. If you spy any areas of irritation where a pimple or blackhead might form, apply a cream containing sulfur to that area.

Make-Up

If you plan on using make up, read all the labels carefully. You want to choose make up that is oil free. The oil in oil based make up will block your pores and cause build up of keratin, sebum and dead skin cells. This will result in skin acne. In addition if you use a moisturizer, be sure it is a light cream and not heavy in oils.

Picking and Popping

As hard as it is to resist, leave those pimples, whiteheads and blackheads alone. Squeezing, popping & picking will only lead to scarring. Concentrate on preventing acne instead of causing facial scarring. A pimple that lasts for a few days is much more appealing than a scar that lasts a lifetime.

When following a skin care regimen, read all labels before purchasing the products. For acne prevention, you want a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Both products help prevent pore blockage, skin inflammation and pimple formation. Select an effective night cream to rub into pimples that flare up. Keep any heavy or oily materials away from you face. Also try and wash oils off of your hands before touching your face. Keeping your face oil free is the key to preventing skin acne.