Have you bought the latest infomercial Cure Acne product only to find it just does not live up to the celebrity hype? Then, when you wanted your money back, you got stuck with shipping and handling both ways? Angry about that? Well, here are 7 things you should do to cure your acne that work and that do not cost big bucks.

Acne cure marketers know that more than 90 percent of all young people and nearly 25 percent of all grownups suffer from some level of acne. This embarrassing condition spares almost no one regardless of where they are in the world because pimples and zits are largely caused by bacteria forming in clogged skin pores.

What can you do that does not bleed your bank account? Well, good common sense methods to treat acne should be followed and these include a proven combination of prevention and sensible skincare. Here are the top 7 things you should put into action right now to prevent and treat acne:

1. Physical Fitness

We all know that physical fitness is extremely important in combating many diseases but few of us realize that we can be promoting acne because of the clothing we wear during exercise. We may look fashionable in those jazzy outfits made from synthetic fabrics like nylon but we may be trapping oils in our pores as we sweat. This is a perfect environment for acne bacteria - body heat and clogged pores.

Exercise outfits should be loose fitting and made of real cotton. Cotton tends to evaporate the heat and sweat. You also want to shower immediately after exercising and sanitize your exercise equipment after each workout.

2. Hypo-allergenic Personal Grooming Products for Women and Men

Any personal grooming product that contains man-made ingredients or additives such as coal tar should be avoided. This includes men's cologne or women's perfume and hair spray. The word to look for on the label is - hypo-allergenic. Such products are more gentle and do not contribute to acne when used as directed.

Keep your combs, brushes, and other grooming instruments cleaned and sanitary as well.

Women should avoid cosmetics that have a "shimmer" effect. That shimmer may make you look sultry but it is created by a mineral additive that tends to clog pores. The more you shimmer, the more the mineral content, and the greater chance that you are clogging your pores.

3. Boosting Your Immunity To Acne

A healthy diet is universally accepted as a way to keep you fit and energetic while boosting your immune system. We want our immune system working at high capacity to combat bacteria that causes acne. A healthy diet promotes healthy skin by helping the body shed dead skin quickly, replacing it with fresh and smooth new skin.

Here are a few vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that will help fight severe acne:

...Vitamin A

...Retinol ( but use as directed!)

...Vitamin B Complex

...Vitamin C

...Vitamin E

...L-Carnitine

... Zinc

You need not go overboard with this. Just look for a quality multivitamin that contains the recommended dosages. Here again, watch out for the hype and avoid super-high-priced products.

3. It's That Time Of The Month

In a recent study, hormone imbalance, too much or too little, has been found to be one of the key causes of acne. This hormone imbalance affects women more than men, especially during and after menopause. A recent study found that some 50 percent of women suffered from hormone-caused acne just prior to menustration. Hormone imbalance was the key cause. Men were not studied but hormone imbalance does effect men who have feminine tendencies.

Ask your doctor about treatment options. The most proscribed treatments include retinoids, antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teenagers. If you are an adult female, your doctor may recommend hormonal birth control pills or a hormone replacement program. Your doctor may also recommend a combination of prescription topical creams or lotions, prescription drugs or over-the-counter acne treatment products for mild acne.

4. Be Kind To Your Skin

A common sense daily skin care program will go a long way to preventing acne from getting out of control and even preventing outbreaks. The word for this is - moderation. Treat your skin gently when washing. Do not scrub. Do not use very hot water. Use warm water to wash and to rinse. Look for products that exfoliate the skin with natural ingredients. Avoid products that contain alcohol.

The idea here is simple - over washing removes all your skin oil. You will then need to replace that oil. Look for a natural moisturizer product to replace some of the skin oils if you find that your skin is too dry or visibly flaking.

5. Preventing and Treating Acne with Products

As stated earlier, avoid the hyped and expensive products. Go for cheaper alternatives before you lay down your credit card. Here are some of the cheaper alternatives:

...Benzoyl Peroxide

...Salicylic Acid

...Retinoids

...Antibiotics

...Oral Contraceptives

...Anti-Androgens

...Isotretinoin (Accutane)

Please, consult your doctor or skin care specialist for their recommendations.

6. The Shaving Solution

If you have excessive facial hair and find acne a problem in those areas then shaving may be your solution. You need to remove facial hair because it can capture and hold skin oil and clog pores.

If you do not have a mustache or beard, a good shave is an excellent to clean your skin of dead cells. The body naturally replaces dead skin every several weeks but shaving speeds that process along. New skin takes the place of the dead skin and your complexion will look much healthier.

Shaving can also clean off mild blackheads and zits, however, be careful shaving around severe acne for obvious reasons. If you have sensitive skin, opt for shaving cream made specifically for your skin type. Whatever your skin type, avoid shaving cream that has oil additives.

Shave with a sharp single blade razor or use an electric razor. Use light pressure while shaving and go with the grain or hair growth not against it. A close shave should not cause cuts or sensitivity. Rinse with very warm water, not hot water nor cold water and gently pat your face dry with a soft cotton towel.

7. The Acne-Stress Connection

Stress creates excess chemicals in the body that can contribute to acne by calling on our immune system to react. A weak immune system allows these toxins to stay in the body. While a sensible exercise program will relieve stress and burn off those toxins before they can cause damage, it is much better to learn to mentally handle stress before it becomes a problem.

You need to learn to deal with anxiety, fear, low self-confidence, depression and any other negative emotions. Not handling these stressors can leave toxins inside your body that can cause acne and other skin problems.

Aside from exercise, a good night's sleep is an excellent stress reliever. When we go without sleep our tiredness, in itself, is a stressor. We also need to take time to rest and relax during our waking hours. Take a walk and smell the flowers, so to speak. Take up a relaxing hobby, listen to music that reminds you of happier times, call a friend on the phone, read the funny papers and laugh outloud, go to a funny movie, do anything that removes the stress.