Facial acne is one of the most common skin problems that many people dread. It’s caused by dirt, facial products, stress, bad eating habits and especially hormonal changes in the body. When you encounter these things, your skin’s sebaceous glands will produce excess oil that when combines with dead skin or oxygen brings about severe moisture in the skin and thus inviting harmful bacteria. Facial acne concerns a lot of people because it’s something that you cannot hide under clothing. Of course thick make-up would do the trick but too much facial products will also worsen acne problems. So many people, especially women use different kinds of pimple cleaning gels, cream, topical ointment and the like to get rid of acne. But since some people want immediate and permanent results, they resort to other dermatological methods such as laser treatments, microdermabrasion, and what not. What many don’t realize is that acne does not really disappear over night because the only way to dismiss it is through discipline an d living a healthy lifestyle. No matter which medicine you use, if you don’t take care of your skin, you still suffer from acne. Here are four easy steps on how to let facial acne out of your life.

Drink plenty of water.

Water would not be called a universal solvent if couldn’t melt down or flush out almost anything, especially toxins. So if you feel that your skin is drying up, becoming too greasy or is getting clogged, then re-hydrate yourself with water all throughout the day. Water will cleanse not just cleanse your face but also your whole system.

Eat low on the food chain and pack on fruits and vegetables.

If you love eating steak and fast food then it’s time to take on something else. Eating fatty and preserved food all the time will increase oil production in your body and thus increasing acne too. Have a balanced diet and eat more of fish, fruits and vegetables everyday, as much as possible. These will supply nutrients for your skin.

Change your pillow cases, beddings and blankets regularly.

Pay attention to what touches your face including face towels, sun glasses your bangs and what not. Lying on a filthy bed will put filth on your face too whether you like it or not. So change sheets frequently and clean whatever touches your face often.

Wash, even when you don’t put make up on.

Make sure that before you go to bed every night and before you leave home during the day that you’ve cleaned your face. This is one way of removing oil and dead skin cells, so that bacteria will stay away too. When it comes to acne, it’s better to prevent instead of treat.

Knowing how to get rid of pimples means knowing what causes them in the first place. The American Academy of Dermatology lists four major causes for acne: clogged pores, oil, bacteria and inflammation. When excess oil gets trapped beneath the surface of your skin, your pores get clogged. A bacteria called P. acnes grows in clogged pores, which makes bumps of inflammation– pimples.

What does that tell us about how to get rid of pimples? That it’s all about prevention. You have to keep oil from building up on your skin. Washing with a gentle, oil-free cleanser twice a day is a good start. Washing too often, using harsh cleansers or scrubbing your skin can aggravate zits, though, so be nice to your skin. Keeping your hair clean can also help get rid of pimples. Keep oily strands from brushing against your face, neck or shoulders. If you wear makeup, look for noncomedogenic formulas and be sure to remove it every night before bed.

The best way to get rid of pimples may be to prevent them from forming, but what if that’s not possible? Some people are predisposed to oily skin and bad breakouts. If good hygiene doesn’t help, an over-the-counter treatment might. A myriad of brands exist to help with clearing up bad skin. Most of them are topical lotions or creams– you apply them directly to your skin. Over-the-counter acne treatments work by killing bacteria and drying oil. Some may cause your skin to peel.

So what if you have great hygiene, have tried every known over-the-counter acne product in the universe, and you still can’t figure out how to get rid of pimples? It’s time to see a dermatologist. Severe acne can sap your confidence and scar your face if left untreated. A good dermatologist can prescribe stronger medicine to fight the oil and bacteria on your skin. He or she can also recommend other treatments that might help– things like chemical peels, cyst draining, dermabrasion or antibiotics.

Don’t let bad skin get you down: get rid of it instead. It may take a while, but there’s no reason you can’t have the kind of pimple-free skin you deserve.