Tips on Preventing or Reducing Acne

Acne is a problem that plagues many. It is often embarrassing and can cripple the self-confidence of even the most capable among us. Often, acne occurs during puberty, when there is a medical problem or skin irritation, when taking certain medications, when the body is trying to purify itself, or when there is a problem with hygiene in the affected individual.
The exact causes of acne can only be postulated upon, but it is the general consensus that it, in at least some cases, is caused by a buildup of bacteria or sediment within the pores of the skin.

There are several techniques with which one can reduce acne, which have shown very beneficial to me and to those who I have suggested use them.

One: Get more zinc and copper in your diet. Zinc and copper are vital to the skin, prostate and reproductive system in general, muscle recovery and the repairing of things such as cuts and bruises. Zinc and copper can be most easily acquired through eating more whole grain cereals and taking multivitamins.

Two: Minimize the preservatives and artificial things you eat. That includes things like aspartame, sucralose (Splenda brand sugar substitute), sodium benzoate (found in a lot of canned products, especially sodas.), and, last, but definitely not least, high fructose corn syrup. These things can hamper your body's ability to detoxify itself through excretion, and when that happens, your body is forced to excrete through the skin, resulting in oily, clammy skin and, yes, often, acne.

Three: Drink a lot of water. Water is the single most important tool we have that allows us to filter out assorted nasties from the body and leave them elsewhere. Preferably, a toilet or urinal. Worst case scenario, bush or trash can. Many toxins are water-soluble, and will be flushed out when you drink more and more water. Yes, it makes you run to the loo every few minutes, but eventually your body will get used to it and you won't need to go as often, and you can take pride in knowing that you are making your body very happy.

Four: Eat a lot of fruit. Fruit contains fiber, and fiber helps clean out the colon and other important or vital organs. Whenever you think that you don't need fiber, bear in mind that it is estimated that the average American has a pound of unprocessed red meat in their colon. Make it your goal to not be the average American! Some fruits also contains some trace amounts of zinc and copper, and so can aid in more than one way. Besides, fruits make you feel better. And they fill you up, making it less and less likely that you'll resort to that candy bar or coke.

Five: Don't be afraid to sweat. In fact, it is recommended that you do some physically rigorous activity and then take a nice, warm shower after it and make sure you scrub everything well. Which brings me to number six.

Six: Sanitation, sanitation, sanitation. If need be, get an exfoliating facial cloth or something and, as a rule of thumb, use it every time you brush your teeth. This will help clean out the pores and remove old, dead skin cells from your new, glossy, acne-free (or soon to be acne-free) coat.

Seven: Avoid lotions, please. They might make your skin look smoother, but unless they're really, really pure (and most commercial lotions are not.), they will only clog up your pores and further pollute your body.

Eight: If need be, get a facial cleanser that contains salycylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Both of these things actually cause the bacteria that are believed to cause acne to explode. Think about that for a while, it's fun to.

Now that you have been armed with these eight weapons of mass deacneization (No, that is not a real word. At least, I don't think.), go forth and wage war upon your antagonistic dermatological affliction!