To help get rid of those pesky pimples, follow these tips:

• Wash your face with soap and water once or twice a day. Avoid perfumed or scented soaps, and stay away from the harsh deodorant soaps. These can strip your face of valuable oils that actually protect your skin, and it could lead to more pimples. Instead, use a mild antibacterial soap that will cleanse your skin without damaging it. Clean your skin gently. Scrubbing or hard rubbing might just spread the problem.

• Use as little makeup as possible. Using too much foundation or base often clogs the pores in your skin, leading to clogged oil glands and pimples. Try using a water-based makeup (rather than oil-based), and apply as thin a layer as you can to allow your skin to breathe. And be sure to wash off the makeup each evening with soap and water.

• Don’t pick at your pimples. This doesn’t help them clear up any faster, and it could lead to scarring that wouldn’t have occurred otherwise.

• Don’t rest your chin, neck or face on your arms or in your hands while you watch TV, read or study.

• Avoid foods and drinks that seem to trigger your outbreaks (chocolate and caffeine).

• Drink lots of water – up to eight glasses a day. The extra liquid helps to “flush out” your system and helps prevent pimple formation. Drinking lots of water helps keep your skin (and your hair, nails and intestines) healthy.

• Some people think that a little bit of sunshine helps clear up their skin. However, dermatologists warn against the harmful effects of the sun and remind you that sun and heat can increase the amount of oil your skin produces.

• If you are taking birth control pills or hormones, ask your doctor if your brand might cause acne as a side effect. If so, ask him if you can switch brands.

• If your monthly period seems to trigger an acne outbreak, try to just suffer through it. There really is no smart way to adjust your hormone levels, which are triggering the outbreak. Just drink lots of water during that time and keep your skin as clean as possible to reduce your risk.

• If you take medications (especially medicines for epilepsy or tuberculosis), ask your doctor or pharmacist if acne is a side effect of any of your medicines. If so, ask your doctor if there is another kind of drug you can take that doesn’t have that side effect.

• Try using one of the several over-the-counter anti-acne creams. These contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, sulfur or salicylic acid that are helpful in reducing acne flare-ups.

• Try to avoid stressful situations that might trigger your acne outbreaks. If you can’t avoid the situations, begin practicing stress-relief measures (like exercising, listening to quiet music, reading a good book or prayer). Dealing with stress and anxiety before it becomes serious can often help you avoid a stress-induced acne flare-up.

• If you have serious, disfiguring acne, you need to see a dermatologist. Taking medicine to improve your skin’s condition can help you avoid scarring.