Although you may be channeling all of your waking energy into the destruction of your acne, it's important to remember to handle your skin carefully. By scratching and picking at your skin, you will be making your acne condition even worse. The bacteria will spread to larger areas of your skin, making you wish that you had just left it alone. Add to that the possibility of permanent scarring and you'll no doubt keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.

If you are serious about getting rid of your acne, you have to develop a routine which will lead to healthier acne-free skin. Washing your face 2-3 times a day is a good start, and whenever your face is clear of acne, it's very helpful to exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and allow for new ones to form. Various face masks also help to unclog your pores and maintain the balance of your skin, preventing acne from forming. Maintaining a regular healthy diet will be reflected on your skin's surface, especially if you are able to increase your intake of vitamins and minerals and cut back on fatty foods.

For acne outbreaks, it's good to try medications like Retina-A, Renova, and Alpha-Hydroxy acids. These medications have been in use for quite some time and are fairly successful at improving the appearance of acne. In some cases, acne will disappear completely in certain people that adjust well to these drugs.

If all else fails, laser therapy works very well in either keeping your acne at bay for months or removing it permanently from your life.

While you may feel all-consumed by your quest to destroy the acne on your face no matter what the cost, you shouldn't forget about the condition of the unaffected areas of your face. One common misconception about one method of curing or covering up acne is that frequent exposure to the sun will help the appearance of acne by giving your skin an even tone and color. Initially, your skin may even out slightly because the sun will redden it, therefore matching the redness of your pimples. However, without proper protection from the sun you may get burnt and cause sunspots to appear. Another danger of overexposure to the sun is aged skin and possibly wrinkles. Also, skin cancer is a very big concern nowadays and suntans are no longer as fashionable as they used to be because of this.

Don't be deceived into believing that the sun can possibly cure your acne. Take precautions to guard your face against harmful UV rays by wearing a hat while outside on a sunny day, and always remember to apply sunscreen lotion whenever you'll be outside for more than a few minutes.

Aside from the sun, be sure to keep your hands away from your face as much as possible. If your mother was anything like mine, she was probably always after you to wash your hands before touching your face and to do so as little as possible. One reason for resisting the urge to touch your face is because your hands can transmit bacteria from one surface to another quite easily. If you were to go shopping and touch door handles or money that contained bacteria and then touch your face, that bacteria would then begin to crawl all over your skin. Not a very pleasant image, is it? And when it comes to acne, no scratching or picking! After all, you're probably well aware of what happens when you pick at a scab or wound - it results in a permanent scar. Well, the same holds true for your acne. If you go about picking and scratching, you're bound to leave traces of your actions for many years to come.

To help prevent surface oils from building up, and to normalize the overall condition of your face, you should exfoliate regularly. In addition to reducing the possibilities of acne scarring, exfoliating also prevents ingrown hairs, and rejuvenates skin by getting rid of dead skin cells to allow for younger, more vibrant ones to shine through. The only time you should avoid exfoliation is when you are suffering from an acne outbreak because it will be counterproductive at that point.

There are a wide variety of exfoliant products available in the pharmacy, cosmetic departments, and online. Although they may range in price, most of them achieve the same results so there's really no need to pay a fortune for one. However, if you have sensitive skin or would like to exfoliate on a daily basis, it would be a good idea to choose one which is gentle and suitable for everyday use.

Using an exfoliant is extremely simple and takes no longer than it would to wash your face. Simply dampen your face with some water and then gently rub the exfoliant on in circular motions, avoiding your eyes and mouth. Be sure to rinse thoroughly afterwards and you should immediately notice a significant difference in your face. It will feel much smoother and look brighter and healthier. Depending on your skin type, you can use the exfoliant as infrequently as once a week or everyday.