Let’s face it, acne is a pit. Waking up to new pimples is a horrible way to start your day. Worse still, if they show up when you’re getting ready for a hot date. Or getting ready to take school photos. The problem is, there is often no way around the dreaded pimples. At least that’s what most people think.

But there are things that can be done to help with skin care and prevent breakouts. Admittedly, it will take some time management and a certain degree of commitment … but it’s worth keeping the pizza face at bay! Here are some tips to help keep your skin acne free:

– After a long busy day, take some time to rest for a few minutes. Half an hour or so of relaxation is good. You should let your body de-stress before starting your acne skincare routine. Although it may sound silly, mindfulness is an important aspect of the treatment process. Do not neglect it.

– After your short “down time”, wash your face thoroughly. Make sure to wash off any bits of dirt on the surface of your skin with warm water. Your face must be absolutely clean because the pores will open in the presence of water and you do not want foreign particles to leak out. Warm water is much better for relaxing your pores, so cold water is preferred to wash your face.

Apply soap to your face. The soap must be hypoallergenic, that is, free from allergies. Wash thoroughly, then let your face rest for about five minutes until the pores have relaxed and open.

– Apply a rejuvenating cream. There are a variety of brands available in the market. Just make sure the brand you use is not an antioxidant. You want to get rid of all the potential oil buildup, but you want to retain moisture on your face. You don’t want it to dry out. The goal is to retain a healthy amount of moisture.

– Rinse well afterwards and relax again. You have completed the acne skin care process for today.

This is an easy routine that should be repeated on a regular basis. But don’t overlook its simplicity. Maintaining this cleansing regimen will help prevent future blemishes and breakouts. It’s guaranteed? No. But it is an easy and inexpensive alternative to commercial acne ointments.