Six Effective Steps to Get Rid of Acne

Proper lifestyle habits and care can contribute significantly to skin health and thus, to get rid of acne.
Six Effective Steps to Get Rid of Acne
Carlos Fabián Avila

Written and verified by Doctor Carlos Fabián Avila.

Last update: 27 May, 2022

Would you like to get rid of acne and have cleaner beautiful skin? You’ll need to improve some of your lifestyle habits if so, one step at a time. Here is some interesting information to help you achieve this goal.

Before we go any further, let’s keep in mind that acne is a real problem because it affects an important part of a person: their face. This is why those affected really feel the need to look for options with which to eliminate it.

Thus, to get rid of acne you must first know what triggers it; what factors are involved in the outbreaks and their expansion, and some other things. Are you ready to find out more about it? Let’s get to it!

What’s acne and why does it appear?

According to Dr. Ramon Grimalt Santacana, acne is one of the most common skin disorders. Specifically, it’s “an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit” characterized by the formation of pimples, papules, pustules, nodules, and scars.

Its exact cause is still unknown; although, it’s a fact that appears when the sebaceous glands work in excess. This is because it results in an accumulation of oil, dead cells, and bacteria on the skin. Then, this leads to the inflammation of the hair follicle and the sebaceous glands.

Acne is classified into various types depending on its severity: mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe, etc.

Tips to get rid of acne

Most people first turn to various homemade remedies and over-the-counter products to get rid of acne such as commercial masks sold at some grocery stores.

However, this isn’t the most appropriate treatment. This is because you can only take advantage of such products and appreciate their benefits when you know your type of skin, its needs, and particularities. As you can see, you can only obtain this information by consulting a dermatologist most of the time.

You can put into practice the tips below after a professional diagnosis. In short, these are very simple measures that contribute to the health of the skin and thus, promote skin health.

1. Hydration

 

A woman drinking water.

Water is vital for the organism in many ways as it allows it to properly function. Thus, we advise drinking enough of it daily. In this regard, you don’t have to drink two quarts of it to be properly hydrated.

Furthermore, a person may need a quart, a quart and a half, or two, depending on their age, sex, lifestyle, health status, and other factors. As you can see, you should be aware of your own needs and follow up on it to reflect on your skin.

Estimates indicate that 72% of your skin is made up of water. So, you need to maintain this proportion if you want to get rid of acne, avoid it in the future, and keep your skin healthy.

2. Pay attention to your dietary habits

Your diet directly influences the health of your skin. In fact, fresh food, such as fruit and vegetables, can nourish it due to its properties. Similarly, junk food that contains excess refined sugars, flours, and trans fats have the opposite effect on it.

Unfortunately, the following are quite common on most people’s diet: sweetened cereals, pasta, pastries, chocolates, cookies, jams, ultra-processed goods, and other similar products. All of them have an addictive taste, which explains why it’s so difficult to stop eating them.

Nevertheless, you must stop and think about some of the health problems that a diet rich in this type of food usually brings along:

  • Excess oil in your skin
  • The appearance of unwanted acne
  • An increase in insulin levels
  • Changes to the production of androgens, etc

3. Makeup

 

This is ideal to enhance those facial features that favor you but using makeup daily and in large quantities can damage the health of your skin.

  • Whenever possible, choose quality cosmetic products, according to your dermatologist’s indications
  • There are special products in the market for people who suffer from acne that have specific properties and can benefit you when used appropriately
  • Neutral soaps aren’t recommended here because the normal pH of the skin is acidic. Thus, skin products should be as close as possible to the normal pH of your skin
  • Remove makeup and wash your face thoroughly before going to bed
  • Consider not applying makeup for at least a couple of days a week

4. Have proper facial hygiene

To get rid of acne effectively, it’s important to wash your face frequently with warm water and a bar of neutral soap.

A woman rinsing her face to get rid of acne.
You don’t have to wash your face every minute but try to respect the washing frequency recommended by the dermatologist.

You can also choose to use a gentle makeup remover that’s appropriate for your skin type. Then, take off the residue with a clean, soft towel to get rid of the oily residue on your skin and avoid irritation.

Also, exfoliate at least once per week. While there are several commercial options, we recommend trying one made with papaya, rose water, or yogurt.

5. Sleep as much as you need to

 

Sleeping at least 7 hours a day provides the body with the rest it needs while contributing to the health of the skin. Did you know that our excretory system works harder when we sleep? This is why it’s so necessary to wash every morning.

In addition, proper rest will help you avoid the appearance of undesirable dark circles under your eyes and to maintain your skin health, among other things.

Try to take a little nap during the day if you can’t sleep for seven hours at night. Keep in mind day naps shouldn’t be longer than 40 minutes.

6.  Evaluate any medications you may be taking

Some cases of acne aren’t due to a lack of sleep, or a bad diet. But, they are a secondary effect of some medications. Those that cause acne more often are contraceptive pills.

Before completely stopping these medications, talk with your doctor. Sometimes acne only appears in the first few weeks when your body is adapting and then disappears once the body gets used to it.

Ask your doctor about an alternative drug if the acne doesn’t clear after a few weeks. This could be an alternative solution to get rid of it.

7. Don’t overlook your daily routine in order to get rid of acne

A woman applying a substance on her face.

 

Many people throw in the towel in their fight against breakouts. Even though this is ultimately your decision, you need to know that you don’t need to live with this problem all of your life. Fighting it is really easy, and while the results can be slow, with time, you’ll see a great difference.

What else can you do to get rid of acne?

The best thing you can do is talk to your dermatologist about the best options for you. Keep in mind that this kind of professional won’t just evaluate your skin type but also give you information about its particularities. In addition, they’ll tell you what’s good for it, and what isn’t.

Thus, always consult a dermatologist before applying any type of product, even if it’s homemade if you have any doubts about how to properly take care of your skin.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Dunyach-Remy, C., Sotto, A., & Lavigne, J.-P. (2015). Le microbiote cutané : étude de la diversité microbienne et de son rôle dans la pathogénicité. Revue Francophone Des Laboratoires. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1773-035X(15)72821-2
  • Marty, J. P. (2007). Acné, sécheresse cutanée et vieillissement: La nutrition au service de la peau. Nouvelles Dermatologiques.
  • Berbis, P., Tostain, J., & Rossi, D. (2004). Androgènes et vieillissement cutané. Progrès En Urologie.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.