Acne is a huge problem for many people. Acne does not discriminate on age either. Acne usually starts in early teens and can last well into a persons forties and has detrimental effects on self esteem. There are several causes of acne; hormones, clogged pores, bacteria, diet, but a few simple lifestyle changes can cut the amount of acne you have or even eliminate it all together.

The first thing you should do is increase your water intake. Water is the key to life and also the key to remove toxins from the body. Water hydrates the skin and is the best natural cure for acne there is – period! I sometimes find myself drinking a minimal amount of water during the day and soon a breakout happens. Once I increase my water intake, the acne goes away. You should target half your body weight in ounces, but if you aren’t used to drinking that much water, a good start is 8 – eight ounce glasses per day.

The second thing you should do is change your diet. Eating excessively fatty foods can lead to excess oil in your skin. This can lead to acne breakouts. We all know that sometimes it is difficult to plan healthy meals, especially with how busy people are. Eating fast food on the run has become commonplace. A suggestion would be to cut the amount of fast food, or fatty food, in half each week. Pack your own lunch with lean meat sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, yogurt, and other low-fat snacks. You will have less waste in your system and therefore less to get clogged in your pores.

Lastly, you need to keep your pores open. Washing your face and hands two to three times per day with a gentle wash will do wonders, along with changing your pillow case often. A gentle soap such as Neutrogena is great at opening pores and removing oil. Just keep in mind that this is not an overnight cure, it will take several days of oil free skin to really make a difference, but you will not see any new pimples form. Changing your pillow case often also keeps your pores from getting clogged. Dirt and oil can collect during your long sleep at night and end up clogging pores very quickly. This can put a halt to any program you are on, natural or otherwise, and you will blame everything else but that.

Acne can be a serious problem, both physically and psychologically, but it doesn’t have to be. Just follow the simple rules above and you will notice a huge difference.