How to stop a pimple from forming? This is probably the million-dollar question that everyone is trying to find answers to. Whether you are a teenager or a 30-year-old adult, pimple problems are experienced over and over throughout our lifetime.
First, let’s delve into the “WHY”. Why do we have pimples on our faces in the first place?
A pimple (or acne) is basically a result of your pores being blocked by bacteria, oil, dead skin cells. It is common for pimples to develop on oily skin due to excessive oil production, but that doesn’t mean it is only limited to one type of skin.
However, there are other reasons such as hormonal changes affected by pregnancy or puberty, poor diet, certain medications, and genetic factors. But overall, it is possible to stop a pimple from forming by adopting some lifestyle habits.
Here are 7 essential ways to stop a pimple from forming:
1. Clean your skin daily – The most basic way to stop a pimple from forming
This seems like a no-brainer, but trust me, to be reminded of it time and time again really helps.
It is essential to create a daily cleanse routine for yourself, whether it is done once or twice, it is totally up to you! Incorporating an oil-free cleanser into your routine is key.
If you have oily skin, it would probably be best to clean your face first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening before moisturizing and going to bed. By removing any excess dirt, oil, or potential bacteria, you will make your first step to prevent further outbreaks.
2. Stop touching your face. Seriously.
As basic as it may sound, some of us do have the habit of touching our face or hair a lot. Touching your face with dirty fingertips can spread bacteria, dirt on your face, and cause new outbreaks.
Studies show that people touch their faces 23 times an hour, which is a pretty high number. Simply by being more mindful and identifying your face-touching triggers you can achieve tremendous progress.
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Keeping hydrated and drinking enough water every day will help with decreased oil production on the skin, which in turn will help with your acne. Try to drink at least 6 glasses of water every day.
Not only it will help with acne prevention, but it will boost your metabolism. Ever seen those videos where they test what drinking enough water does to the skin? Don’t go and search for them, I will tell you right away: Their skin is glowing, that’s what it does.
4. Use non-comedogenic products
Put simply, non-comedogenic refers to products that contain certain ingredients that aren’t going to clog your pores, which in turn will not cause any acne or pimple. We highly recommend checking the labels on your products before you purchase them to make sure that it is non-comedogenic.
Common non-comedogenic ingredients are glycerin, jojoba oil, iron oxides, beeswax, and allantoin. Ingredients such as acetylated lanolin alcohol, linseed oil, butyl stearate, olive oil should be strictly avoided. Unfortunately, most makeup products like lipsticks and blushes contain comedogenic ingredients.
Keep in mind that if the comedogenic ingredients are listed at the beginning of the list, chances are that there are even more coming. So, beware of that.
5. Use hygienic products and tools
I am sure that most of us do clean the towels we use. Regularly washing them and using disposable paper towels can be a better idea. Make sure that you change bed sheets and pillowcases often to avoid any bacteria from forming on your skin.
Clean your makeup sponges, beauty blenders, and makeup brushes very frequently, just take extra precautions. This is one of the most important steps to prevent pimples from growing in the long run.
6. Take care of yourself. For real.
There is nothing wrong with eating chocolate or your favorite creamy pie every now and then but try to do it in moderation. Many studies still look into the correlation between the consumption of foods with a high glycemic index and the risk of acne.
We are talking about carbohydrates, that is, grains and flour products, sugar, dried fruits, sugary drinks, sweets, rolls, pasta, and, of course, fast food and snacks, which are also rich in trans fats that cause an inflammatory reaction. If you are prone to breakouts, the consumption of these products should be minimized. Really the best way to stop a pimple from forming is taking preventative measures.
Vegetables, nuts, protein and low-carb foods, olive oil, fatty fish, and meat are the ingredients of an ideal diet that acne won’t like. How to prevent pimples from growing once and for all? Try quitting bad eating habits.
7. Invest in a tea tree oil product
When it comes to preventing pimples from growing, there is really one ingredient that stands out – that is, tea tree oil. It has been a popular name in acne treatment and has many anti-inflammatory properties.
It is great for spot treatment: apply tea tree oil to where pimples form.
If you have oily skin prone to breakouts, you might consider using a cleanser or a moisturizer with tea tree oil.
8. Try to reduce stress in your life
I know, easier said than done. Managing stress is perhaps not at the top of the list on how to stop a pimple from forming, but it is worth taking into account. Stress doesn’t directly cause pimples, but it worsens their appearance. As a result, it gets even tougher to deal with pimples in the first place.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that when you are stressed out, your body releases hormones (cortisol) that make oil glands produce even more oil, which as you know causes acne, pimples, all skin flareups.
Taking up yoga, doing meditation can help you. Some people find working out as a coping mechanism with stress, so try new things and see what works the best.
9. Ask for help
Depending on your diet, stress level, and other external factors, we all develop pimples from time to time. However, if your skin experiences excessive outbreaks and they do not get treated within 4 or 6 weeks, consult with your dermatologist or endocrinologist.
And only if acne pops up very rarely, no more than 1-2 times a month, and there are few of them, you can try to remove them at home. Find the right care and experiment with store-bought creams and masks for problem skin.
Related: 5 Homemade Masks for Acne To Try Right Now
The final word
Everyone gets pimples, the main thing is about controlling them and making sure they don’t get worse. They are caused by many factors we listed above like genetics, diet, environmental aggressors, and so on.
One thing is for sure: there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to ways to stop a pimple from forming. It has to be a versatile effort so that you can see its positive result.
No matter what your skincare routine is like, consistency and patience are key in your fight to prevent pimples from growing. So, take your time and develop your own “how to stop a pimple from forming” routine based on the recommendations above.
