Unfortunately, acne can strike at any age. Over 85% of all people 12–24 have acne. Acne can also start as late as ages 20s or 30s…especially in women, whose hormones are constantly fluctuating.

Touching, picking or popping your pimples increases the chances that bacteria will spread into the surrounding pores, causing more blemishes to appear. It can also damage delicate tissue, making the blemish more likely to leave a scar.

An acne blemish begins when dead skin cells mix with your body’s natural oil, forming a plug in your pores. Since this has nothing to do with dirt, frequent washing will not make your acne better.

Since acne is not caused by dirt, overwashing or stripping skin with alcohol won’t make blemishes go away. In fact, frequent cleansing can make skin dry and flaky, stimulating the production of extra oil. And that leads to… you guessed it… more zits.

No, those french fries you had yesterday didn’t give you new zits today. In fact, scientists have been unable to find ANY substantial connection between diet and acne. Just remember: a healthy, balanced diet is important for the health of your skin…so try to avoid junk food.

Most make-ups today are non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog your pores. When shopping for cosmetics, look for products that are non-comedogenic, oil-free (water-based) and hypoallergenic (no added fragrance).

Since blemishes take 2-3 weeks to develop, "spot treatment" may get rid of individual pimples…but it won’t stop acne from coming back again and again. The best way to treat acne is to stop the blemishes from developing in the first place — which means treating the whole face or area every day, even when you aren’t breaking out.

While small amounts of sun exposure may superficially improve skin tone, continuous sunbathing increases plugging of the pores — producing comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and small pimples. And of course, sun exposure carries more serious risks, like skin cancer and premature aging.

While acne is not a serious threat to your physical health, it can take a toll on your emotional well-being. It affects the way you feel about yourself and the world around you, causing low self-esteem and even depression.

There is no cure for acne. But fortunately, you can help prevent and control acne with continued daily use of products, such as Proactiv® Solution, which contain powerful acne-fighting ingredients. And remember this: Even if your blemishes go away, your acne is not cured. It’s important to be diligent about your treatment plan, even after your skin is clear.