Never underestimate the power of the pimple. Sorry to say, but if one has sprouted then it already is a lost cause. Your next best bet is to take precautions when dealing with said enemy. Part of the problem may be in how you deal with breakouts once they have struck. Bad habits breed even more blemishes.

1. Don’t Over-Cleanse
Yup, There is such a thing as too much cleansing. Major rinsing leaves skin dry and prone to oil production. Oil builds up leaving a bevy of issues in its wake — clogged pores, shiny foreheads, and the inevitable breakout. Stick to washing your face twice a day to give your face a breather without sacrificing cleanliness.

2. Don’t Exfoliate Too Often
there’s nothing more you love than a good scrub to banish all that dead skin, however you must tread lightly — over-exfoliate and you might leave your skin irritated. No one likes blotchy red patches, and this will only prolong pimple life.

3. Don’t OverDo On Product
On the acne fighting wagon, you can go ahead & splurge one or two pimple preventive cream but don’t go overboard. Your skin is sensitive and though you may think the more, the better, it may prove to be the opposite. Zit-fighting products are already packed full of chemicals that are harsh on the face, so remember: a little goes a long way.

4. Don’t Avoid The Dermatologist
Never avoid going to the doctor by thinking you’ll be your own dermatologist. If your breakouts start causing serious issues, book an appointment ASAP. Inflamed pimples that go untreated may turn into cystic acne, so chin up and head to the dermatologist.

5. Don’t Sleep In Your Makeup
Long days? no energy? burning desire to just crawl into pajamas and call it a night? While cloud nine may be especially tempting, always ensure that you properly remove makeup before catching a few zzz’s. Sleeping in your falsies and smokey eye after long day may seems like the right idea, but maybe you’re just inviting flare-ups to happen. Overnight, makeup can accumulate and clog your pores, resulting in more pimples.

6. Don’t Pop Your Pimples
There is torture, and then there is that zit begging to be popped. Excercise control — while deflating that pimple is incredibly tempting, you are putting your skin at risk by not going to a professional. Popping and picking pimples prolongs healing time and raises the risk of scarring.

May radiant, zit-free skin be in the cards for your future.

Credit: Bustle