Can You Prevent Acne? We Asked a Skincare Expert

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Main Image – Susana Ramirez/Stocksy

Whilst you may have accepted that you’re an acne sufferer and/or that your skin type is well and truly acne-prone, there’s still that glimmer of hope that one day we will learn how to prevent acne altogether.

I mean, it’s 2024. Surely there is a way of stopping those pesky breakouts from appearing once and for all. But let’s be real, sometimes it’s ok to admit that acne just can’t be avoided. That doesn’t mean to say we shouldn’t at least give it a shot though, right?

With help from Jessica Kerr, founder of Skin Botanist, here is some helpful info on why acne happens in the first place as well as some genius tips on how to prevent it.

What causes acne?

Sometimes it can feel like everything and anything can cause acne. Lifestyle choices, blockages, hormones and bacteria are a good place to start. “Acne is mainly caused by a mix of factors like excess oil production, dead skin cells clogging pores, inflammation, and bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes that live on your skin,” explains Kerr.

“Hormonal changes, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, or certain health conditions, can also trigger acne, as can stress and certain medications.”

Image – Ohlamourstudio/Stocksy

What are the signs that you suffer from acne?

Kerr explains, “the signs of acne include whiteheads (closed plugged pores), blackheads (open plugged pores), small red tender bumps (papules), pimples (pustules), large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules), and painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions).”

How to prevent acne

“While you can’t prevent acne entirely, you can definitely take steps to reduce its frequency and severity,” says Kerr. Good to know, right? Here are her top 5 tips.

Maintain a consistent skincare routine: Use gentle cleansers to wash your face twice a day and after sweating. Avoid harsh scrubs which can irritate your skin and worsen acne.
Choose non-comedogenic products: Whether it’s makeup, sunscreen, or moisturisers, opt for products labelled “non-comedogenic” as these are formulated to not clog pores.
Watch your diet: Some studies suggest that certain foods like dairy products and foods high in sugar and fats can trigger acne in some people. Keeping a food diary may help you identify if certain foods are causing breakouts.
Manage stress: High stress levels can increase the hormone cortisol, which in turn can worsen acne. Try stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, or regular exercise.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep your skin hydrated and healthy, which can help prevent acne.

Image – Susana Ramirez/Stocksy

My top 3 preventative acne products

As a beauty editor for 17+ years, and as someone with acne-prone skin, I’ve tested hundreds of acne-fighting formulas. Here are the three that I feel have really worked to stop my breakouts from getting worse.

1. 47 Skin Intense Mask Treatment (£24 on the 47 Skin UK website/$36 on the 47 Skin US website). This peel-off mask is left on for 20 minutes and is brilliant for soothing, calming and treating existing breakouts thanks to an ingredient called silver chitoderm which massively helps with reducing inflammation and redness.

2. Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser (£20 on the Look Fantastic UK website/$30 on the Caudalie US website). I use this consistently for my morning cleanse as it is really good at reducing my oil production. This makes me less concerned about my pores getting clogged up when wearing makeup. It is really the only water cleanser that makes a noticeable difference when it comes to reducing oil for the rest of the day. And remember, less oil sometimes means less breakouts.

3. Azelaic acid. I was given an azelaic acid prescription gel by my GP back in January and it completely got rid of the acne I had been experiencing for over a year.

To say it was miraculous might sound a bit dramatic, but it actually was. Whilst I still get the odd spot here and there, particularly when I am due for my period, the acne I was experiencing before was painful, it occurred in more than one area of my face and it was constant, without any let-up. I highly recommend asking your doctor about azelaic acid in combination with antibiotics if you feel you’ve got no other option left.

Image – 47 Skin

The takeaway

So, can you prevent acne? Well, whilst we all wish there was one magical product we could use to prevent it for good, everyone is different so, unfortunately, there isn’t a one-thing-suits-all solution.

However, there are products and ingredients available that really help to soothe and reduce breakouts – azelaic acid really worked for me – but there are also lifestyle choices you could make too, as demonstrated in Jessica Kerr’s top 5.

To recap, you could reconsider your diet, start cleansing your skin consistently and thoroughly, choose non-comedogenic products, keep drinking water and try a stress-reducing hobby like yoga.

Ultimately, someone’s success might be another person’s disappointment so, as well as doing all of the above, do a process of elimination with any recommended products and ingredients. Then, if you feel you’ve run out of options, consult your GP to see if they can help you from a medical perspective.