Acne is frustrating, especially for men who have moved on from their high school days and their skin hasn’t. Men tend to have larger pores, which, in turn, produce more oil. While oilier skin means a less dry and aged-looking complexion, this can also mean more blackheads and acne. It’s important to keep in mind that while it may feel like a hopeless cause, it really isn’t. There are many ways to treat acne, which affects millions of people every day. The following tips are specially designed to help men’s skin bounce back from recurring breakouts.

Choose the Right Products

When it comes to skincare, buying products based on skin type should be at the top of your priorities list. Evaluate your skin to find the most effective skincare products for men with acne. A basic skincare routine should include a cleanser, exfoliant, toner, mask and moisturizer. In addition to these must-haves, some of the best acne products for men include ingredients such as: salicylic acid, witch hazel and sulfur, which help to dry up and heal pimples and cystic breakouts. There are even special creams that have a slightly concealing tint, which acts as undetectable make up for male acne.

Exfoliate the Skin Regularly

Fortunately, men have thicker skin, which means that they can exfoliate almost every day. This essential step helps to untrap ingrown hairs and buff away dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts. Use gentle, circular motions to move the product across the face. Since the skin around the eyes tends to be thinner and less oily, avoid using a scrub in this area. After exfoliating, you can apply a treatment mask or toner, then an acne serum and oil-free moisturizer to nourish the skin and target any existing breakouts.

Don’t Pick at Your Face

This is one of the golden rules of skincare, but don’t worry if you’ve broken this “clear complexion commandment.” It can be tempting to manually extract acne, but there are more reasons not to. Picking, popping and squeezing blemishes is a great way to help bacteria migrate under the surface of the skin, which can cause even more breakouts. Aside from this, it can also lead to scarring and dark spots. Sometimes a small pimple can be aggravated into an erupted lesion by picking at it. Instead, rely on effective products to lessen the severity of your acne.

Pay Attention to Your Skin

As the temperature changes, so do your skin’s needs. The fluctuating environment from summer to winter, and vice versa, can cause breakouts because your skin is trying to adjust but not getting the attention it needs. During the warm months, pay more attention to controlling excess oil. The cooler months can sometimes be drying to the skin, and it may be necessary to use more moisturizer to nourish and replenish the skin’s water content. Be mindful of your skin throughout the year.

Stay Hydrated, Well-Rested and Healthy

Give your body a fair shot to fight acne by drinking plenty of water each day, getting enough sleep and feeding your body healthy and nutritious foods. The skin is the largest organ of the body; therefore, it reacts to every choice we make regarding our health. Treat it well, and it will show appreciation back. Acne is a troubling skin condition that causes unnecessary stress. With a little understanding men can create a simple and effective regimen geared toward beating breakouts once and for all!

Sara Kosmyna is a freelance writer and licensed cosmetologist with over five years of professional experience. She has written a number of essays and articles on beauty, career, happiness, and self-improvement. Her work has been published in print and online. She works for Mario Badescu Skin Care.