Overview

Foxnews.com says acne is the most common of skin conditions. About 40 to 50 million Americans suffer from acne. Acne occurs at any age, although most commonly with teenagers. While there is no cure that works for everyone's acne, following a good regimen twice a day can help treat and prevent acne. It is important to follow a regimen consistently to avoid reoccurrence.

Cleansing

Properly washing your face is essential for the well-being of your skin. According to acne.org, it also helps your skin absorb acne treatments more easily. Wash three times a day at the most. Overwashing can dry out the skin and lead to more breakouts. Choose a cleanser that is gentle and suited for your skin type. Rub the cleanser in a circular motion with your fingertips, and rinse thoroughly. Pat dry.

Medication

Once skin is completely dry, acne.org says to apply an acne treatment. The most widely used acne fighters are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Rub the product onto the entire infected area, making sure to avoid the sensitive eye area. Allow to dry for 5 to 15 minutes. Do not rinse off. Because redness and dryness can occur, it is important to use only a small amount of acne medication at first.

Moisturizing

According to the Mayo Clinic, moisturizers help hold moisture in the skin. A gentle moisturizer should be applied after the acne medication has dried. Use an oil-free moisturizer for acne-prone skin, as oil can clog pores and create more acne. In addition, avoid any moisturizer that is scented. Moisturizer will help your skin stay soft and prevent any flaking the acne medication may cause. Some moisturizers even contain SPF to help prevent sun damage.

Masks

Masks are great for the skin and can be used about once a week. Overuse can strip the skin of moisture. Several different types of masks are good for acne-prone skin, such as products that contain sulfur or clay. Clay is highly beneficial for skin, says proactiveacnecreamtreatment.com. It absorbs excess oil and removes the top layer of dead skin cells. Sulfur also removes dead skin and contains natural antibacterial agents that help kill acne.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation removes blackheads, excess oil and dead skin. Cosmopolitan.com says it is safe to exfoliate your face every day, but indiaparenting.com suggests exfoliating every other day or twice a week. After cleansing skin, apply a face scrub onto wet skin and rub in gentle circles. After rinsing, follow with an application of moisturizer.