Acne can be quite a bane for all concerned about their looks and appearance. This is typically a teenage skin problem even though the effects may be lasting for a long time after the teenage years have gone by. Though acne is often caused by factors beyond one's control yet timely care and attention can ensure that the problem is kept under considerable check. Certain skin care basics are to be followed alongside adopting internal health care measures.

It is the effect of sebaceous glands in the skin which give rise to this condition. However, the root cause is the secretion of certain hormones in various proportions in an imbalanced manner. It may be noted that using harsh skin care products and skin dehydration can also cause acne or pimples or aggravate the situation. In order to control the situation by external measures these basic skin care measures can be advantageously taken:

- Exfoliation of the skin on a periodic basis is to be done which will help get rid of the dead cells blocking the pores in the skin. Thus the excessive oil secretion by sebaceous glands upon blockage of the pores which worsens the acne condition can be kept at bay.

- Harsh skin care products are to be shunned at all costs. These dry out the skin and cause the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil which makes the acne situation all the more worse. Instead, usage of a good quality non-oily moisturizer is highly recommended to prevent dehydration of the skin and keep it supple and soft.

- Following on a daily basis the regimen of cleansing, toning and moisturizing is the best means of taking care of the skin in an effort to treat acne situation and prevent occurrence of acne in acne prone skin. This is preferably to be done twice a day- in the morning before going out to work and in the evening after returning home and removing makeup. This will also help counter a host of other problems of the skin like pimples etc.

Some mild (herbal based or other) cleanser will be the best suited. The toner or astringent and moisturizers should also be preferably mild preparations so as to prevent the risk of producing any harsh effect on the skin. The work of the toner or astringent will be to tighten the skin and contract the pores so that oil secretion is suppressed and acne, pimples and the like are checked.