Treating acne effectively not only involves a good skin care treatment, but it's also important to eliminate certain risk factors or triggers which could either increase acne breakouts or reduce the effectiveness of any skin care treatment you may currently be using. In this article, we'll cover potential trigger factors to avoid which could be aggravating your acne condition. I'll also offer you better alternatives. Making these easy and simple changes should help you see better results in getting rid of acne fast.

1. Avoid harsh soaps and rough facial scrubs (granulated scrubs)

While these cleansers can help remove excess oil, they also weaken your skin's protective layer, which makes it more susceptible to acne. Also, stripping the skin of oil will only make your skin try to produce more oil to overcompensate. Try using gentle cleansers such as Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser (at drugstores). Another ingredient to avoid when choosing a facial and body cleanser is the ingredient 'sodium laureth sulfate' (found in harsh foaming facial cleansers). This ingredient tends to dry out skin since it strips your skin of oils (both the good and bad oils).

2. Avoid skin products containing synthetic alcohols, mineral oils, and petrolatum

After washing your face, use an astringent to help close up pores. Be sure your astringent contains cetyl, which is a naturally derived alcohol. This has a less drying effect than the synthetic alcohols, which should be avoided: isopropyl or cetearyl. Also, avoid moisturizers containing mineral oils and petrolatum since they tend to clog pores.

3. Avoid certain foods

Start phasing out these foods as much as possible: refined sugars (such as 'high fructose corn syrup'), excess salt, fried foods, highly processed breads and cereals. Try to also avoid alcohol, smoking, and caffeine as these can also aggravate acne symptoms. Dermatologists agree, for the most part, that no food directly causes acne. But you do need a well-balanced diet high in fiber, rich in vitamins, and raw fruits and veggies so that your body ---and especially your skin---can continue to heal and combat acne. A diet rich in vitamins and nutrients can boost your body's ability to heal skin irritations and combat inflammation and infections associated with acne.

4. Avoid popping pimples

Avoid touching your face and picking at pimples at all cost. This sometimes can be hard to avoid since your skin may itch at times, but remember that touching your face to pick at pimples or scars could help spread the infection and could lead to deep and permanent scarring. Try a moisturizer or toner with green tea extract to soothe irritated skin. Do not try to remove blackheads yourself since this can also lead to scarring. If the area around the blackheads is not irritated, try using blackhead removal strips available at drugstores.

5. Avoid over-medicating

When using over-the-counter antibacterial creams and ointments (for example, benzoyl peroxide ointment) be sure to follow the directions on the package. If you over-medicate (i.e., applying more than the recommend amount on your skin or applying it more frequently than the recommended dose), it can actually lead to clogged pores and damage your skin, which can contribute to acne.

6. Avoid certain types of makeup

Avoid oil-based makeup and applying too much. This will keep your pores from getting clogged. Be sure to go light on the foundation and choose makeup labeled 'non-comedogenic'.

7. Avoid stress

While stress doesn't cause acne, it can weaken your immune system and disrupt hormone levels. Keep in mind, though, that stress is not a major factor influencing acne---so don't stress out about it.

Combating acne is definitely a multi-prong approach. The changes suggested in this article are easy to implement and when used consistently, can really get you on the path to seeing fast results.