Nobody likes to have adult acne, or even acne for that matter. It’s annoying, painful, and let’s face it (no pun intended!), not very attractive. Treating your acne can seem like an extremely daunting and challenging task. And if you treat your acne incorrectly, it can cause permanent scarring that will be with you for the rest of your life.

With that being said, doing your best to prevent acne in the first place is the easiest way to not have to worry about treating it after the fact. Here are some preventive steps you can take to tone down break outs and even clear up the ones you already have, in a safe and effective way.

Follow this simple 7-step regimen and watch your skin glow in no time.

Step 1: Wash Your Face

Even though some studies will show that hygiene isn’t necessarily connected to acne, it doesn’t take a dermatologist to understand having dust and excess oils on your skin will only clog up pores and lead to break outs. Using a formulated acne cleanser is recommended for this step. If you have normal skin, you will want to wash your face with the cleanser twice a day. If you have dry skin, start with only once a day and be careful not to irritate your skin.

Step 2: Apply Acne Medication

For this step you will want to use acne gel or cream containing benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria in the pores and can help dry up excess oil. After washing your face, take a nickel-sized amount and massage the medication lightly into the pores until it is no longer visible.

Also, this isn’t a good time to be popping your pimples. This technique is what causes an acne scar to form. To help protect yourself against permanent scarring, wait as long as you can before removing the puss, or black portion of the pimple.

Step 3: Apply a Moisturizer

Since using cleaners and medication will dry up your skin, it is important to apply moisturizer. If you skip this step, after a week or two (or even sooner depending on your skin type), your face will turn bright red, become sore and start to peel. To prevent this, gently massage the moisturizer in just like you did with the acne medicine in the previous step.

Step 4: Exfoliate

Once a week or so you will want to use an exfoliator to get rid of dead skin cells on your face. An excess of dead skin cells can clog pores, trap bacteria and lead to break outs. Most exfoliators will contain salicylic acid. A dermatologist can prescribe more powerful medication, but salicylic acid should be just fine in most cases.

Step 5: Use a Mask

Once a week you should also apply a facial mask of your liking. Facial masks are great for soothing irritated skin and help promote blood circulation. Masks also help with reddening, soreness, and itching caused by acne.

Step 6: Eat Healthier

Like hygiene, there is no direct evidence that diet causes acne. However, the antioxidants in fruits and vegetables will give your immune system a boost, strengthening your protection against acne-causing bacteria. You should also substitute soda and coffee with water whenever possible.

Step 7: Exercise Regularly

Exercise is good for your body in many ways, including acne treatment. Exercising stimulates the release of serotonin, which will help alleviate stress that could normally lead to acne. Exercise helps the body get rid of waste materials by enhancing metabolic functions.

By following these simple steps, you will be well on your way to controlling your acne. Remember that you can only do so much, as genetics and hormones play the biggest role in acne breakouts. But don’t let nature get the best of you. If these steps don’t work for you, consulting a dermatologist may be a good idea.