• Shampoo your hair regularly. But avoid oily shampoos, hair gels and conditioners, which dermatologist Katz says can cause acne when your hair rubs against your face during the day or while you sleep.
• Don't use oil-based makeup or other products. For example, girls who wear foundation should look for the word noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label. Avoid moisturizers all together — they aren't needed for oily skin — or if you need a moisturizer for dry portions of skin, look for the same words on the label, and apply the product only to the dry sections.
• Don't kid yourself that a summer tan can outwit acne. A tan can mask your pimples, but only temporarily. Wearing an oil-free sunscreen, such as a gel or light lotion, won't aggravate your acne and can help you avoid potentially deadly skin cancer in your adult years. Some acne treatments can actually increase your skin's sun sensitivity, making it even more important to wear sunscreen when outside. When these steps alone don't control your acne, two main categories of medicines may help suppress mild cases without a doctor's help:
• Benzoyl peroxide. Available in creams, lotions, and gels, benzoyl peroxide can destroy the bacteria associated with acne, typically taking two weeks to work.
• Salicylic acid. Available, like benzoyl peroxide, in lotions and creams as well as some pads, salicylic acid helps to unclog pores to treat and prevent blemishes.

Stepping Up the Fight Against Acne
If your skin problems persist though you've tried over-the-counter products, a dermatologist can tailor a more potent acne treatment for your skin type and condition.

Following are the most commonly used treatment options, each of which carries risks that your doctor should discuss with you.

• Antibiotics. This class of medicines can kill acne-causing bacteria and are often taken in combination with other drugs that unclog pores. Oral antibiotics can help more severe types of acne than the topical ones (placed on the skin).