Your skin is the most visible parts of your body. It's important to protect your skin by keeping it clean and using sunscreen everyday.

Lately, you may have noticed acne on your face. Don't worry; this is completely normal; it happens to almost everybody.

• Whiteheads and Blackheads
• Pimples
• How to Prevent and Clear Up Acne
• When to Wear Sunscreen

Types of Acne

Whiteheads and Blackheads

• The oil glands on your face form sebum, an oily substance.
  
• When sebum blocks your pores underneath your skin, whiteheads are formed.
  
• Blackheads are basically the same as whiteheads, except that the substance clogging your pores has pushed through to the outside of your skin.

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Pimples

• Pimples start off as whiteheads, but when dirt, bacteria, and yeast in your skin combine with whiteheads, pimples are formed. Pimples get red and swollen when your body's immune system reacts against the bacteria trapped in your pores, causing inflammation.

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How to Prevent and Clear Up Acne

Wash your face daily (even twice a day). This will prevent dirt from getting into your pores and keep your face clean.

In addition:

• Use a moisturizer after washing your face (or your body will perceive that your skin is to dry and send extra oil).
  
• Try acne-clearing creams if washing is ineffective.
  
• If acne doesn't clear up using over-the-counter creams and washing, talk to your parents about seeing a doctor (a skin doctor is called a dermatologist).

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Sunscreen

When to Wear Sunscreen

It is very important to use sunscreen all year long. Even if you will only be outside for a short period of time, you should still cover up.

You should wear sunscreen whether it is cloudy or sunny,, or if you'll only be outside for a little while. This way, you are protecting yourself from getting skin cancer.

• The higher the SPF on a sunscreen, the better protection it provides.
  
• If you are worried about sunscreen giving you acne, use an oil-free kind, especially for your face.
  
• Don't forget to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours, and especially after you swim or sweat.
  
• There are two kinds of rays, UVA and UVB rays:
  • UVA rays are harmful to your body because they can lead to skin cancer and aging of your skin.
    
  • UVB rays are the kind that cause sunburn.

So remember: even though you cannot control acne or the sun, you can treat and prevent skin problems and keep your skin healthy.

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