Avoiding bumps in the road

While no specific medication prevents breakouts, there are many treatment options.

-- At-home care: Use a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil or Dove) mornings and nights. Benzoyl peroxide (2.5 percent to 5 percent) is a topical disinfectant to help with bacteria. Avoid bar soaps and astringents (which give that tightening feeling). Soaps dry; astringents irritate because of the alcohol. Both can strip skin of its natural protective barrier. And stay away from scrubs with scratchy exfoliants. Again, they only exacerbate skin problems.

-- Sunscreen: Continue to use some form of sunscreen (preferably oil-free, SPF 30 or higher) with a zinc-oxide component. However, if you're using certain forms of vitamin A topical products on your face, check with your skin-care specialist before buying. One ingredient used in a variety of sunscreens is avobenzone. When mixed with certain acne creams or gels, it can cause irritation.

-- Bathroom shelf: For men, it's important to use a clean razor every time you shave. If it's a disposable, use and toss. If not, clean the blade with alcohol between shaves. Just rinsing won't rid the razor of bacteria. Same with tweezers: Pluck and clean with alcohol.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)