If you suffer from acne breakouts, you probably feel like you've read every "How to Prevent Acne" guide on the internet. You may feel as if you've tried every cream, serum, and treatment on the market. If this hasn't resulted in perfectly clear skin, don't fret. Keep reading for great tips on how to beat breakouts once and for all.

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Change Your Shampoo
Do you have breakouts around your hairline? If so, you may need to change your shampoo, conditioner or other hair care products. Acne-causing hair products often contain ingredients like preservatives and artificial fragrances. To remedy your hairline situation, look for shampoos and conditioners that are sulfate-, fragrance- and preservative-free.

Read the Labels on Your Makeup
When you have acne, using makeup can be a vicious cycle. You cover your acne with concealer and foundation, but if your makeup clogs your pores it may cause more acne. But if you choose your makeup carefully, you don't need to worry about clogged pores and new breakouts. Make sure that all of the makeup you use is labeled as non-comedogenic, which means that it won't clog pores. If you're acne-prone, you should also ditch products that contain heavy oils, like cocoa butter.

Clean Makeup Brushes Are Key
If you're wondering how to prevent acne but haven't washed your makeup brushes in a while, go do it now. The brushes and sponges you use to apply foundation and blush can carry a lot of bacteria. You should wash makeup brushes at least once every week to ensure they aren't responsible for your breakouts.

Salicylic Acid
No guide for how to prevent acne would be complete without mentioning salicylic acid. This acne-busting ingredient is one of the best defenses against unwanted breakouts. It works by removing the dead skin cells that get trapped in pores and lead to acne. Stridex Maximum Strength Pads, $7, are a popular option.

Invest in a Water Purifier
Not all water is created equal. If you've been washing your face with hard water, it may be triggering your breakouts. That's because hard water contains high concentrations of pore-clogging minerals. When you use hard water to cleanse your skin, it leaves behind a filmy residue chock full of these minerals. This residue can cause everything from breakouts to eczema. If your home or apartment has hard water, save your skin by installing a purifier on your shower heads and faucets. Your face will thank you.

Clean Your Cell Phone
Do you frequently get breakouts on your chin or cheeks? Your cell phone may be the culprit. Cell phone screens carry an unsavory amount of bacteria, and when you talk on the phone, these bacteria can clog pores and cause acne. If you're wondering how to prevent acne from cell phones, the answer is simple. Clean your screens regularly with an antibacterial cleanser.