Nothing is worse than waking up with a breakout. You can be the most thorough with your skincare, completely stress-free, and getting tons of sleep, and still wake up plagued with a breakout. And the only thing worse than waking up with a pimple is waking up with a pimple that’s under your skin. They’re painful, and getting rid of them seems like an impossible task.

Unlike more topical pimples, like blackheads or whiteheads, under the skin pimples are especially challenging to get rid of. One of the best ways to treat under the skin pimples is with prevention, but there are a few ways you can manage them once they start to form:

1Stop picking

Yes, I’m talking to you, person who is 2 inches away from their bathroom mirror, squeezing a pimple that shouldn’t be squeezed. We’ve all been there before, but picking an under the skin pimple is the worst thing you could do for it. Picking at it can spread the bacteria to other parts of your face and can lead to further infection in the pimple. Continuously picking a pimple can also lead to scarring. So, take this as a public announcement from me to you: back away from the bathroom mirror and take your hands away from your face!!

2Wash your face

Regularly cleansing your skin is the first step in preventing and treating breakouts. It’s essential to thoroughly clean your skin out of all the makeup and dirt, so you start your skincare routine on a clean surface. Gentle cleansers are perfect for cleaning your skin without leaving any irritation. Following up with toners, moisturizers, serums, and topical acne solutions will improve your skincare routine even further.

3Try steam

A steam machine for your skin might sound unnecessary, but for people dealing with under the surface acne, it can be beneficial. Steaming your skin is like opening up all the pores to releasing all the built-up junk. Steaming is something you can do at home or with the help of a dermatologist.

4Self-care

Yes, self-care is as essential for your skin as it is for your mental health. If you feel like your skin has been more prone to breakouts than usual, you should try getting in touch with your self-care. Ensuring you’re getting enough sleep, eating properly, working out, and stressing less are perfect ways to improve your self-care and therefore improve your skin.