Start mild

Start your acne prevention program by washing your face once a day with a mild, 2.5 percent form of benzoyl peroxide wash. This over-the-counter medication kills the bacteria that cause acne, but you need to apply it properly. The trick is to get the medicine all over your face and on any other areas where you have acne, like your arms, chest and upper backs. If you use it only on the bumps, you won't get results. Even if you don't get results right away, stay with this mild treatment. It takes a couple of months for this topical medicine to work. You need to be patient.