Most teens wind up with zits. It's a fact of life. A quick tip from my personal experience: take your vitamins. I discovered the effect of vitamins on my complexion by accident. Mom had been nagging me to take my vitamins, so I gave in and had a one-a-day during a nasty breakout.

When I woke the next morning, my red, inflamed skin was quieting down. It was actually healing. Clearasil presents a problem for me, because I have "sensitive" skin and that stuff dries my skin out like I'm channelling the Sahara, so vitamins are a much more viable option.

The last thing that guys want to hear is "facial cleansers", I know, but vitamins only go so far for anyone. They heal from the inside out; keeping your face clean gives it a chance to heal from the outside in. Use some Noxema or something. Claim it belongs to your mom or sister if you get embarrassed about it, but keep your pores clean. Girls have an easier time of it--we're encouraged to buy silly products that foam or lather--but that doesn't excuse slovenly habits on anyone's part.

Tea-tree oil has a rep for nipping zits in the bud, but I'd recommend that you check with a reputable herbalist first. Chamomile steams, oatmeal and honey masks, there are more natural-style remedies than you can shake a stick at.

So clean up your face. Steam it, mask it, baste it with herbs and chemicals--but always take your vitamins.