Two words: Don’t pick. Two more words: Don’t pick. Sounds like a broken record? Well, so did Gross for the number of times he drilled that advice into us. Why you ask? (You’re such a rebel.) Gross says picking may make the situation worse, and may even permanently, yes permanently, enlarge your pores. “If the temptation is too much, try washing your face with a clean washcloth. If the pimple is ready to ‘pop,’ this is all the pressure needed to drain it,” he says.

Alternately, you can try wearing mittens, it makes it very hard to squeeze pimples — or do anything else, but hey, sacrifices must be made for beauty.