Rashes, blotches, pimples and flaking are what you don’t want when you’re going to an important event. A flaming, throbbing zit can wreak havoc with your walk down the red carpet or the aisle. Film directors have been known to hold up movie production because of a breakout, but the Oscars wait for no man.

Celebrities secure their faces against disaster with an arsenal of expensive weapons. But, how can you keep yourself blemish free? The April 2011 issue of Glamour gathers its own arsenal of inexpensive drugstore products and items straight off your kitchen shelves to protect your face against acne, dullness and dryness. For those who feel flush, Glamour also talks about expensive celebrity fixes.

If you’re on a budget and suffer from chronic acne, try products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid; used consistently they will clear up most skin over six to 12 weeks. If you feel a pimple coming on, try a preemptive blow with Clearasil Ultra Pimple Blocker Pen for $10. But if a monster zit pops up right before your wedding, it’s time to pull out all stops; for $125 a cortisone shot will flatten your blemish within 36 hours.

Photodynamic therapy is used on celebs who are cursed with acne. An amino acid medication is applied to the face and a blue light is shined on it for up to an hour to activate the liquid. The two-step process works best administered four times at a cost of $2,500 to $4,000.

Even the brightest star can lose her glow. The trick is to remove old layers (exfoliate) so that the products you use can penetrate. Microdermabrasion polishes the face with tiny crystals, sloughing away dead skin cells, preparing the skin to absorb anti-aging creams. Facial peels that contain papain enzymes or lactic acid smooth the skin surface, boosting radiance. For a do-it-at-home peel, take chunks of papaya mixed with egg whites and spread it over your face to form a mask. Leave the mask on for ten minutes, rinse and moisturize. Alternately, especially if your skin is sensitive, buff your face with a wet washcloth and a gentle cream cleanser, and then massage oil into your skin.

When regular moisturizer is not enough, celebs luxuriate in a $250, hour-long immersion in hyaluronate, which helps skin retain water. Alternately, steam can go a long way. Boil a pot of water, remove it from the heat and lean over it so that steam hits your face. For a moisture mask, combine honey and oatmeal, smooth it on, wait 10 to 15 minutes and then wipe off with a washcloth.

If you have a persistent skin condition that does not respond to home treatment, you may be in need of prescription medication or in-office procedures. Contact a board-certified plastic surgeon from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery or a board-certified dermatologist.