Free Acne Tips Blog

Privacy Policy

2009-03-30T05:19:00.001-07:00

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Acne Prevention Tips - Top 10 Tips

2008-03-06T06:33:00.000-08:00

People of all ages suffer, at one time or another, with acne problems. People are always looking for acne prevention tips, to help them clear up their problems. For some, especially teenagers, acne can be a very embarrassing situation. Below is a list of acne prevention tips that you can follow to help you have a clear complexion in no time at all.

Most all of the tips that are listed below are things that you can do right in your own home without having to seek the advice of a doctor. A lot of the treatments mentioned are natural things that you might already have in your cupboard.

1. Your hair can play a big factor in your acne condition as hair has oil in it. Many people that have bangs, find that they have problems with acne on their forhead. This could be due to the oil that is in hair hanging in the face.
2. Be sure to exercise on a regular basis to help keep good blood flow to your entire body. This will help to remove the toxins from the body and in turn, it will help keep your skin happy and healthy.
3. Vitamin A will help reduce the sebum production. It helps to prevent acne as well as protecting your skin. You should take a vitamin A supplement daily.
4. Water helps to hydrate your skin, making your overall complexion better. It is important to get the recommended daily amount of water which is the least 8 to 10 glasses of 8 ounces of water daily.
5. Try to stay away from alcohol-based lotions and creams as they can tent to dry your skin out which will cause more breakouts.
6. Be sure to wash your pillowcase at least every other day as it holds the oils and dirt from your skin from the previous day.
7. When washing your face try not to do excessive rubbing or scrubbing to it. This can irritate the situation so you want to gently clean your face.
8. It has been shown that zinc deficiencies can cause acne breakouts. Try to keep zinc rich foods in the house so you can maintain a proper level.
9. Watch as to what kind of makeup you use as it can actually make the skin more oily or give you dry patches. Sometimes when you think you're doing your skin good, you can actually be doing it more harm.
10. Foods that you can use at home: Some people use the juice of a raw papaya to help take the swelling out of pimples. The pulp from a ripe tomato, can be used by placing it on the areas of the breakout and leaving it on for at least an hour. Be sure to get the right amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. This will help keep your body regular and healthy. Honey can be used as a mask on the face at least once a week. It is been known to kill bacteria that is found in your skin and it's a great way for healing acne.

Home Remedies for Stopping Acne

2008-03-06T06:10:00.000-08:00

Acne is a universal problem for teenagers. What causes it and how to cure it is still an unanswered question. Acne affected youth go from pole to post looking for all kinds of remedies to clear their complexions. Of all possible home remedies, many are not proven remedies for all skin types.

The cosmetics industry today frequently introduces new creams and lotions as they try to cash in on the acne problem. But the best remedies devoid of any side effects are only found through home remedies. By using natural ingredients, acne can be treated effectively. Apart from diminishing facial beauty, acne poses a major emotional and mental threat to teenagers. The more they fight with problem, the more the acne increases and makes them lose their self confidence.

Let us first consider what creates acne and the biological and scientific reasons behind it. A philosebaceous unit disorder causes acne. This unit is made up of sebaceous gland, hair follicle and a hair. It is present all over the body but occurs more on the face, chest and neck. The sebum, which works as the moisturizer for the skin, is produced by the sebaceous gland. Under the influence of androgen, these glands produce more sebum during adolescence.

Bacteria called propionibacterium acnes feeds on these sebum and people who have acne have this bacteria in their follicles. Keeping the skin well cleansed and moisturized can minimize bacterial growth and permit a clear complexion free of acne. Some common home remedies for stopping acne include:

• Healthy diet filled with adequate vitamins and minerals
• Drinking lots of water in order to cleanse the digestive system which is another contributor to the development of acne
• Orange peels, garlic and lemon juice are proven home remedies for stopping acne
• Aloe Vera plays a major role for treating acne. It can be used as both internal medicine and for external applications
• Tea tree oil has the capacity to fight bacteria and hence is an effective acne remedy
• Paste of fenugreek leaves is also a good home remedy to stop acne
• Oatmeal, avocados, lettuce, apple cedar juice, carrot juice etc are all natural remedies for acne.

Many diet plans and fasting are recommended by naturopathic practitioners. Acne is generally associated with the changing food habits of youth. Too much fatty and oily intake causes acne. Thus, abstaining from such food and eating healthy wholesome meals and drinking lots of water can contribute to acne free skin. However, very acute acne must be treated by a dermatologist although home remedies can also be given side-by-side. Acne is a treatable disorder and young people need not panic or stress over this problem. Anxiety will only increase the disorder. A patient and cool attitude can help one over a temporary acne attack. Eat healthy, sleep at least 6-8 hours each day and drink lots of water to keep acne at bay.

Acne Scar Cure

2008-02-24T23:15:00.000-08:00

Acne scars result from acne breakouts, but are actual scars that remain on the face. Most individuals with severe acne will experience acne scars, and they cannot be removed with regular face washes or acne products. Luckily, there are plenty of acne scar cures available, which help to remove scars and make them appear less noticeable.

Prevention
The most important cure for acne scars is prevention. Although not all breakouts can be prevented, maintaining a regular face wash routine can prevent acne from occurring in the first place. By preventing acne, no scars will be able to result.

It is also important to take care of your acne once it has occurred, since further irritation can lead to scars. Do not pick at or pop your acne, since this will increase the likelihood that a scar will appear. Touching your face can also irritate your acne, so only touch your face when your hands are clean, and when necessary to wash your face.

Exfoliation
Most acne scars are on the top layer of skin, and can eventually be removed through exfoliation. Exfoliation products use soft beads or crystals to gently get rid of the top layer of dead skin cells, in order to promote new skin cell growth. By using an exfoliation product once every few days, you can get rid of dead skin cells and make acne scars appear less noticeable.

You should make sure and use an exfoliation product that is gentle, because you won’t want to cause any irritation to your skin. Also, start off your routine by only exfoliating once every couple of days, and then increase as your skin gets used to the new product.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A works to promote new cell growth, which helps to get rid of old skin cells that may be scarred because of acne. You can purchase acne products that contain vitamin A, or choose to purchase a scar remover product from your local drug store. No matter which method you choose, vitamin A should be the main ingredient to ensure you are targeting your acne scars.

Antibiotics
Some dermatologists may prescribe antibiotics for severe acne, which can also help clear up any existing scars. Because antibiotics have side effects and risk factors, they are only prescribed to those with severe acne that cannot be cured through a regular face washing routine. Some side effects of acne fighting antibiotics include hair loss, nausea, muscular pain, excessive itching, and some birth defects.

Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic procedures are commonly used to reduce the appearance of acne scars, but they can be very expensive. Laser therapy is commonly used to get rid of acne scars, as well as the Bioskin Treatment which involves using crystals to smooth out the top layer of skin. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels can also help to reduce acne scars, since they remove the top layer of skin and promote new cell growth.

There are all types of acne cures available, some of which are more effective than others. The most important step in curing acne scars is prevention, since none of the above mentioned cures would be necessary if acne scars were not present.

Acne Cream Treatment

2008-02-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Every person that suffers from acne is always on the lookout a good acne cream treatment that will be that miracle and make it all disappear. Not only is acne a major cause of embarrassment for adolescents, teens and adults, but it is also a source of physical irritation and soreness that can be troublesome to control.

What Acne Is

In the medical field, acne is considered a disease. Acne is a general term that includes pimples, plugged pores and nodules that effect the face, chest, back, neck, upper arms and shoulder regions of the body.

Over The Counter Acne Cream Treatment

There are many brands of over the counter acne cream treatments. Some are more effective than others, but it is the active ingredients within these treatments that do the work at controlling this condition. Knowing what these active ingredients do can better help you determine your purchase when looking at the active ingredient listing on the products label.

Acetone and Alcohol

Combined together, the alcohol and acetone work as a degreaser in the acne effected area of the body. This helps to remove body oils and bacteria that feed into the pores and keep the area clean.

Resorcinol and Sulfur

Resorcinol is a very popular active ingredient that is often combined with sulfur to aid in controlling small acne lesions. Many over the counter creams and medications use this combination in a variety of acne creams and medications.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is used in controlling non-inflammatory acne by helping to correct the abnormal shedding of dead skin cells and unclogging skin pores around the effected area. Any acne cream treatments that use this as a major active ingredient usually requires continuous use or the acne problem will return.

Bensoyl Peroxide

Like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide works in the same way to remove dead skin cells and should be used continuously. This active agent for treating acne is used most widely in the over the counter variety of medications available.

Acne Scar Removal Creams

These acne scar removal creams are a good place to start reducing the scarring effects that acne can cause some people to suffer. These types of acne treatment creams are available at pharmacies and sometimes only available with a prescription. The best acne scar removal creams are those that address the scarring issues and also fight at reducing the frequency of breakouts.

There are basically two types of these type creams available. The first being those that rely heavily on chemicals in their products to control the acne breakouts and reduce scarring. The second choice are those products that are more of a natural, or herbal way of addressing the acne and scarring issue.

One treatment cream might work great for one person to clear up the problem. But someone else might use the same product and experience little, if any, relief from their symptoms.

Some of these products are very potent and should only be used in effect areas, where blemishes exist. Some of these potent varieties also can cause their own skin irritations if used too much, or too often.

Many of these acne scar removal creams have formulas that can use a variety of chemical ingredients to address the acne that heavy sufferers experience. When using the over the counter variety of these type products, it is sometimes a trial and error situation.

Proactiv Acne Cream

2008-02-21T20:34:00.000-08:00

Acne is a problem that can affect any age, ranging from babies all the way up to adults. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by dirt or greasy foods. Acne results when hair follicles become clogged, with oil, dead skin cells, or sebum, the material produced to keep the skin moist. The pores become clogged weeks before a pimple actually develops, so the best way to avoid acne is to keep your pores clean on a regular basis.

This is where Proactiv Acne Cream comes in. Because acne cannot be cured, it is important to keep the skin clean on a regular basis. Proactiv offers a three step face care system that works to keep the pores clean on a daily basis, as well as helps to heal the skin once acne has occurred. Unlike over-the-counter products, Proactiv works on the entire face, rather than just targeting one pimple at a time. It works to clear up already existing pimples in only a few days, and prevents further breakouts from occurring.

The first step in the Proactiv Acne Cream system is the Renewing Cleanser, which works to gently exfoliate the skin and clean them out using benzoyl peroxide. It clears the skin of dead skin cells and excess oils, but does so without causing irritation to the skin. It is an oil-free formula that contains small grains, which makes it possible to penetrate the pores to kill bacteria and prevent acne from occurring. When applied, it gives a soothing and tingly sensation, which lets the user know it is working to heal the skin and get rid of stubborn acne.

The second step is the Revitalizing Toner, which is a refreshing, alcohol-free toner that helps to soothe the skin after washing. When applied to the face with a cotton ball or pad, the toner helps to wipe away dead skin cells and supplies the pores with bacteria killing agents. The soothing botanicals help to even out your skin tone, and remove excess oil to keep your skin looking fresh all day long. It can be worn right under makeup, and can keep your skin feeling hydrated all day long.

The final step in the Proactiv Acne cream treatment is the Repairing Lotion, which actually protects the skin from future breakouts. It is a thin, oil-free product that feels light on the face, and uses benzoyl peroxide to heal acne that has already occurred. It works to soothe the skin after exfoliation, and closes the pores to prevent them from being clogged.

Proactiv also offers many other products, all which target the direct cause of acne. With a wide variety of lotions, skin masks, and other acne targeting products, the Proactiv Acne Cream system makes it possible to get clear skin and keep it that way. Some of the products are offered for free when packages are purchased, while others can be purchased in a wide variety of sizes. When the three step system is used on a regular basis, once in the morning and once at night, getting rid of acne and preventing it from returning can happen in only a few short weeks.

Natural Acne Skin Care

2008-02-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

Your skin is the largest organ of the body, so it only makes sense to take good care of it. This means keeping it clean and healthy on a regular basis, in order to prevent acne, aging, and other skin problems from occurring. The best way to keep your skin healthy is to use natural acne skin care products, since they naturally work to maintain skin health.

Over-The-Counter Products
Even though there are a wide variety of great skin care products on the market, many of them contain harsh chemicals that can actually irritate the skin. Instead, you should use natural acne skin care products, since they contain natural ingredients that actually mimic the properties of your skin. You should avoid purchasing anything with ingredients that you cannot pronounce, because most likely they are manufactured and can cause irritation to your skin.

Natural Acne Skin Care Remedies
You can actually save money by treating your acne from home, rather than purchasing something from your local drug store. You can use natural ingredients right from your kitchen, and they work just as well if not better than something you would purchase. Natural fruit juices, oatmeal, and even some spices can work wonders on your skin, and the only side effect is clear, healthy looking skin.

One remedy that works great on swollen pimples is toothpaste. Dab a small amount on any inflamed pimples before you go to bed, and when you wake up they will appear much smaller than the night before. The toothpaste works to dry out the oils causing the pimple, and also helps to reduce swelling and redness overnight.

The natural acidity found in lemons, limes, and even oranges can also be beneficial, since it can actually kill the bacteria that are causing the acne. Squeeze a fresh piece and apply over the affected area, and the pimple should fade away in only a few days. The juice can also help to balance the PH in your skin, which will make it appear even and healthy when used on a regular basis.

Vinegar is commonly used as an antibacterial agent, and it works just as well on your skin. Mix a little salt with some white vinegar, and apply to your entire face like a mask. Leave on for a few minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Your face will be acne free in only a few days, and this mixture can keep new pimples from occurring when used once a day.

Freshly ground nutmeg mixed with milk makes an amazing repairing mask, since they two ingredients actually work to heal and sooth your skin. You can apply it to your entire face, and rinse off after it has had a few minutes to soak in. When applied every morning, your acne will disappear without leaving any scars or blemishes behind.

Why Use Home Remedies?
Because acne is caused by clogged pores, the best way to get rid of it is by unclogging the pores and preventing them from getting clogged again. By using all natural ingredients, your pores can become unclogged without suffering from many of the side effects that over-the-counter products have. Natural ingredients will not cause scarring, irritation, or any type of reaction, but instead will soothe, repair, and heal your skin.

How Do I Get Rid Of Old Acne Scars?

2008-02-21T20:28:00.000-08:00

Getting rid of old acne scars is a problem most acne sufferers have been in search of eliminating, or controlling for ages. It is bad enough to suffer the blemishes that acne can cause. It is even more frustrating to experience the scars that the acne left behind as a testament that you still must be reminded of the acne from the scars left in acne's wake.

Are there available treatments for getting rid of acne scars and do they work? The answer to this question is yes. There are natural treatments available to treat this condition with. Because they are natural remedies, there are no side effects that many chemical treatments can cause.

Many of the chemically based treatments will actually cause skin irritations and reactions to the medications that are on the market today. Some of these preparations are only recommended for a short duration because of the chemical make up of these products.

There are natural home remedies that do work toward getting rid of old acne scars. Using lemon juice and rose water. This is used at a mixture of half and half, or 50/50 solution. Apply this mixture with a clean cotton swab directly to the old scar tissue left by the acne. It is important that for this to work properly that you leave this on for no less than thirty minutes, then wash off with clean, warm water.

Another natural home remedy that works for many individuals is to use freshly cut garlic on these acne scars every night before going to bed. Make sure your bed linen is fresh and clean as well as your face being freshly washed. This method also works to keep any vampires that might happen to want to drop in on you. Just kidding about the vampires.

Using both the lemon/rose water method and the fresh cut garlic method will show signs of acne scar fading in about one week.

There are natural products available to fade and eliminate acne scaring within the health and wellness industry. Several companies you can find on the Internet do have treatments for this condition available.

As a note, do some investigating into any of these health and wellness companies before purchasing any treatments they might offer to eliminate old acne scars. Most of these type of companies are honest and respected, yet a few will prey on those individuals desperate for cures, providing treatments and cures that do not work.

Most reliable companies you can find online. Looking into their websites for information that pertains to how long they have been in business that is verifiable and accurate, goes a long way in establishing trust. Also look at any testimonials that might be available to read about first hand experience with the company's products.

Acne and Stress

2008-02-20T03:51:00.000-08:00

Can stress actually cause acne?
There is ample evidence available
to suggest that stress can most
assuredly cause an acne breakout.

Our bodies are highly developed
chemical laboratories that produce
all sorts of stuff.

At puberty the body begins to
produce an abundance of male
hormones...and this happens in
both boys and girls.

This overproduction of male
hormones can happen at other times
in life besides at puberty; for
example when starting or stopping
birth control pills.

These male hormones cause the
bodys sebaceous glands to shift
into overdrive and begin producing
sebum. The sebum then travels up
hair follicles, clogs the pores
and acne develops.

However, male hormones are not the
only cause for the sebaceous
glands to begin producing an
overabundance of sebum.

When we become extremely stressed
our overly emotional, our bodies
will react by causing the adrenal
glands to produce a substance
known as cortisol. Cortisol is
released into the bloodstream.

Then the chemical chain reaction
continues as the sebaceous glands
release sebum, the sebum travels
up the same hair follicles, clogs
the pores and acne develops.

The physical changes in the body
can cause exactly the same
chemical chain reaction as the
emotional changes in the mind. The
mind/body connection is real.

Maybe some of it really IS in your
head. If thats the case, there is
help available to help people deal
with the acne that is caused by
stress.

Reducing stress will just
naturally reduce sebum production
by the sebaceous glands and
reducing sebum production will
help to alleviate an acne breakout.

It really isnt any different that
restoring hormonal balance to the
body to reduce sebum production.

Both factors that cause excessive
sebum production should be
addressed. Solving one problem
might help. Solving both problems
could eliminate acne altogether.

Acne and Diet

2008-02-20T03:49:00.000-08:00

The general medical consensus is
that diet does not cause acne but
there are those who disagree with
this assessment and assert that
diet has everything to do with
acne.

For many years it was accepted
everywhere and by everyone that
consumption of chocolate and junk
food was what actually caused acne
or had any effect on the severity
of acne.

That theory has been proven to not
be true by modern research but
there are those who claim that the
research is faulty and that acne
is, in fact, if not caused by diet
at least exacerbated by diet.

Refined sugar is believed to be
one of the major contributing
factors of how severe a case of
acne will become by those who
adhere to the belief that food and
acne are related.

These sources say that you should
reduce your intake of refined
sugars and substitute artificial
sweeteners or natural sweeteners
like honey for all refined sugar
in your diet to help reduce the
severity of acne out-breaks.

Another dietary culprit is
believed to be nuts, or rather the
oil that is found in nuts and
especially peanuts.

Those who have acne, says the
proponents of the diet/acne
connection should avoid peanuts in
all forms including peanut butter.

Milk should be used only in very
small amounts and intake should be
greatly restricted, is another
recommendation.

Milk comes from cows, usually
pregnant cows and contains large
amounts of hormones that are
believed to actually be one of the
causes of acne.

The anti-acne diet that is
recommended is high in salmon,
halibut, tuna, sardines, fresh
organically grown vegetables, and
whole grains.

The diet that is recommended is a
very healthy one and whether it
actually prevents acne or not, it
is a good one.

The fish that are recommended are
all very high in omega-3 which is
known to promote healthy skin.

Acne and Dark Skin

2008-02-20T03:48:00.000-08:00

Those of African, Latino or Indian
decent have skin pigmentation that
is darker than those who are of
European decent. Treating any skin
disease is often based on the
color of the skin.

Some cosmetic procedures, for
example, cannot be used on skin
with dark pigmentation because it
will leave light spots.

Actually acne is an equal
opportunity disease. The color of
the skin has no bearing whatsoever
on whether a person will have acne.

Treating acne is based upon the
type of acne it is and what the
most effective treatment options
are for the particular type of
acne that is present in each
patient.

Many acne medications make the
skin sensitive to excessive sun
exposure. This has nothing to do
with the color of the skin. The
sensitivity is simply a side
effect of the medications.

Those with darker skin complexions
are not usually as prone to
sunburn as those with lighter
complexions but these medications
make dark skin as susceptible to
sun damage as their lighter skin
friends.

A sun blocking product with an SPF
factor of at least 15 is
recommended when there will be
prolonged sunlight exposure.

There is one type of acne that
often afflicts only those who are
of African heritage. This type of
acne is called Pomade Acne.

Pomade acne is caused by a hair
care product that is designed to
straighten very curly hair.

The product has a very heavy oil
base and should be kept off of the
skin as much as is possible.

The pigmentation in very dark skin
can get darker after an
inflammation is cleared up.

This is called 'post-inflammatory
hyperpigmentation'....which means
increased pigmentation following
inflammation.

The spots will gradually return to
their normal color over time but a
dermatologist can prescribe
medication which will hasten the
process.

Acne and Cosmetics

2008-02-20T03:47:00.000-08:00

Acne! The very word strikes fear
into the hearts of teenagers all
over America.

It doesnt matter much that it
affects anywhere from 95% to 99%
of them, when it happens to any
one of them, you would think that
they were the only kid who had
ever had a zit.

Teenage boys hate acne just as
much as teenage girls hate it.
Boys just suffer through it but
girls turn to cosmetics to try to
hide it.

There is nothing wrong with a
teenage girl or a young woman
trying to make an acne outbreak
appear less noticeable. It is a
perfectly natural thing to do.

They use cosmetics anyway to
enhance their appearances...make
their lips redder or more full,
give their cheeks a healthy glow
and make their eyelashes appear
longer so covering up a blemish is
the next logical step.

The cosmetic industry knows that
covering blemishes ranks right up
there with rosy cheeks so they
have developed products designed
specifically for covering up
blemishes. These products are
called concealers. They come in
many forms.

Some of them are in tubes like
lipstick while some of them are in
bottles like other liquid make up
base products and some of them are
in cake form like pressed face
powder.

The one thing that all teenage
girls and young women do need to
remember when they use these
products is that the products need
to be thoroughly cleaned off
before going to bed.

If left on the face, these
products will contribute to
clogging pores and intensify the
acne outbreak.

The bottom line here is that using
concealer products is just fine.
If it makes you feel better about
yourself, then go for it but
before you go to bed, use your
facial wash.

Clean your face completely, pat it
dry with a clean towel and apply
your acne fighting medications.

Acne and Basic Hygiene

2008-02-20T03:43:00.000-08:00

Dirt does not cause acne. That is
one of the very basic concepts
that most acne sufferers need to
accept. Keeping the face clean
will help to make acne outbreaks
happen less frequently and be less
severe when they do happen but the
fact that your face gets dirty is
not the cause of acne.

Facial cleansing is particularly
important for those who are
generally prone to acne, however.
The facial cleansing for the
prevention of acne outbreaks and
while an outbreak is in progress
needs to be in a specific fashion.

1.Wash your hands first. Is that
surprising? It shouldnt be. Your
hands are about to come in contact
with your face. The first thing
you need to do is scrub your hands
and be sure that your nails are
clean as well.

2.The next thing that you need to
do is to secure your hair either
in a hairnet, a shower cap or a
headband. Pull your hair away from
your face and firmly secure it.

3.Wet your face with warm (not
hot) water and apply the soap or
facial cleansing product as
directed on the packaging. Never
use more or less of the product
than is recommended.

4.Using only your fingertips (NOT
a washcloth), gently massage the
cleanser into your face. Use a
circular motion and be sure that
you go all the way to the
hairline. Pay particular attention
to the areas of your face where
you most often see pimple. Hard
scrubbing is counterproductive. Be
very gentle.

5.Rinse your face thoroughly by
splashing it with warm water. Dont
take a shortcut here. Rinse your
face until all traces of the
cleanser are gone.

6.Gently pat your face dry with a
clean towel. Dont rub your face
and never use a towel more than
once.

7.Allow your face to air dry for
at least 15 minutes before you
apply acne medications or
moisturizers.