Best Spot Treatment for Cystic Acne

There are some question about best spot treatment for cystic acne, how to get rid of cystic and so on, and when waking up to discover a fresh zit in the middle of your forehead is guaranteed to ruin your day. It might actually be worse than a bad hair day. And unfortunately, those with dry and normal skin types are not immune to the occasional eruption. In fact, it might actually be more shocking to wake up with a pimple when you’re not focusing on preventative care and regularly using acne products.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin disorder, affecting up to 50 million Americans and nearly 85 percent of people experience it at some point in their lives. And no, acne does not always mean chronic pimples and cystic acne.

“Breakouts can occur on any skin type,” notes Eric S. Schweiger, M.D., dermatologist and founder of Clear Clinic Acne Treatment Center and Schweiger Dermatology. “Especially during times of hormonal fluctuation, such as stress-related events and menstruation,” he adds.

So what are you supposed to do when a big ol’ whitehead pushes its way to the surface? That’s where spot treatments come in.

“Most acne spot treatments contain a more concentrated amount of active ingredients than a product that is meant for use on the entire face,” Dr. Schweiger explains. This means they’re able to deliver a more potent punch to either an existing zit, or one that’s bubbling under the surface. Scheweiger actually suggests using a spot treatment as soon as you feel a pimple forming. “That is when they are the most effective,” he adds.

How to heal cystic acne

When it comes to choosing the right product, you want to consider the different types of spot treatments out there and what they do. Most products you’ll find include one of three main ingredients: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur.

Benzoyl peroxide spot treatment for cystic acne

Benzoyl peroxide works by breaking down into benzoic acid and oxygen when it touches the skin, Schweiger explains. The oxygen helps kill P. acnes bacteria, and the benzoic acid acts as a deep exfoliant, getting rid of dead skin and sebum that’s built up inside the pores. It’s effective, but powerful, so it can be harsh and drying if you overuse it.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid, on the other hand, does not kill acne bacteria. It’s an effective exfoliant, called a beta hydroxyl acid, which unclogs pores. “It is a very effective peeling agent as well as an anti-inflammatory, so it soothes the skin,” Schweiger adds. Reducing inflammation and getting the gunk out of your pores helps eliminate the blemish in a gentler way than the benzoyl peroxide does.

Sulfur

Sulfur is a great zit-squashing ingredient, too. "It has both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which makes it different than other OTC acne ingredients," says Schweiger. It also helps to remove dead skin cells from pores, and man, does it seriously dry out a zit overnight! Schweiger also tells us it's better tolerated on sensitive skin than the other two options.

With any spot treatment, it’s important to apply it directly to clean skin before any makeup or moisturizer to get the biggest benefits. If you can, Schweiger recommends applying throughout the day as well. If your skin seems to get a little dry or irritated, cut back on the number of times you apply.

Best spot treatment for cystic acne work wonders on most blemishes, but when it comes to cystic blemishes, they won’t do much. If you’ve got a pimple that never comes to a white head and just sits under the skin, it’s most likely a cystic blemish. You’ll usually find them around the chin and jaw, and trying to pop them will only lead to scarring and discoloration. “It is important to remember that cysts are like submarines; they are meant to stay under the skin,” says celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau. They should eventually go away on their own, or, a dermatologist can inject the pimple with cortisone to treat it. For a great at-home option, try Renée Rouleau’s Anti-Cyst Treatment, which is able to penetrate the skin and, with the help of lactic acid and ethyl lactate, dissolve the cells clogging your pores and decrease bacteria and inflammation.

If your skin is red, broken or irritated, avoid the temptation to acne spot treat until it heals. If you’re pregnant or nursing, be careful and avoid using a spot treatment containing salicylic acid.

Source: http://www.youbeauty.com/skin/how-to-get-rid-of-pimples-fast-spot-treatments

How to Get Rid of Pimples on Butt

OK today I'll share tips about: How to Get Rid of Pimples on Butt Effectively that I found on the internet, let's start it. In such a situation you are in desperate need of help and if help is what you are looking for then be rest assured. Just follow the simple tips as to how to get rid of butt pimples and relive your life in full spirits.

The areas mostly affected by acne are your thighs, forearms, stomach and buttocks. But it is your butt, which is particularly sensitive of all. The other cause of worry is the embarrassment that is attached to butt acne. The pimples emanates from small red spots initially. Then it grows out of proportion troubling you every moment.

What to do with butt pimples?

Visiting a Dermatologist is the best you can do. To begin with, he will examine in every possible way to find out the root cause of these pimples on your buttocks. Your doctor is an expert and you can rely on him for an acne remedy. Give up on the creams, soaps, or other fad treatments and pay a visit to a doctor today.

Besides that, there are many other options that you can aim. It may sound obnoxious, but the fact is that soap, laundry detergent, or other beauty products can lead to skin inflammation. You wear clothes and perspiration is inevitable. Make sure that you wash your body using hypoallergenic soap following workout because accumulation of sweat and dirt can inflict pimples.

Now, ill-fitting underwear can be good enough reason for your butt acne. Similarly, artificial fibers, like polyester or nylon do no good to your skin other than friction, giving way to pimples. Instead, you must indulge in wearing absorbent material and natural fibers.

Squeezing your buttock pimples is something you can do without. All you need to do is cleansing the butt area 2-3 times a day but of course with an odorless soap or a specific acne cleanser that has no harsh chemicals whatsoever.

An ointment rich in benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid is ideal for drying up butt acne. And much beyond that, maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to do away with pimples.

You will not have to wait for long, now onwards for that smooth, blemish free butt worthy of being flaunted in a G-string.

What causes butt acne ?

Cold:
Some people are sensitive to cold, and get pimples on the butt due to their posterior freezing off all autumn and winter. If that´s you, try panties that give more coverage (read: no thongs). Wear stockings or leggings under trousers whenever the temperature drop.

Heat & Sweat:
Do you sweat a lot there ? What do you wear ? Try cotton underwear, and either loose & airy undies, or thongs / strings. (Before you tell me that you hate thongs, you need to try them for one whole week. After that you´ll either totally love them, or totally hate them). Wear skirts (if you´re a girl), or trousers made of airy natural fabrics. Talc might not be the best solution, as it tends to block pores. May I suggest white cosmetic clay (Kaolin) or cornstarch instead ? Also remember that how you sweat is related to what you eat.

Your washing detergent & softener:
Typical detergents are often very harsh, and irritate the skin where it´s in constant contact with the fabric. It´s been a couple of years since I´ve switched to an ecological detergent, and my hands often start itching when I visit the detergent section in a normal store --- that´s how harsh a lot of detergents are !
Try switching to a gentler, ecological washing detergent. Use less detergent, most of us use much more than needed (an this doesn´t make the clothes any cleaner). Make sure that everything is rinsed well. And don´t forget the softener: since it´s not rinsed out, it rubs off on the skin !

Your toilet seat: too dirty or too clean ?
Clean it often, but use a gentle, eco-friendly detergent. Lots of people use really harsh chemicals, forgetting that lots of it lands up on their skin in the end... I prefer straight undiluted white vinegar, it removes stains, disinfects and it´s green.

Jeans allergy ?
A lot of girls report that their pimples went away when they started limiting their jeans wear, or at least wearing full-coverage panties underneath. I´m not sure what´s the explanation, but I´m thinking thick warm fabric, rough texture, jeans dye, and the fact that we typically wash our jeans like... not very often. If you´re a chronic jeans wearer, try to go without jeans for a week to determine whether they are the cause for the pimples.

Check what goes into your mouth
A LOT of cosmetic problems are caused by junk food, coffee, alcohol. Also, food allergies might be a cause (apart from the usual culprits, dairy and gluten are badly tolerated by a lot of us). Chances are you already know what it is that is harming you, so use the desire for a beautifully smooth behind as motivation to dump (or limit) it. Drink water. Expect detox in the first week or two: that´s when your symptoms get worse as the body starts releasing the toxins stored in the fat; after this phase is over you start to see the positive results.

DON`T use medicated or antibacterial soap
This will only dry out the area, and this prevents the skin from healing. Use a gentle soap, without SLS. Hypoallergenic soaps are usually gentler, and of course Castille soap is the gentlest of all.

Kepp away from salicylic acid
This is a common ingredient in anti-acne products. It causes the skin to exfoliate, and is pretty harsh. It should be used only on healthy skin, certainly not on one aggravated by pimples. It will irritate and over-dry the area, preventing healing.

Stress
Acne breakouts are closely connected to stress levels. I highly recommend sports as a let-out for the negative emotions.

Source:

• http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/28248/beauty_tips/how_to_get_rid_of_butt_pimples__the_easy_ways.html
• http://www.venusianglow.com/2010/04/how-to-get-rid-of-butt-pimples-and-keep.html

What Causes Cystic Acne in Adults ?

Acne comes in various forms.  They may range from mild-to-severe. The most acute, harshest, and painful form from all acne’s, is adult cystic acne which is medically known as nodulocystic acne or acne vulgaris. What causes cystic acne in adults ? It develops on face or any other part of the body.  The mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris generally have blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, papules etc.  But, the severe lesions of acne vulgaris may have cysts and nodules and the blemishes may become large, swollen and filled with pus.  These become painful at times and leave deep scars on the face.  Squeezing an adult acne cyst causes deeper infection and becomes even more painful.  For such severe cystic acne you should see a dermatologist.

Adult Acne Women

Acne may affect anyone but they generally appear on the surface of the face skin among teenagers.  Acne problems that develop after the age of 30 are called adult cystic acne and these are generally found in women after their pregnancy.  These post pregnancy cystic acne issues are due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.  Acne or Cystic Acne can also be commonly found in people who have predisposition or family history of acne.

There are various factors that lead to cystic acne like:

• Over excretion from oil glands.
• Excessive dead skin cells.
• Excessive acne causing bacteria.

Basically, cystic acne can damage the healthy skin tissues and so the chances of developing scar become high.  Acne breakouts are just temporary phase and go away with herbal remedies or home treatments or with topical creams or on their own if you do not disturb or pick the cysts.  Picking the cysts aggravates the inflammation and leave deep scars on the face and eventually delay the healing procedure, hence this must be avoided.  Constant picking makes the skin ugly and sometimes even it starts bleeding and leads to severe infection.  In such cases, you must consult a dermatologist who will try some aggressive treatment to cure cystic acne.

Adult Cystic Acne Treatment

Actually, adult cystic acne is not life-threatening but they cause a lot of embarrassment and frustration in the adult sufferer.  It hurts the self-esteem and also affects the social life of the person.  Fortunately, with advancements in medical sciences, there are various treatments cystic acne options available and dermatologists do sort out this problem to a certain extent or at least minimize the adult cystic acne problems.

The most common treatments of cystic acne are:

• Oral antibiotics along with other skin medications.
• Oral contraceptives are used to treat adult cystic acne in women.
• Surgical intervention:  If the acnes are pus-filled and painful, the doctor will make small incision to drain out the pus and alleviate the pain.
• Steroid injections.  In severe cystic acne steroid injection are directly injected in to the lesion to lessen the inflammation and pain.

In certain cases of severe adult cystic acne deep pits are formed on the skin.  These can not be treated with topical treatments or home remedies and they require cosmetic surgery to get rid of them permanently.  Home remedies for cystic acne have proved to be very helpful in lessening the pain, inflammation and deep scarring.  But, this requires a lot of patience and determination as home remedies take long time to work.  If you want instant treatment, then consult your dermatologist who will prescribe the right topical and oral treatment for your severe cystic acne.

Source:http://treatmentsforcysticacne.net/acne-types/causes-of-adult-cystic-acne/

Tips: How To Get Rid of Acne Under The Skin Overnight ?

You may be wondering how to get rid of acne under the skin overnight. These pimples are often the worst of the kind, because they are painful, ugly and seemingly impossible to remove. Your skin will swell and you feel like there’s nothing you can do about it. The good news is that there are a few effective methods to get rid of them.

These pimples form deep inside your skin and they don’t get to surface. They aren’t open: meaning, they don’t have a white head. While popping the pimples is never a good thing, a whitehead can be open on the skin’s surface so the pus can come out. You can’t do this with acne deep under your skin.

There are, however, some things you can do. The most important step is to reduce the swelling and prevent the pimple from spreading under your skin. Here are some helpful tips on how to get rid of a pimple under the skin:

• It’s important that your skin is clean and your pores dilated. Wash your face with warm water, focusing on the affected area. You may also use warm wash cloth. Keep doing this for a few minutes. The goal is to open your pores. It will also clean the skin’s surface.
• The next thing you want to do is to use baking soda to get rid of the pimple. Mix some baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply it to the affected area of your skin. It’s best to do it in the evening and leave it on overnight. In any case, it should be on for at least one hour, but the more is better. Leaving it on for the whole night gives the best results. Baking soda will neutralize the pH values of your skin, which in turns kill bacteria. This will make the pimple go away.
• Rinse the paste off of your face. Use cool water if possible. You need to clean your face gently and to remove all the traces of the paste.
• This should reduce the under skin pimple or to remove it altogether. If it’s a particularly nasty one, repeat the procedure until it’s gone.
• Remember, the best way to reduce redness of acne scars is to put some ice on your skin. Gently massage an ice cube on the pimple or use ice wrapped in cloth. Don’t leave the ice on your face for too long. As soon as you feel your skin going numb, remove it. Repeat after a few minutes. This should reduce the swelling.

You should also know that acne prevention is always the best, so don’t forget to clean your face and body at least twice a day to remove sweat, dirt, oils and bacteria. You should also drink a lot of water and eat healthy, balanced meals rich in fruits and vegetables. Pimples under the skin can be nasty, but it’s possible to get rid of acne under the skin. Don’t ever try to pop them - use the above advice to remove them.

Source: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-a-pimple-under-the-skin

Apple Cider Vinegar Acne Scar Treatment

Apple Cider Vinegar Acne Scar Treatment

Acne is a skin disorder that occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil, dirt and dead skin cells. It appears commonly on face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Depending on the severity it can cause emotional distress and then it can lead to scars of the skin.

Apple cider vinegar is a powerhouse which contains many essential properties like astringent, natural disinfectant (anti-septic), anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, pH level balancer, etc. which helps to treat the acne very effectually.

Other than these apple cider vinegar is packed with many essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, carbolic acid, ketones, aldehydes, trace elements, amino acids, dietary fiber, anti-oxidant, acetic acid and others which are very essential for our body functioning.

Does Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) help to prevent Acne?

Apple cider vinegar helps to clear the acne like this

• Apple cider vinegar acts as natural antibacterial and antiseptic which helps to kill the bacteria deep down inside the pores that causes acne.
• It naturally aids at detoxification i.e. it detoxifies your body from the free radicals and harmful toxins.
• Our body has protective acid mantle (thin layer of oil on the outer surface of the skin) which protects your skin to have a pH of around 5.5 but due to over face washing, excessive use of cosmetics, etc. the protective barrier will be disrupted so the skin become more prone to infections and other irritants. Apple cider vinegar contains a pH of 3 and when it is diluted it helps to keep the skin pH level back to normal and helps to function properly. It is an alkaline and balances your pH level to prevent the acne and other infections.
• It as anti inflammatory which helps to reduce the inflammation and swelling even better than ice cubes. It helps to relieve you from the pain that was associated with acne. It also quickly reduces the size of the big swollen zits, blackheads and pimples.
• It contains malic and lactic acid which helps to soften and exfoliate the skin by reducing red marks and treats acne on the skin very efficiently.
• It contains all the essential vitamins and minerals which are very important for the body to fight against acne, to speed up the healing process and reduces scarring.
• Apple cider vinegar contains astringent property that helps to dry out the excess oil and make your skin dry and successfully removes the acne and lessons the acne scars.

How to use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for Acne:

Follow these different apple cider vinegar remedies to treat the acne and make your skin a healthy and beautifully.

Remedy – 1: (Apple cider vinegar and Water)

• Take raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized (organic) apple cider vinegar with the mother left in and pure water.
• Mix it well in a ratio of 1:1 (for normal skin and 1:3 for sensitive skin) i.e. one part of vinegar mixed with one part of water in a small cup or bowl.
• Stir it properly and then take a cotton ball or cloth or paper towel
• Dip the cotton ball (here I take cotton ball) and apply it on the acne spots wherever you have
• Leave it for few minutes or if you apply this on the evening then allow it to stay for overnight.
• After that, wash your face with water and apply moisturizer to your skin type.
• Repeat this remedy regularly to get rid of the acne soon.

Process – 2: (Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda)

• Take 2 tablespoons of raw or organic apple cider vinegar and add 2 – 3 tablespoons of baking soda.
• Mix both the ingredients in a small bowl and apply it on the face as face mask with your fingers.
• Leave it for about 10 – 20 minutes until it dries out and the skin become tightly.
• After that, your mask should feel tight and ready to come off.
• Rinse your face with cool water and pat dry for few minutes
• Apply moisturizer and repeat the process for once a week to cure acne.

Process – 3: (Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey)

• Wash your face with lukewarm water and have a gentle cleanser.
• Massage in circular motion with that cleanser which deeply cleans the skin pores and boost up the blood circulation.
• After cleansing, you can use either commercial exfoliating face scrub or baking soda mixed with little amount of water to exfoliate your face.
• Remember that not to rub too hard but massage the exfoliating scrub in gentle circular motions.
• Then you have to steam your face by draping a towel over your head and place your face directly over the pot of hot water and hold your face for at least 3 minutes to have proper effect to open the skin pores.
• After completely the steaming process then apply 2 tablespoons of raw honey to all over your face.
• Rub the honey gently into your skin but not to pull your skin too much, as honey becomes sticky and hard to rub.
• Leave it for about 15 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
• Carefully dry your skin with the help of a towel but don’t over rub it
• Then take a cotton ball and soak it in a mixture of apple cider vinegar (amount enough to soak a cotton ball) and water in 1:1 ratio (one part of apple cider vinegar mixed with one part of water) using upward stokes by covering all the area of the acne affected part of the skin.
• Finally you have to apply an oil free moisturizer why because the ACV will dry out your skin when applied depending up on your skin type.

How to Treat Scalp Acne with Apple Cider Vinegar:

Scalp acne is caused by clogged hair pores because of too much of dust, oil and sweat in which the acne breakouts on the scalp will be very irritating. Apple cider vinegar helps crystal clear the pores, disinfect the scalp. It also used to treat scalp zits, dandruff, itching and head lice which are one of the causes for the scalp acne. Finally, it operates as an organic detangler and makes your hair soft and sleek. The acetic acid of ACV will restore the pH balance of the hair and also cures the acne on the scalp.

Let’s see how apple cider vinegar used to treat Scalp Acne.

Process:

• Wet your hair with shampoo and have a clean and condition hair
• Then rinse your hair with a good astringent called apple cider vinegar
• Add few ounces of apple cider vinegar into the water (or lukewarm water) and pour through your hair (rinse it well)
• Let it dry naturally for few minutes and repeat the process for once a week of at least 4 – 5 times to get rid of the scalp acne.

Can you Drink Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne:

Yes, it acts as an internal method to treat acne. Drinking apple cider vinegar will aids better digestion and removes the toxins and impurities in your blood stream. You can drink apple cider vinegar juice in any of these ways.

Process – 1:

• Take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• Add this to a glass of water and mix it well.
• Drink this liquid once a day to get rid of acne and many other problems.

Process – 2:

• Take one cup of water which helps to dilute the odor and unpleasant taste of ACV
• Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to that cup of water. Apple cider vinegar detoxifies your body that cause acne.
• Mix it well by adding a teaspoon of honey into that glass. Honey acts as anti-inflammatory and anti microbial that helps to reduce the acne.
• Drink that apple cider vinegar water and after drinking rinse your mouth with water as apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and damages your tooth enamel.
• Also you can add ACV in juice or green tea instead of water.

You can also take apple cider vinegar in any supplement form like pills or capsules which is found in many grocery and pharmacy stores that helps to treat acne from the inner side. It helps to restore the normal pH level of the blood, reduces diabetes and obesity, improves digestion process and boost up the immune system.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne Scars:

Apple cider vinegar has a property of scrapping off all the dead and old skin cells on your skin pores. It has an antibiotics and antiseptic properties which works well against the acne scars. It balances the pH of your skin and improves its tone over time and reduces the appearance of red marks and scars.

Process – 1:

• Take equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in 1:1 ratio (one part of apple cider vinegar and one part of water).
• Take a cotton ball and dip in that vinegar solution.
• Take it out and apply it on the acne scars
• Leave it for few minutes and wash it with normal water.
• Continue doing this remedy daily once to get rid of the acne scars quickly.

Process – 2:

• Take a cup and pour 2/3 rd water in it and add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to it
• Mix it well with a small amount of honey
• Apply this directly on the acne scars and leave it for about 10 – 20 minutes
• Wash it off with water and repeat the process regularly to prevent the acne scars.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Cystic Acne:

It cures cystic acne very effectively. Apple cider vinegar stabilizes the natural pH levels of the skin to clear the cystic acne. It also helps to prevent the further formations and breakouts in future.

Process:

• Pour few drops of apple cider vinegar in a small bowl
• Take a cotton q – tip or cotton ball.
• Here I am taking cotton ball
• Dip the cotton ball in the vinegar solution and wring out the excess liquid
• Apply this ball on the cystic acne affected part of the skin
• Allow it to stay for few hours or its better to apply it on the evening and let it be on for overnight.
• Wash it with water in the next day morning and continue the process of applying the apple cider vinegar as a toner for few weeks until you get complete relief from the cystic acne.

Benefits / Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne:

There are many benefits or uses of apple cider vinegar over acne. Let us see some of them here…

Unclogs Pores:
Acne is mainly caused when the skin pores are clogged with dirt, oil or sebum and become irritated and infected. But apple cider vinegar is an antiseptic that kills the bacteria that causes acne, stops pimples in their track and stops the pores to get clogged. It acts as a disinfectant.

Encourages Skin Renewal:
Apple cider vinegar contains alpha-hydroxy acids that helps the skin to renew itself more quickly. It also contains alkaline properties which helps to maintain the perfect pH balance of the skin and helps to function properly. The above acids will also helps to reduce the acne and its scars gradually.

Improves Skin Tone:
Apple cider vinegar contains all the essential vitamins and minerals which helps to improve the skin tone by reducing the acne and its scars and maintain healthy skin.

Internal Detoxing:
Our body or skin generally exposures to toxins in food and environment. If that is the case then apple cider vinegar acts as popular detoxifying drink.

Bragg’s apple cider vinegar for acne:

Apple cider vinegar is commonly available item in many brands in every grocery stores but my favorite brand for apple cider vinegar is Bragg’s. It is available with all the good qualities of organic, raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized, gluten free and the mother left in. what not it has all the good qualities which everything is essential for the health of our body and skin. It is also quite cheap and very useful product.

Precautions:

Beyond many uses, apple cider vinegar has some drawbacks also, let’s check about it…

Apple cider vinegar has a high concentration of acetic acid so when applied directly it causes irritation (especially for sensitive skin holders). It’s always better to apply it by diluting it in water or any other liquid.
Always prefer raw and organic unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar which gives the perfect result over acne and its scars.

Apple cider vinegar toner stinks i.e. the smell that comes after applying ACV on the skin parts. So, it’s always best to dry out your skin first and then wash it off completely. But make sure that you’re in a hot make out session or close talker then the smell of ACV will come from your whenever you apply it.

Apple cider vinegar burns your skin if it is strongly concentrated i.e. it will sting when applied over open wounds,  around or on eyes, picked or healing pimples, frequent application, applying by not diluting it, too much of ACV applying will all causes the burning sensation and makes your skin flush and turn red.

After applying apple cider vinegar and then washing it, you have to apply sunscreen to protect yourself from UV rays or sun burn. Also some people experience purging after applying ACV.

Try these remedies to treat the acne in various stages. Do you have any remedies other than these, then come forward to share with us.

Source: http://homeremediesforlife.com/apple-cider-vinegar-for-acne/

Sulfur Acne Treatment, How To Use Sulfur To Eliminate Your Acne Problem

How to use sulfur to treat your acne, and also help you to eliminate your acne problems.

Summary:

• Sulfur has been used to treat acne and other kinds of inflammation of the skin for thousands of years.
• Foaming sulfur kills acne bacteria and moisturizes the skin.
• Many people who have acne on Asian skin respond well to the combination of foaming sulfur in the morning and topical tretinoin at night.
• If you have fair skin, foaming sulfur treatment will probably may pimples “come to a head” so that they drain quickly.
• If you have dark, oily skin, foaming sulfur treatment will probably shrink pimples and help blackheads fall out of their own.
• Always test a dot of sulfur product on the skin of your forearm to make sure you are not allergic to it before putting it on your face.
• Don’t get sulfur on clothes or jewelry.
• Don’t use sulfur products that contain fragrances to cover up the sulfur smell. The fragrance can cause irritation that cancels out the benefits of the sulfur.

Sulfur for Treating Infections

From ancient times through the eighteenth century, sulfur was used as a fumigant to fight “vapors” that were thought to cause disease. Tossed on a open flame, yellow sulfur released noxious fumes that can kill bacteria, parasites, and people. As early as 5,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians used a salve made with sulfur to treat both acne and eczema, and Traditional Chinese Medicine was using sulfur in skin care before the reign of the Yellow Emperor, some 2,200 years ago.

Sulfur is still used to treat acne. Since the 1950's, sulfur has been available in the form of a 5% sulfur foam that is applied directly to broken skin. The foam also contains 10% sodium sulfacetamide to make the product emollient without clogging pores and moisturizing to the skin. The product kills acne bacteria fast while it softens the skin.

The drawback to sulfur foams is that they smell bad. And when they are mixed with fragrance to make the product smell good, the result is reddening and irritation of both healthy skin and acne-affected skin.
Who Benefits Most from Sulfur for Acne?

The best application of sulfur foams is for treating acne on Asian skin. Here are some real case histories of the the use of sulfur for treating acne on Asian skin.

A thirty-five year-old Asian woman came to see her doctor about acne that had been breaking out “on and off” ever since she was a teenager. Another doctor had tried to treat the acne by adjusting her oral birth control medication, but there was no change in the frequency of her outbreaks. Then she had tried to treat her acne with 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with no benefits to her skin.

When this woman went to see her second dermatologist, she had 27 pimples and 14 blackheads on  her face. The dermatologist suggested that she try a combination of:

•     5% sulfur-10% sodium sulfacetamide form every morning with
•     0.04% topical tretinoin at night.

In the United States, both products are available over-the-counter, although it is easier to find topical tretinoin in the 0.05% strength.

The first few days, this patient experienced mild itchiness, especially around her eyes. The itchiness stopped in the first week and she was able to continue both medications without interruption. At the end of eight weeks her complexion was not completely clear, but she had only three pimples and three whiteheads, all other blemishes having resolved.

A thirteen year-old Asian boy had had acne for a year that was not responding well to the combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. The doctor took him off these treatments, and prescribed sulfur foam in the morning plus 0.04% topical tretinoin in the evening. At the end of eight weeks, his 23 pimples had been reduced to 16, and his 31 whiteheads and blackheads had been reduced to 13.

A 29-year-old Asian woman had intermittent acne across her forehead and on her cheeks. She reported that she had been frustrated by the failure of 0.025% topical tretinoin plus 4% benzoyl peroxide to make any difference in her skin. Like the other two patients, this woman was told to use 0.04% topical tretinoin in the morning and sulfur foam at night.

At the end of two months, her acne was gone. She also reported that sulfur foam seemed to be a good match to skin tones in her face, and that previously existing acne spots were far less noticeable than they had been before.

Will Sulfur Foam Work If You Don’t Have Asian Skin?

Asian skin makes just one kind of melanin pigment, while other skin types make two or three. On other skin types, sulfur usually makes the skin look red, but on Asian skin, sulfur brings out natural skin tones. There is every reason to believe that sulfur foam and facials that include sulfur as an ingredient will kill acne bacteria on any kind of skin, but they are best at improving the appearance of Asian skin on the face.

Sulfur foams may be useful in treating back acne (also known as bacne) on other skin types. For treating back acne, it is usually not necessary to use topical tretinoin. A combination of sulfur-sulfur acetamide foam in the morning and benzoyl peroxide treatment in the evening peels dead skin around pores in the back, and kills acne bacteria so that the skin of the back can heal itself. Because sulfur foam is a moisturizer, it will work equally well on both pimples and blackheads on the back. This also helps it work well when it is used with topical tretinoin, which may dry out the skin.

Where Do You Find Sulfur for Fighting Acne?

Foaming sulfur is usually labeled as Pomada de Azufre. It is extremely cheap, less than US $4 for a month’s supply. Even though the product is a “pomade,” it is intended for the skin, not the hair.
A product called Bye Bye Blemish also provides 10% sulfur, and costs only US $6 for a one-month supply.

There are some precautions that are a good idea when using any product that contains sulfur. A few people are allergic to it. Test a dot of the product on the skin of your forearm, leaving it there for several hours, before putting it on your face. Don’t use the product on your face if it causes irritation on your arm.

Also, don’t get any kind of sulfur product on jewelry. It can blacken both silver and gold.

Some users report that sulfur foams and scrubs shrink pimples quickly, and others report that they seem to “bring them to a head” so that they pop open. Probably, the tighter your skin, the more likely you are to have a one-day increase in the size of pimples followed by rapid healing. Stop using the product, of course, if it makes your skin tingle, sting, or burn, or if redness is noticeably worse.

Source: http://www.facingacne.com/sulfur-treat-acne/

How To Make a Face Mask For Pimples

Homemade acne face masks are excellent natural remedies for getting rid of acne breakouts and eliminating acne scars. These recipes include a variety of ingredients that help nourish your skin and eliminate acne-related problems.

Honey, which is used in all the three masks we are preparing today, hydrates your skin, keeps it soft by preserving moisture, and promotes skin cell renewal.

It is highly beneficial for acne-prone skin because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Its anti-inflammatory nature also helps reduce redness and inflammation caused by acne and pimples. It is best to use raw, organic honey rather than processed honey as the latter may irritate your skin.

Ingredients such as cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, green tea, turmeric, and milk are also useful in reducing acne and acne scars.

• Like honey, cinnamon has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• The alpha hydroxyl acids in apple cider vinegar help unclog skin pores and dissolve dead skin cells. Moreover, apple cider vinegar treats blemishes, restores the natural pH of your skin, and minimizes the appearance of pores.
• Green tea is packed with antioxidants that fight harmful free radicals and help you maintain bright, flawless, and younger-looking skin. It too has anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Turmeric is good for treating skin problems, owing to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also helps fade blemishes and acne scars.
• Raw milk contains lactic acid that works as a gentle exfoliant and delivers anti-aging benefits.

Here are recipes for the top three face masks for acne. Make sure you remove all makeup and wash your face thoroughly before applying these natural face packs. Cleansing your face helps unclog pores and allows the masks to penetrate deep into your skin.

1- Apple Cider Vinegar Acne Face Mask/Scrub

Things you will need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Green tea
• Honey
• Sugar
• A teaspoon
• A bowl

Steps

1. Put one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a bowl.
2. Add two teaspoons of cooled green tea.
3. Next, add five teaspoons of sugar.
4. Finally, put one teaspoon of honey in it.
5. Stir the mixture well. For a thicker consistency, add more sugar.

   
Spread the mask on your face using a cotton pad and massage it for a few minutes to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation. The sugar in this recipe works as a natural exfoliant helpful in breaking up scar tissue and unclogging skin pores. Leave the mask on for about 10 minutes and then rinse it off with water. Use this beauty mask about once or twice a week.

2- Acne Face Mask with Cinnamon and Honey

Things you will need:

• Cinnamon powder
• Honey
• A teaspoon
• A bowl

Steps

1. Put one teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a bowl.
2. Add two teaspoons of honey.
3. Mix the ingredients until they are blended well. If the mixture is thick, add more honey.

  
Using your fingers, slather it on your face (preferably when your face is damp) and leave it on for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water, and apply a toner. If you do not have a toner, just use lemon juice or a mixture of one part apple cider vinegar and two parts distilled water. You can use this acne face mask almost daily.

Source: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/diy-homemade/top-3-diy-homemade-acne-face-masks.html

TRIA Acne Blue Light Therapy

What it is:
A revolutionary hand-held acne device that brings the effective, therapeutic power of blue light acne treatment used by dermatologists into your own home.

What it does:
Tria's patented Blue Light penetrates deep within the skin to eliminate acne-causing bacteria at the source. With more than eight times the bacteria-destroying light energy than other devices, Tria delivers an effective dose in the shortest time to clear breakouts fast. Unlike most cleansers and lotions that use benzoyl peroxide to fight breakouts, Tria is gentle enough to use every day without harsh side effects such as redness or irritation. Now you can get the most effective and safest dermatologist-preferred treatment for clearing acne breakouts quickly at home.

What else you need to know:
Acne Clearing Blue Light is FDA cleared for home-use and treats mild to moderate inflammatory acne. The non-UV blue light allows daily, gentle acne treatments without irritation or side effects, the skin contact sensor turns Tria Blue Light on automatically when the tip touches the skin, and patented technology prevents damage to eyes when used as directed. The large treatment tip ensures thorough coverage of skin for optimal results while the sleek hand-held design and contoured handle makes treatments easy. A digital user-interface window easily guides you through treatments and helps troubleshoot errors. Tria's patented Blue Light 2-Month Cartridge supplies 60 days of treatment.

Research results:
In a self-assessment 2-week study:

• 70% affected areas cleared in just 2 weeks
• 93% of participants reported fewer and milder breakouts after 2 weeks
• 77% of participants reported greater improvement with Tria Blue Light versus their prior skincare regimen

Suggested Usage:

Step 1: Cleanse

• Cleanse your face thoroughly to prepare skin for the blue light acne treatment.
• For best results, use Skin Perfecting Foam Cleanser, expertly formulated to exfoliate skin, unclog pores, and remove makeup, oil, sunscreen, and other impurities that can interfere with the Skin Perfecting Blue Light.

Step 2: Treat

• Touch the Tria Blue Light to your skin and glide the large treatment tip over your face.
• Treat the affected area for a total of five minutes once daily or, for your convenience, two and a half minutes twice daily.
• Either treat the entire face or concentrate on those areas of most concern, such as the T-zone, chin, or jaw.
• You may also use the Skin Perfecting Blue Light on the chest, neck, and back to clear and help prevent acne.

Step 3: Nourish

• Restore your treated skin and accelerate skin cell renewal with a serum rich in nutrients and antioxidants.
• The Skin Perfecting Serum is specially formulated to help fight blemishes, calm skin, and brighten discoloration due to blemishes.

Precautions:

• Do not use to treat nodular or cystic acne.
• Do not use to treat moles, warts, open sores, cancerous lesions, or any skin condition other than acne. 

Source: http://www.sephora.com/acne-clearing-blue-light-P378115

10 Oral Medication for Acne

Classified as antibiotics, oral contraceptives or retinoids, oral acne medications treat acne from within. Oral antibiotics kill bacteria that cause acne, reducing inflammation and preventing breakouts. Oral contraceptives treat acne caused by overactive oil glands. Retinoids reduce inflammation and regulate the production and shedding of skin cells. Discuss oral acne medications with your doctor to determine how to treat your acne successfully.

Erythromycin

Erythromycin kills acne-causing bacteria to prevent new breakouts. This drug increases sun sensitivity, so avoid sunlight exposure or wear protective clothing if you have to spend time in the sun. Other side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, vomiting and stomach pain.

Tetracycline

The antibiotic tetracycline treats acne by reducing inflammation and killing the bacteria that cause acne. The most common side effects associated with this drug include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and diarrhea.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline, a derivative of tetracycline, slows the growth of acne-causing bacteria in the body. This antibiotic increases sensitivity to sunlight, so avoid exposure to artificial ultraviolet rays or natural sunlight during your treatment. Doxycycline also reduces the effectiveness of birth control pills, according to Drugs.com, so use an alternate birth control method during treatment.

Minocycline

Minocycline reduces inflammation and kills bacteria. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology reports that this oral antibiotic kills bacteria more effectively than other acne pills. The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug leads to reduced swelling, tenderness and redness of pimples.

Clindamycin

Clindamycin suppresses the formation of bacterial proteins, resulting in fewer acne-causing bacteria. Anyone with a history of ulcerative colitis or gastroenteritis should avoid using clindamycin orally. Side effects of clindamycin include peeling skin, rash, itching, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and inflammation of the esophagus.

Bactrim

Bactrim contains trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, which both treat different types of bacterial infections. Avoid this medication if you have an allergy to any of its contents. The side effects of Bactrim include joint pain, insomnia, ringing in the ears, swollen tongue and dizziness.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen works to balance the hormones, which prevents the sebaceous glands from producing too much oil. Since oil clogs the pores and increases the risk of acne, this helps prevent acne breakouts. Women who smoke, and those over 35 years of age, should not take this drug due to the risk of blood clots.

Ortho-Cyclen

Ortho-Cyclen contains ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate. Doctors prescribe these hormones to treat severe acne. You should not use this drug if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast or uterine cancer, history of circulation problems, liver disease, severe migraines, liver cancer or a history of blood clots.

Isotretinoin

Doctors only prescribe isotretinoin to treat nodular acne that causes severe disfigurement, according to the Mayo Clinic. Women who take this drug must use a reliable contraceptive method during treatment, as isotretinoin causes severe birth defects in humans. This drug helps the sebaceous glands to mature, which reduces the amount of oil produced.

Tretinoin

Tretinoin keeps the pores clear to prevent the inflammation that causes acne. This drug also helps replace older skin with new skin. Side effects of tretinoin include hair loss, headache, indigestion, itching of the skin, bloating, anxiety, belching, mood changes, blurred vision, nausea, weakness, vomiting and difficulty sleeping.

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/106778-top-oral-acne-medications/

What Vitamins Are Good for Acne ?

Vitamin A

What is it?

Vitamin A is an antioxidant that belongs to the class of compounds called retinoids. The active alcohol form of vitamin A is  known as retinol.  Vitamin A, commonly known as Retin-A, has been prescribed for decades by dermatologists to treat acne topically. Accutane, a prescription oral medication, has been used to treat severe nodular acne by dermatologists for years as well and is also a form of vitamin A. Low levels of this vitamin have been associated with inflammation and acne. In the body, vitamin A is responsible for red blood cell production, immune system support, healthy skin, normal vision, and overall growth and development of the body. Food sources include orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, sweet potatoes, spinach and cod liver oils.

Why is it of value for treating acne?

Vitamin A is essential to the normal shedding of dead skin cells that build up inside the pore and ultimately cause acne- this sticky build up and excess production of skin cells is one of the main causes of acne! Click here to read about other causes of acne. This vitamin functions by preventing this build up that would have otherwise caused a clogged pore. In addition, the antioxidant properties of vitamin A act as an anti-inflammatory for the skin and help to calm swollen, red and sore acne breakouts.
Who should increase their Vitamin A intake?

It is highly recommended that individuals with inflammatory acne on the face and/or body should be eating foods high in vitamin A and supplementing with 10,000 iu’s of vitamin A per day. I have had great success with the Vitamedica Healthy Skin supplement and Clear Skin Formula Daily Packs. If you are pregnant, please consult a physician before starting on vitamin A supplements.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

What is it?

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and seafood, particularly oily, ocean fish such as mackerel, sardines and anchovies. It is arguably the best anti-inflammatory found in nature.

Why is it of value for treating acne?

Inflammation is at the core of acne (externally and systemically), therefore an anti-inflammatory supplement is key to clearing acne. The inflammation process is triggered at the systemic level and then, with many other factors, causes acne at the skin level. An important side note, inflammation is also connected to nearly all chronic disease such as  diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, etc.

Omega-3 fatty acids work to clear acne by inhibiting two inflammatory chemicals that are responsible for acne breakouts, they are called PGE2 and LTB4. One way to inhibit the production of these two chemicals is with the drug Accutane and the other way is, naturally, with EPA omega-3 fatty acids. To find out if you have inflammatory acne click here. EPA Omega-3 supplements and foods are the best way to put out the flame. Research shows that people consuming diets higher in omega-3 fatty acids, such as in Japan, the coastal regions of North Carolina and Papua New Guinea all have a low rate of acne.
Who should increase their Omega-3 intake?

It is highly recommended that individuals with inflammatory acne on the face and/or body should be eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and supplementing with 2 grams (2,000 mg) of EPA omega-3’s per day. I have had great success with the Vitamedica Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil which contains 800 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA per serving (two soft gels) and the Flax Seed Oil. Be sure to check your labels, as you want to have a minimum of 1,000 mg of EPA per day. This is because EPA is the better anti-inflammatory over DHA. Most Fish Oil supplements will contain more DHA than EPA so be sure to check your labels. If you are pregnant, please consult a physician before starting on fish oil supplements.

In addition to supplements, oily fish such as anchovies, sardines and mackerel as well as oils such as flax, walnut and canola oil are fantastic resources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 enriched eggs are also recommended. Soybean, peanut, sunflower, palm oil and other vegetable oils should be strictly avoided as these will make acne worse by stimulating the PGE2 chemical that causes acne.

Zinc

What is it?

Zinc is a mineral that is responsible for contributing to many, many functions within the body. To name a few: growth and develepment, brain function, reproduction and immune function. In food, zinc is in beans, nuts, seeds, oatmeal, whole grains, lean meats and oysters.

Why is of value for treating acne?

Zinc has many important functions for acne clearing. One, zinc assists with the metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids. Two, zinc is an important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory for the skin. Three, zinc helps break down substance P, the nerve chemical that causes sebum production when the body is stressed. Four, zinc is responsible for transporting Vitamin A. an antiacne nutrient, from the liver. Recent studies have shown that people with acne have low levels of zinc in their system.

Who should increase their Zinc intake?

As you can see, Zinc is an important supplement to take with Vitamin A and Omega-3 Fish Oils. Zinc is highly recommended if taking either of these supplements to assist in the uptake and metabolism. It is also recommended as part of a basic supplement regimen for non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne. Approximately 40 mg per day is the therapeutic dose of zinc. Check all your supplement labels as zinc is often added to a multi-vitamin and the Vitamedica Healthy Skin. If taking the Healthy Skin, no additional zinc is needed.

Selenium

What is it?

Selenium is a minor mineral as well as an antioxidant that works to protect other antioxidants. In can be found in grains, nuts, seafood salmon and halibut.

Why is it of value for treating acne?

Selenium has been proven to work synergistically with as well as preserve the levels of other antioxidants, such as zinc. Selenium functions in glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme which is very important in preventing the inflammation of acne. This selenium-dependent enzyme that controls glutathione is low in acne patients, and low levels of blood selenium have also been documented.  Small amounts of selenium and vitamin e have been shown to improve acne, particularly in those with low baseline glutathione enzyme activity. In addition, research has shown that a deficiency in selenium may play a role in inflammatory conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Who should increase their Selenium intake?

Selenium should be taken along with other antioxidants as well as zinc supplements. The Vitamedica Healthy Skin contains 48 mcg of Selenium per dose.

Source: http://www.naturalacneclinic.com/vitamins-to-heal-your-acne/

Natural Face Cleanser for Acne

Home Acne Treatments not only work well, but they save #money. They can also be less abrasive than marketed cleansers. Let’s be real, fighting acne is a pain, but these 7 homemade #acne cleansers are safe for your skin, easy on the wallet, and just overall awesome. The good thing about home acne treatments is they often use natural products instead of harsh chemicals found in over-the-counter or prescription acne treatments, making them ideal for sensitive skin. So, if you want to learn to make your own home acne treatments, keep reading!

1. Olive Oil
I know it seems crazy to put oil on your already oily #acne prone skin. Olive oil has been used for many years as a cleanser and works wonders as home acne treatment. For best results pour a small amount of olive oil onto your hands and massage deeply into the #skin. Allow the oil to sit for at least 3 minutes, then place a steamy towel over the #face. The steam will help pull impurities out of your pores. After the towel cools use it to wipe away the remaining oil.

2. Castor Oil
Castor oil works the same way as olive oil for a home #acne cleanser. The reason why these oils work as facial cleansers is because #skin naturally contains oil. Many of the cleanser we buy are branded as “oil-free.” Water doesn’t dissolve oil, oil dissolves oil. When the oils from the skin are removed, the #body creates even more oil creating oily skin, or it may react by not creating any oil and thus leaving your skin dry. It makes sense to use oil to help gently remove the dirt and oil from your #face to help clear acne.

3. Baking Soda
Baking soda works two ways as an at home acne treatment. First it exfoliates the skin by buffing away dead skin and opening up clogged pores. Another way is the alkaline substance of baking soda kills off bacteria in the #skin that causes acne. To use baking soda, wet your face and then create a paste with #baking soda and water in your hand. Massage the paste into your #face gently for one minute. Finish by rinsing with cool water and patting dry.

4. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is not only good for your #body, it does wonders for you skin too. Oatmeal is naturally high in vitamins which makes it perfect to reduce redness and inflammation caused by acne. Create your own at acne treatment by soaking ? a cup of oatmeal in 1 cup of boiling water. After the oatmeal mixture has cooled, apply it to your #face and gently massage the skin. After one to two minutes rinse off the oatmeal.

5. Honey
Honey is another terrific at home acne treatment. Honey contains antibacterial properties and can help hydrate the skin. You can create a simple honey mask just by massaging natural honey into the #skin and allowing it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. One way to enjoy this mask is to apply it before soaking in a warm bath after a long day at work for a little rest and relaxation.

6. Steaming
Steam opens the pores and allows the impurities to escape. Boil a pot of water and then let it cool for a few minutes. Hang your face over the cooled pot of water with a towel draped over your head to trap the steam in. After 10 minutes you can remove the towel and dry the steam off your #face.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used as an at home cure for many different #things over the years. Because apple cider vinegar is unprocessed and contains many natural properties it works wonders as an at home acne treatment. To use, mix one part #apple cider vinegar with 3 parts water. Dab the mixture onto the #face with a cotton ball.

Using home acne treatments is so much better for your skin. And as you can see, there are many ways to treat acne naturally at home. Let me know if you tried any of these 7 home acne treatments. Also, do you have recipes for any other home acne treatments you'd like to share?

Source: http://beauty.allwomenstalk.com/simple-but-unbelievably-effective-homemade-acne-cleansers

Best Acne Treatment For Oily Skin

With oily skin and acne, you're probably not always in love with your skin. But oily skin isn't all bad. One bonus: Your skin will be less prone to wrinkling.

Still, oily skin and acne can be frustrating. With the right care, you can treat oily skin and acne, and learn to embrace your skin type.

1. Cleanse Your Face at Least Twice a Day

The best way to keep oil from building up is to cleanse your face regularly. Always wash your face twice a day, both morning and night. No exceptions! You should also cleanse your face immediately after you sweat (like after gym class or working out).

Beware of over-cleansing, though. Too much cleansing can irritate your skin.

Another hint: Choose a foaming cleanser over a cream-based one. Foaming cleansers generally do a much better job cleansing away oil and leave your skin feeling fresh and clean.

2. Use an Astringent

An astringent is another good way to control oil. Astringents are toners that are made especially for oily skin types.

Using a cotton ball or pad, apply your astringent over the entire face and neck area after cleansing. You may also use it between cleansings to clean away excess oil.

Some astringents contain ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids or salicylic acid that can help clear breakouts, too. But you don't need a fancy brand. Even simple witch hazel works to remove excess oil, and it's super cheap (about a dollar for 16 ounces).

3. Think Oil-Free and Water-Based

Obviously, you don't want to put more oil onto your skin. All products you apply to your face should be oil-free, including moisturizers, sunscreen, and makeup.
You might also prefer water-based acne treatments rather than creams or ointments. Acne treatment gels and solutions feel lighter on the skin.

4. Don't Scrub

Oily-skinned folks especially seem conditioned to scrubbing away at the skin, and it can be a hard habit to break. After all, won't scrubbing at the skin help deep-clean the pores, clear acne and reduce oiliness?

Surprisingly, no. Rubbing the skin with abrasive scrubs, pads, or washcloths won't make your skin less oily and won't improve acne. It will irritate the skin, though.

Oily or not, be kind to your skin and treat it gently.
5. Know Your Pores

Large pores and oily skin seem to go hand in hand. Often, enlarged pores are just as frustrating and upsetting as acne itself.

Instead of spending big bucks on salon products promising to shrink large pores, focus on using your acne treatments. Many of these medications, like topical retinoids for example, make large pores appear smaller while clearing acne. So you're improving the look of your pores while treating acne.
Be patient, though. Just like all good things, improvement takes time. And don't hesitate to call your dermatologist if you need help.

Source: http://acne.about.com/od/treatmenttips/tp/Treat-Acne-And-Oily-Skin.htm

Best Treatment for Hormonal Acne

One of the toughest types of acne to get rid of is hormonal acne. This is because acne is not really the main problem, but simply a symptom of a more serious internal health problem or imbalance. It’s an obvious sign that your body’s crying out for help. That’s why topical skin care products (no matter how amazing) or contraceptive pills or eating ‘pretty healthy’ often still don’t work against stubborn hormonal acne.

My own struggle with acne was primarily due to hormonal imbalances, and it took me a while to figure out hormones, how they relate to acne, and how to eventually cure my own acne. So I know how frustrating it can be when you feel like you’ve tried everything; you’re eating super healthy organic food, taking helpful supplements, using top quality natural skin care products, you’re exercising and meditating daily, you’re detoxing regularly etc…..and you still can’t get rid of your acne completely! I was once at that stage and it just made me feel hopeless and just want to give up :(.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may need some extra help, some more info and a different approach, when it comes to hormonal acne. It’s really helpful and important to not only figure out whether your acne is hormone related (and not just due to toxicity due to years of an unhealthy lifestyle) but also figure out exactly how your hormones are unbalanced, what kind of imbalance it is, how it came to develop in the first place, and what specifically can you do to balance your hormones and regulate your sebum production for your unique situation (since everybody’s health, body, and acne situation is different).

Plenty of times I’ve been to the doctor or dermatologist to try and find out more about my hormonal acne, only to be put on the contraceptive pill (which only made my hormonal balance worse and made me break out even more when I tried to go off it). I felt like it was so difficult to find any real answers, and I spent a lot of years doing my own research, looking through forums, testing things on myself until I finally managed to re-balance my hormones and clear my skin. So I want to share with you what I’ve learnt about hormonal acne in the hopes that it will help you too :).

We all know that one of the main contributors to acne is overactive oil glands in your skin that produce excess sebum (oil) that then collects in your skin, blocking hair follicles and pores. This forms plugs that prevent the normal drainage of oil and also causes dead skin cells to become trapped. Bacteria in your skin then feed on the excess sebum which causes an infection which results in a pimple.

So you can understand why many doctors and dermatologists say excess sebum is the cause of acne. But really, it’s not. Excess sebum is just another symptom of a bigger problem within your body that’s causing it. Instead of getting rid of the symptom (excess sebum) by using harsh drugs and chemicals, we need to actually fix the root cause of excess sebum and acne.

2 Main Causes of Excess Sebum:

1. Toxins
2. Excess Hormones (androgens)

Excess toxins that your body has to expel through the skin can be caused by:

• Sluggish digestion, poor kidney and liver function
• Candida overgrowth
• Bad diet (junk food/low quality food)
• Chemicals in food and environment
• Allergies and Food Intolerances

Hormonal imbalances (particularly excess androgens) also increase sebum production. Hormonal imbalances can be caused by:

• Emotional stress
• Physical stress
• Environmental synthetic hormones (e.g. xenoestorgens in plastic)
• Hormones in animal produce/food
• Contraceptive pills
• Genetic predisposition
• Bad Diet, Poor Nutrition

As you can see, a lot of the root causes of hormonal imbalances are diet, lifestyle and emotional health related. These causes result in certain types hormonal imbalances that I’ve found to be common in acne sufferers:

• Adrenal Stress/Fatigue with elevated Cortisol levels
• Estrogen Dominance (Low Progesterone)
• Hypothyroidism
• Insulin Resistance
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

How Hormonal Imbalances Result In Acne

A lot of you already know that the main group of hormones that help to control sebum production is androgens (male hormones). In particular Testosterone, and even more specifically a type of Testosterone called DHT (which is formed when Testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme called 5 Alpha Reductase).

It’s really helpful to realize that hormones are like a team that all work together. They ALL impact each other in different ways. So even though ‘excess androgens’ is what causes increased oil production there can be different reasons why you have excess androgens in the first place. For example, you may be lacking in other hormones that usually balance out androgens and so your androgen production may be a little out of control. You could also have a hormonal imbalance that causes an increase in the enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase so you may have an increased amount of Testosterone being converted to DHT resulting in more oil production and more acne. I don’t want to get too technical, but I guess my point is, different people have different reasons to why they may have excess androgens, and any imbalance in your other hormones can send your androgen levels out of whack too.

The type of hormonal imbalances and their root causes probably need an article each to explain how you can tell if you’ve got a problem with it and what specifically you can do about it. So I’ll write an article on each in the future. But here are a few general things you can do to help balance your hormones overall:

1) De-stress!

Please don’t underestimate the impact this has on your hormones and acne. Any time you’re stressed your adrenal glands pumps out Cortisol that contributes to increased androgens and increased acne.

2) Eat a Low GI Organic Diet

Cut out all bad food, especially stimulants and sugar. Eat low GI, healthy organic food. Cut down on fruits too (even though they’re good, don’t eat too much because the sugar can be stimulating and add stress).

3) Eat plenty of Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty can help reduce the production of androgens and balance hormones. People with acne have been shown to have deficiencies in EFAs. You can also apply topically to your body, face and hair for added benefits.

• Flaxseed Oil (15-60ml per day)
• Omega 3 Fish Oil (5ml per day)
• GLA from Evening Primrose Oil (5ml per day)
• Sunflower Seeds
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Grape Seed Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Avocadoes
• Olives
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Coconut Oil

4) Make sure you’ve got enough of these Vitamins and Minerals

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B’s (especially Vitamin B6)
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Vitamin A

5) Herbs that help to balance hormones

• Licorice
• Rhodiola
• Schisandra
• Ashwagandha
• Holy Basil
• Chasteberry (Vitex Agnus-Castus)
• Maca
• Burdock
• Milk Thistle

6) Natural Anti-Androgrens

• Green Tea Extract
• Saw Palmetto
• Nettle
• Spearmint Tea
• Pumpkin Seed Oil
• Emu Oil
• Soy Isoflavones
• Beta Sitosterols
• Alzelaic Acid

These are just some general herbs and important vitamins and guidelines of things that can be very helpful for balancing your hormones overall. Make sure to do your own research to make sure something’s right for you.

The most important thing you should do first is to go and get your hormones tested with a saliva test (more accurate than a blood test). It’ll give you a better picture of what you need to work on, and like I said earlier, I’ll be writing more articles that go into detail on some of the things above that will give you more specifics and hopefully help you :)

Remember, if you’re suffering from hormonal acne and nothing you’ve tried seems to be working, please don’t give up. It may take a while to re-balance your hormones again, but once you do, it will be soo worth it!

Best Acne Treatment for Sensitive Skin

The American Academy of Dermatology explains that while millions of people have sensitive skin, there is no exact definition of what this actually entails. If you have oily skin or skin with high levels of the bacteria P. acnes that results in breakouts; a condition known as rosacea that causes facial flushing, pimples and broken blood vessels; burning and stinging of the skin; and skin allergies, you can alter your acne-treatment regimen to minimize symptoms.

Cleansing

One of the most important parts of any skin-care and acne-treatment regimen is cleansing your skin twice a day. The Acne Resource Center explains that acne-infected skin needs special handling. You should use a mild cleanser. Avoid soaps that have fragrances and dyes, since they may trigger an allergic reaction. You should also wash your skin following a workout or strenuous activity that causes you to perspire. When washing, do not scrub your skin since it can aggravate your irritation. Instead, use an oil-absorbing, microfiber cloth.

Moisturizing
The Mayo Clinic reports that moisturizers help to protect sensitive skin. One ingredient you'll want to avoid is added fragrances. Perfumes do not just give moisturizers a pleasant odor, they also mask the smell of the ingredients used to make the product. Most likely it's the added perfumes that causes your irritation or contact allergies. While you need to moisturize your skin daily, be sure to use a fragrance-free and dye-free product.

Over-the-Counter Medications
Even for people with healthy skin, many over-the-counter acne medications can cause irritation. Benzoyl peroxide works by drying the top layers of dermis and killing the bacteria that causes acne. For some, this topical medication can be extraordinarily drying and irritating. Benzoyl peroxide comes in three formulations, 2.5 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent. Daniel Kern of Acne.org suggests starting with the lowest dose first. Only apply the medication twice a day. If your skin burns, becomes itchy or develops a rash, stop using it.

Salicylic acid slows the cells inside the hair follicle from shedding. Side effects of this medication, according to the Mayo Clinic, are stinging and irritation. You can wash your skin with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid, or use salicylic acid pads to apply the medication directly to your skin. If you find the medication intolerable, it's best to stop using it immediately and try another medication.

Prescription Medications
You should only use a prescription acne medication if your breakouts do not respond to over-the-counter medications. Antibiotics work by killing and reducing the amount of bacteria in and around pores. Doctors typically prescribe clindamycin, erythromycin and other oral antibiotics to treat breakouts. While the side effects of this medication will not affect your skin, the Mayo Clinic indicates that it could cause increased sensitivity to the sun.

Cortisone injections are steroids made from hormones produced naturally in the body. Very rarely does cortisone cause an allergic reaction. This form of treatment is best for large nodules or cystic acne.

Considerations

When treating acne and sensitive skin, you may want to consult your physician or a skin care specialist. A dermatologist will know all the possible side effects affiliated with over-the-counter and prescription acne medication. While you may have a reaction to certain medications, you may only need to reduce the frequency of use, or use a lower dosage, rather than abandoning a very good medication altogether. You can find a skin specialist near you by using the American Academy of Dermatology's dermatologist locator.

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/258148-the-best-acne-treatment-for-sensitive-skin/

Homeopathic Treatment For Acne Reviews

Although most common during adolescence, acne can occur at other times in life, especially during times of hormonal shifts. Blackheads or pimples may be a problem on the face, neck, chest, and back when pores become infected or clogged with oil. The bacteria involved are always present on normal skin. Therefore, improving the skin’s resistance to infection is important. Most cases of acne can be resolved through hygiene and nutrition. Remedies may be helpful during flare-ups, but a constitutional remedy, prescribed by an experienced homeopath, is the most appropriate way to deal with severe or persistent skin problems.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is Homeopathy?

Antimonium tartaricum: This remedy may be helpful for acne with large pustules that are tender to touch, with bluish-red marks that remain on the skin after active infection has passed. The person may be irritable, with low resistance to illness.

Calcarea carbonica: If a person with frequent pimples and skin eruptions is chilly with clammy hands and feet, easily tired by exertion, and flabby or overweight, this remedy may help improve the skin’s resistance to infection. People who need this remedy are often very anxious when overworked, and have cravings for sweets and eggs.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum: This remedy may be indicated when the skin is easily infected, slow to heal, and painful eruptions like boils appear. The pimples are very sensitive to touch and slow to come to a head; eventually, offensive-smelling pus may form. A person who needs Hepar sulph is usually chilly, sensitive to cold in any form, and feel irritable and touchy.

Pulsatilla: This remedy can be helpful if acne is worse from eating rich or fatty foods, and aggravated by warmth or heat. It is indicated especially around the time of puberty, or when acne breaks out near menstrual periods. The person often has a fair complexion and is inclined toward soft emotions and moodiness, feeling worse in warm or stuffy rooms and better in fresh air.

Silicea (also called Silica): A person with deep-seated acne along with a general low immune resistance, swollen lymph nodes, and a tendency toward fatigue and nervousness may benefit from this remedy. Infected spots are slow to come to a head, and also slow to resolve, so may result in scarring. A person who needs this remedy is generally very chilly, but inclined to sweat at night.

Sulphur: Itching, sore, inflamed eruptions with reddish or dirty-looking skin often indicate a need for Sulphur. Itching may be worse from scratching, and worse from any form of heat—especially bathing or washing. Individuals who need this remedy are often inclined toward convoluted mental notions and tend to give order and neatness a low priority.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions
Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.

Source: http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/2192001.html

Dermatologist Recommended Acne Treatment

When to see a dermatologist

You should see a doctor when treating acne yourself using OTC products isn’t improving your skin condition. Your family doctor or a dermatologist can help even with mild cases of acne. That’s because even mild acne can still potentially lead to scarring, and there is no way of predicting if mild acne will progress to becoming more severe over time.

What are the different kinds of treatment?

No matter how mild or brief acne can be, seeking treatment sooner rather than later is key to getting it under control and limiting the chances of permanent scarring. There’s no telling whether a mild case of acne will progress to a more severe form, continue into adulthood or disappear before you can say goodbye to your teen years.

Acne treatments are aimed at achieving a few things: decrease sebum production, kill acne bacteria (P. acnes), help to normalize skin shedding, and fight inflammation.

Non-prescription Medications (OTC)

For mild acne, you can usually try over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments first before turning to your doctor for help. They are usually milder than prescription-strength products and are readily accessible. OTC acne treatments can include medicated cleansers and topical creams and gels.

Active ingredients usually include salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in various concentrations. Salicylic acid boasts anti-inflammatory and peeling action while benzoyl peroxide is known to cause drying and slight peeling, and it kills bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide-based cleansers and creams are available in concentrations of 5 per cent or less; they are available in higher concentrations (10 per cent) by prescription. Whatever you try, it’s important to stick to the treatment for one to two months before you can see a difference. Visit your doctor if you don’t notice improvement within 6-8 weeks.

What you should know:

• Topical medication should be applied to the entire affected area, not just individual pimples.
• You should also be aware that applying more won’t work better or faster, so apply a thin layer evenly.
• Use product as directed on the label and as recommended by your doctor.
• Products containing benzoyl peroxide can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so reduce your sun exposure and wear sun protection.
• Apply your acne medication first and let it dry before applying any make-up.
• Keep using your treatment even after acne has visibly improved in order to prevent new acne from forming.

Prescription Medications

Prescription-strength acne treatments can include topical formulations, such as antibiotics and retinoids (vitamin A derivatives). Oral (or systemic) medication can include antibiotics, retinoids, or hormonal agents (i.e. birth control pill).

Topical antibiotics (i.e. erythromycin, clindamycin) can be recommended to help control the inflammation associated with the redness and swelling of acne.

Oral antibiotics (i.e. tetracycline, minocycline) are usually indicated for moderate to severe acne of the chest, back, and shoulders. They work by reducing the presence of P. acnes bacteria.

What you should know:

• Generally, topical antibiotics aren’t recommended for long-term treatment, since there is a tendency for antibiotic resistance to occur with prolonged use — meaning that treatment is no longer effective in killing acne bacteria.
• Often, your doctor may prescribe a combination product that contains both benzoyl peroxide and a topical antibiotic.

Hormonal agents such as oral contraceptives (OCs) are recommended for moderate to severe acne (e.g. cystic) after other treatments have failed. Often used for acne that begins or worsens in adulthood. Acne that responds well to OCs is the type of acne that flares up in the “premenstrual” part of the cycle and acne that occurs along the jaw line, which is usually hormonal.

What you should know:

• Acne may worsen in the first one to three months of treatment.
• You shouldn’t take this kind of medication if you are pregnant, since hormonal agents can cause birth defects.
• Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels from use of these hormonal agents.
• Hormonal agents and oral contraceptives are generally not recommended for women over 35.

Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) are prescribed only to treat severe cases of acne that doe not respond well to other treatment options. They are available in both topical and oral forms. Topical retinoids (i.e. tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene) help skin cells turn over more efficiently and reduce inflammation. Oral forms (i.e. isotretinoin) are reserved for the most stubborn cases of severe acne.

What you should know:

• Isotretinoin products must not be used during pregnancy due to the risk of severe birth defects and miscarriage when used for any length of time. (Health Canada warns that taking even a single dose can affect a developing fetus.)
• You must avoid pregnancy or breastfeeding while using isotretinoin products, since they may harm a child.
• When treating women of childbearing age, doctors must strictly follow the manufacturer’s risk management program, including educating the patient about potential risks of this drug; information about birth control options; and having the patient sign a consent form, among other things.
• Oral isotretinoin products have been linked to depression and even suicide in some people. They can also increase your chances of developing diabetes, liver disease or heart disease in those with a family history.
• Isotretinoin products may also increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and cause reduced night vision, which can come on suddenly.
• Topical retinoids can cause redness and peeling, so you should avoid using them near the eyes, mouth or nose.

Why it is important to stick with treatment?

Once your doctor has prescribed a treatment for you, you should use it properly and keep using it for as long as your doctor recommends. Many kinds of acne medication initially cause dryness, visible peeling, flaking, redness, irritation, and/or possibly even acne flare-ups. In some cases, acne can get worse before it gets better. Any of these unwanted effects can lead some patients to stop treatment early and even report to their doctor that it isn’t working. That’s why it’s vital to ask and understand why your doctor prescribed a certain treatment, how to use it, how long to use it, what results to expect and when you can expect to see an improvement in your skin.

Your doctor may suggest easing into a treatment regimen to allow your skin to get used to it. For example, s/he may advise you to apply a topical treatment for 15 minutes at first, then double the time daily until you get to four hours. Your skin should be used to the product by then, so you should be able to apply and leave it on all day or night without any significant irritation. An alternative approach is to alternate the days you use a product, so you would use it one night and skip it the next night until your skin gets used to it. Any skin irritation due to treatment should subside after a few days of use.

Source: http://www.dermatology.ca/skin-hair-nails/skin/acne/when-to-see-a-dermatologist-2/