Natural Treatments For Acne
Acne is an all too common skin condition, and in some cases the chemicals used to treat it can further damage the skin. This article focuses on natural treatments for acne.
No scrubbing or rubbing.
You can't scrub your acne away. In fact abrasive or frequent washing can lead to dry skin and irritated acne. Your skin will respond best to kind attention. Gently wash your face no more than twice a day with a mild cleanser and pat your skin dry with a clean towel. If you exercise hard and sweat a lot you may want to wash your face afterwards.
Don't pop pimples.
Don't pop or squeeze pimples, as it could lead to inflammation and infection. It could also push the infected materials deep into the skin and create more swelling. Squeezing or popping pimples could lead to permanent scars on the face.
Breathe deeply.
It is advisable to breathe deeply when you feel stressed. Doctors have found out that there is a direct link between stress and acne. Studies have shown that there is increased amount of androgen production when a person is under stress. Not only mental but physical stress such as allergies, surgery etc could activate the androgen production. When androgen is activated the sebaceous glands pumps out more oil/sebum leading to acne.
Use honey.
Apply a honey mask once a week. Honey is regarded as a disinfectant and also it has medicinal properties believed to heal minor blemishes. It has the properties of destroying the bacteria present in the skin.
Pay kind attention to your skin.
Use a mild cleanser no more than twice a day and gently wash and dry your skin. Apply a noncomedogenic (won't clog your pores) sunscreen.
Patience is a virtue.
Be patient. Healing takes time. Unfortunately this doesn't happen overnight. Results are generally seen in a few weeks, but may take up to 8 weeks or more. Don't be tempted by over night promises. So give your acne treatment a fighting chance.
Use sunscreen.
Many acne medications contain ingredients that can make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight and ultraviolet light from tanning booths. Read the label warnings, avoid tanning booths, and always use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15. Sun exposure can actually irritate acne even if you are not using an acne medication. So don't make sunbathing a part of your lifestyle and always use sunscreen.
More is not better.
If you use more acne medication than directed by your doctor you can actually worsen your acne. Many over-the-counter acne treatments contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Too much of either of these can cause your skin to become excessively dry or irritated. It can take time for your skin to adapt to new medications. Remember that it may take up to 8 weeks for any acne medication to have a noticeable effect. Use the medication exactly as directed by your doctor and if you don't see an improvement within 8 weeks talk with your dermatologist.
Use only noncomedogenic products.
When purchasing cosmetics, sunscreen or other skin care products, make sure the label reads noncomedogenic. These products, as well as those labeled nonacnegenic, won't clog your pores and therefore won't cause or make your acne worse.
Here's the rub.
Headbands and hats can aggravate your acne as they rub against your forehead. Try to avoid these things when possible.
Don't touch your face.
It's amazing how often we touch our faces during an average day. Our hands have oil on them and of course bacteria too, both of which can make acne worse. So avoid touching your face or leaning your chin on your hand. Be sure that other objects that come in contact with your face like cell phones, telephone receivers, eye glasses, etc are clean.
Wash your face.
It is advisable to wash your face at least twice a day with sulfur-based soap. Once when you wake up and again when you go to bed. Do not scrub; just give it a smooth touch. Washing your skin over and over again will create more trouble than help you.
Cut your hair.
If you have long hair it is advisable to cut it short. Your hair contains oil and when you move, the dust particles do mix up with your hair and when your hair bangs on your face or neck or forehead or the affected area, the situation could worsen. Also wash your hair on a daily basis.
Eat fruits and vegetables.
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
Drink lots of water.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Water helps in cleaning and hydrating the skin and maintaining overall health.
Change your pillowcase.
Wash or change your pillowcase every day.
Exercise.
Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and helps eliminate toxins.
Review your environment.
Pollution, airborne grease (such as in a fast food restaurant), irritating clothing - all these can aggravate your acne. It isn't always possible to avoid all the various irritants that may contribute to your acne. You can, however, make educated decisions that may help to minimize their impact. Loosen tight, irritating clothing or find fabrics that breathe better and don't aggravate your acne
Here are some acne treatment products & ebooks that will help you treat your acne: Acne Free In 3 Days
How I Cured My Acne Condition in 3 days book, a step by step program showing you proven home remedy and natural acne treatment to cure pimples,zits,acne & blackheads.  Find out more about "Acne Free In 3 Days" here
Mr X Acne Says You Can Cure Your Acne!
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Acne Cured The E-Book - Adult Acne Treatment
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Acne Guide. By Sufferers For Sufferers
Get rid of your adult acne with a natural acne treatment for zits, blackheads & pimples. Information Product on rid acne, acne remedies, acne cures, causes of acne, back acne, acne products, skin care, acne solutions, blemishes, prevent acne, and oily skin. Find out more about "Acne Guide" here
Acne No More™- Cure Acne Holistically
Acne No More Book: Unique Holistic Acne System Guaranteed To Cure the ROOT Cause Of Your Acne Naturally and Permanently...Giving You LASTING Acne-Free Skin. Home remedy and natural acne treatment to cure pimples,zits,acne & blackheads. Find out more about "Acne No More" here
The Ultimate Acne Solution
The Ultimate Acne Solution is a natural method to clear any form of acne in under 7 days. 100% Effective Step By Step Plan To Rid Acne In Under 7 Days. Find out more about "The Ultimate Acne Solution" here
Acne Treatments That Work Reviews of herbal, OTC, and prescription acne medications that work
There are a plethora of acne medications currently on the market. Some of these are prescription medications, such as accutane. Others are over the counter chemical compounds, such as benzoyl peroxide. There are even herbal based acne medications, such as tea tree oil. However, many of them are not as effective as advertised.
Part of the problem with finding the right acne medication is that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to acne. Different people respond differently to the various medications and treatments. However, there are several acne medications that have been clinically proven to be effective in treating acne, and these are the medications that will stop acne for most people.
Prescription Acne Treatments
Of the prescription medications, Accutane is one of the best. It is a chemical derivative of vitamin A, and is often referred to as the “miracle drug” for acne. Accutane is most effective in the treatment of severe cystic acne, and not to be taken lightly. For some people, the many side effects can be worse than the acne itself. However, this is one treatment that works.
Retin A and Renova are also prescription medications. These are topical derivatives of vitamin A, and are also good at clearing up fine lines, wrinkles, and slight skin discolorations. One of the biggest downsides is sunlight and other topical acne treatments must be avoided while using either of them. However, they are proven to reduce acne.
Birth control pills and antibiotics round out the acne medications most commonly prescribed. Birth control pills are used exclusively by women to help regulate hormones, and therefore lessen the hormonally related acne that many women experience. Antibiotics work by attacking the acne causing p.bateria as it grows deep in skin pores.
Over the Counter Acne Treatments
There are some over the counter acne treatments that work well. The two best are benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.
Benzoyl peroxide works by penetrating the skin pores, and eliminating the acne causing bacteria that grows deep in the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is the most commonly used acne treatment because it is affordable, easily available, and nearly as effective as most prescription medication.
Salicylic acid works by removing the top layers of dead skin cells. This helps the skin renew itself faster, and decreases the chance for pore blockage and a subsequent acne breakout.
Herbal Acne Treatments
The vast majority of acne treatments fall under the heading of “herbal” acne treatments. The reason is because of the lack or regulation for herbal products. This can be very frustrating to the general consumer, because it is impossible to tell which herbal treatment will work to stop acne, and which ones will do very little at all.
Of every herbal treatment available, there are only 2 that are currently proven to stop acne. Tea tree oil will help get rid of acne, and so will green tea cream.
Tea tree oil is an oil derived from one tea tree plant that is unique to Australia. For several hundred years it was touted as a cure all, until penicillin was introduced to fight bacteria. However, tea tree oil has seen a recent revival due in part to study conducted in 1990 that proved it is as effective in treating acne as 5% benzoyl peroxide. Furthermore, it had none of the side effects that benzoyl peroxide does.
Green tea cream has been validated more recently, at the American Academy of Dermatology conference. It was proven that green tea is as effective in treating acne as a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution. Though the study has not been corroborated yet, it demonstrated that there is another herbal treatment besides tea tree oil.
These are some of the acne medications proven to work. For those who are experiencing acne, any of the aforementioned treatments would be well worth trying. |
