Over the Counter Acne Treatments that Work!

Everybody deals with Acne at some stage in their life and some will experience it worse than others. Some forms of Acne are significantly milder than others. However the vast majority of men and women will experience Acne in some degree of severity.

Despite the fact that no direct link has been established, it is believed that Acne might be aggravated by factors like stress, diet, air-quality and life-style choices. But the primary aspects causing Cystic Acne are hormonal imbalances and genetics. Everyone, at some time in their lives will go through a period when their hormones seem to get messed up (puberty and pregnancy are prime examples).

Fortunately there are lots of over the counter drugs available to help men and women deal with Cystic Acne. How well they function for you will pretty significantly be determined by three factors: The product’s active ingredients, the cause of the patient’s Acne and the patient’s skin type.

Not all Cystic Acne remedies will work for everyone due to the many types of active ingredients they contain and how they affect each sufferer. The active ingredient Salicylic Acid works by minimizing the quantity of dead pores and skin. The active ingredient Benzoyl Peroxide is effective in minimizing the Acne causing bacteria (a naturally occurring skin bacteria).

The following are descriptions of active ingredients found in most over-the-counter Acne treating drugs:

Benzoyl Peroxide: Benzoyl Peroxide is the ‘wonder drug’ inside most Cystic Acne remedies; it performs by reducing the normal P.Acnes bacteria and reduces the quantity of dead pores and skin cells. By controling these two activities, Benzoyl Peroxide manages to decrease the effects of two of the main causes of Comedones (the pus-filled zits which are associated with Acne). Benzoyl Peroxide has been employed for years in Cystic Acne remedies since it was discovered as being really successful in treating this skin condition.

You can find (on the Internet) several ‘personal’ recommendations for Benzoyl Peroxide and details about how it can be utilized to successfully treat Cystic Acne. However as with most remedies, you must use any medication containing Benzoyl Peroxide as directed on the product’s label or as advised by a health practitioner. Benzoyl Peroxide, when over-used, has the side-effect of drying out your skin and can also discolour any fabrics or materials it comes into contact with. You can get Benzoyl Peroxide in the form of lotion or gel and you can use it as a Cystic Acne preventative medication even after your Acne has cleared up.

Alcohol and acetone: Alcohol and acetone are utilized together in some over-the-counter pimple medications. Alcohol is very effective in killing external bacteria while Acetone makes the skin significantly less oily.

“Herbal”, “organic” and “natural” products: You’ll uncover some OTC items with labels like “herbal,” “organic” and “natural”. These medications are marketed this way to appeal to folks who are attracted to items with these types of labels. These medications may or may not be effective in the treatment of Cystic Acne and actual test results have proven inconclusive.

Resorcinol: The efficient ingredient Resorcinol has been found to work well in the treatment of small pimple blemishes and is generally used in some OTC items in combination with Sulfur.

Sulfur itself has been employed in a number of OTC drugs for decades. You may come across this product typically used in combination with proven to work ingredients like Alcohol, Salicylic Acid and Resorcinol. Sulfur might have been identified to be an efficient pimple therapy for numerous individuals, but it doesn’t seem to be known exactly how effective it is. Also, medications containing sulfur tend to have an unpleasant smell.

The extremely effective component Salicylic Acid is commonly used for Cystic Acne blemishes when there is no infection present. Salicylic Acid works through unclogging clogged-up pores to reduce the amount of Cystic Acne blemishes created – Salicylic acid does this by reducing the quantity of dead epidermis cells. It has no identified effect in the production of Sebum or the production of P.Acnes bacteria. It is usually recommended with solutions containing Benzoyl Peroxide. Items with Salicylic Acid as the effective ingredient can be used even after the pimple clears up to prevent its return. One known possible side-effect of Salicylic Acid is that it causes skin irritation in many individuals.

Everyone’s skin is different! Some individuals have dry skin, where others have oily skin and most individuals have a combination of the two in many areas of their bodies. Cystic Acne in areas of oily skin will respond significantly better to a gel based Acne medication. Cystic Acne on dry skin responds far better to a cream type medication.

Those with sensitive skin ought to not use real strong Acne medication. It could lead to skin irritation or even make your Acne worse!

Some of the milder Acne treatments are generally utilised as being a preventative measure and some (like those with Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid) are suggested to be used as a post-acne preventative measure, but it must be used with extreme care because medications containing high concentrations of Benzoyl Peroxide are too strong and will irritate your skin.

If your case of Cystic Acne is not severe and it seems manageable, you might be able to control and eventually get rid of it with an OTC medication. On the other hand, if your Cystic Acne seems out of control or painful or too stressful to handle, be sure to see a dermatologist!

Acne and Face Washing

One of the worst things about acne is that it makes you feel so unclean. It doesn’t help that many people are under the mistaken impression that pimples are caused by bad hygiene. These same folks may suggest that you need to wash your face more often, or scrub harder, or use stronger soap. However, following their advice could make your acne even worse.

Contrary to what you may have been told, acne isn’t caused by dirt at all. The problem has more to do with the way the skin cells lining the inside of your pores react to your body’s natural hormones. Although washing your face helps slough off the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, it’s rarely enough to prevent the formation of pimples. Other remedies in addition to face washing are necessary to keep acne under control.

It’s a good idea to gently wash your face every day. However, except for those times when you work up a sweat, you shouldn’t do it more than twice a day. Doing it too much could dry out and irritate your skin, potentially leading to more breakouts.

The number one mistake most acne sufferers make when washing their faces is that they scrub too vigorously. You don’t need to rub very hard to loosen the dead skin cells. In fact, scrubbing will irritate your skin and inflame your acne even more. Scrubbing can damage the upper layer of your skin and make it even more vulnerable to bacteria. Instead of using a washcloth, it’s far better to rub your face in gentle circular motions with your fingers.

It’s a myth that hot water will open up your pores and allow deeper cleansing. That’s not the way pores work: They are not little doors that open and close in response to changing temperatures. In fact, hot water could aggravate your skin. Use lukewarm water instead.

You should use a very mild soap or face wash that’s formulated for your skin type. If you have oily skin, you may only need an astringent or toner. If you have dry skin, you should pick something that hydrates and moisturizes. However, most people have combination skin. This means parts of their face tend to be oily (the forehead and nose for example), while other parts tend to be more dry. That’s why you may need more than one cleaning product for your face.

It’s always a good idea to follow up with moisturizer. Although many people are afraid to use moisturizer, you don’t have to worry: Noncomedogenic moisturizer won’t clog up your pores. In fact, you’ll need moisturizer if you’re using a product or medication that has a drying effect on your skin. Also, it’s very important to use sunscreen, since many acne-fighting products will make your skin more sensitive to sun damage.

Although it’s a myth that poor hygiene causes acne, gently washing your face once or twice a day will help control the problem to a degree. Just remember to be gentle, use appropriate cleansers, and follow up with moisturizer and sunscreen.

How To Determine The Best Skin Care Product for Your Skin

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of acne skin care products available in the market these days. Therefore it can be quite difficult to choose the right one. Moreover, advertisements and media campaigns add to our confusion. Companies that sell those skin care product use beautiful models in their advertisements who tell us how these skin care products make them look so beautiful and sexy.

Many of us, of course, does not believe all these “ad talks”, however it can influence and confuse us. If you are having a difficult time to decide which acne skin care product to choose you should turn a deaf ear to all those advertisements and focus on finding the solutions to the skin problems you have.  Below are some tips that will help you to choose the right product for your skin problems.

Know The Source Of Your Skin Problems

It is very important to understand the nature and causes of acne. You will be unable to find the correct acne skin care product if you do not know what causes your skin problems. There are many factors that may cause acne including bacteria, hormones, blocked bores, follicle fallout and many others. Simple cases such as blocked pores can be solved with just cleansers.

In the majority of cases, cleaning the pores with over-the-counter skin cleanser and a mild soap will make a huge difference in a very short period of time. But, if your skin is dry and sensitive, you should be extra careful with soap and other over-the-counter products. Always read the labels carefully and make sure that the product is free of alcohol and other antiseptics. Make sure you use only very gentle products with low ph so they do not cause the further drying of your skin.

However, bacterial infections are much more difficult to remove. In case your acne is caused by bacteria, you will need much stronger acne skin care products. Be aware that the bacteria on your skin can spread really fast and can bring about some unsightly looking imflammations.

You will probably have to use stronger products and antibiotics to get rid of inflammation. It is also strongly recommended that in more serious cases you consult your dermatologist. With more severe acne outbreaks you should avoid self medication as you might cause more harm than good

7 Home Remedies to Minimize Acne Scars

Acne scars are the result of facial skin being ravaged over a long period of time by acne. After you have managed to clear up the acne, you find that it is not the end of your tragedy. You are left with ugly, hyper-pigmented scars and they are just as much an embarrassment as the acne itself.

There are various home remedies for acne scars, just as there are various home remedies for the acne itself. There are different types of acne scars, some are scars are deep-pitted, while others are just surface skin pigmentations. These differences make it impossible for all natural home remedies to wok on all acne scars. If one home remedy doesn’t work for you try another.

Home remedies for acne scars are convenient because they are easy to make and easier to apply. Rosehip seed oil is an excellent option. Although it may be difficult to find, this oil functions as an anti-ageing agent and helps in wrinkle reduction and skin regeneration. The oil is often used in many cosmetic products to cure facial or surgical scars, sun damage, etc. Rosehip oil has to be used on acne scars twice daily.

Olive oil is another home remedy for acne scars. Olive oil is an age old secret dating back to the Romans and Greeks. Olives are high in polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. This is how olive oil can moisturize and heal the acne scars. Rub olive oil on your skin at night in place of a traditional chemical laden moisturizer, for beautiful results.

One of the most effective home remedies for acne scars is a mixture of nutmeg and honey, 1 teaspoon each. This has to be applied on the affected area and washed off with cold water after 20 minutes. If this is done regularly twice a week over a period of 2 months, acne scars should be less noticeable.

Another useful method among the many home remedies for acne scars is to make a paste of fresh fenugreek leaves. This has to be applied at night, too. Apply before bedtime and wash off in the morning, this time with warm water. It also works towards the prevention of pimples and blackheads. If this is not convenient for you, try a paste of nutmeg and milk. When applied on the scars or blackheads over a period of 10-12 nights it will work wonders on acne scars and also give you a clean face.

There are even more numerous home remedies for acne scars. An ingredient as basic as baking soda may be of great help. The preparation is simple: mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of mineral water and apply it on your face in a circular motion. Wash it with cold water after one minute of scrubbing and you will have silky-smooth skin.

If you don’t have time to make all these pastes or mixtures there are other solutions to your problem. Just apply tomato and cucumber juice on your face. Another remedy it try is to gently stir an egg white and apply liberally to your face. Go for any of these “unusual” remedies and bypass the expensive products. Acne scar home remedies can be simple and effective if you have patience and are conscientious.

Misunderstanding Acne

With the appearance of those red things on your skin you begin to think what might be causing it. You might even think of the most unreasonable things. Stopping these misunderstandings is the best thing. When you think about them you will have a difficult time finding the correct cure for  acne problem.

Below are the most common things that come to our minds when we think of acne causes.

One of the most common misconceptions is that it’s OK to have acne particularly for a  teenager. People often blame it on the puberty or adolescence. It’s not true, as a matter of fact this is very wrong. Of course, there might be some particular issues such as hormonal changes. But this is a huge misunderstanding when people commenting that acne is teens problem only and no adult can suffer from it. As we could read is some magazine or see on the TV, lot of adults who suffer from the same acne problem as teenagers do. Acne may effect teenagers more but effect anybody irrespective of age and only if you clean your face regularly, you wouldn’t be prone to suffer from Acne.

One more misunderstanding: People believe stress is another factor which causes acne is . Many people are convinced about this  but in reality it is not. There is no proven connection between acne and stress. No matter what causes the stress, the stress will not cause acne. Acne has related to  your treatment and care for your skin. If you are not taking skincare  properly you will most probably suffer from acne – something you want to avoid at all cost.

Many people consider acne as only a physical problem. Well, it is, but it is an emotional problem as well. There are plenty of emotional effects that may be caused by acne. One of the most common emotional impacts is low self-esteem. People with acne feel very insecure and they are usually shy as they do not want to show their faces.

Another very common misunderstanding that eating fatty foods causes acne. Chocolates, French fries, desserts and all those greasy foods shouldn’t  be blamed  and not directly connected for causing acne.

You need to make sure that you maintain the right skin routine and keep your face always clean.

It is crucial that you understand the real reasons and issues

Acne Foods for Prevention

Most people know about some of the foods that have a tendency to cause acne such as greasy pizza, burgers or chocolate, but there are actually foods that can prevent acne, too. This article gives an overview of some of the possible foods and diets to reduce breakouts from acne.

            Acne foods can help a problem most people have dealt with since they were teenagers. We all hope it will go away once we get past the last of the “teen” years, but when we hit twenty it seems like it still plagues a lot of us. While there are a number of different reasons why it affects people the way it does, there are also a number of ways to prevent acne through food and/or diet. There are acne foods that you can make a habit of eating to prevent acne or lessen the flare-up of acne.

            Water is the number one liquid for helping to emolliate all health issues and acne is no different. One of the factors that create acne is dry skin. Drinking water replenishes the water in the body and thus moisturizes your skin. Watermelon and other melons provide moisture to your skin internally and is helpful because in includes a few vitamins that keep the skin healthy through food.

            Green tea has been promoted as one of the “super acne foods” but you drink it instead of eating it. Not only is Green Tea healthy for your skin it can also help to prevent acne. Try to find organic green tea because it has natural chemicals in it that helps to clean the body of toxins. The oil and sebum that builds up in your pores and creates the pimple, is actually toxins leaving the body. So, if you eliminate the toxins from your body that increase acne irritation you will have begun the first step to acne free skin.   

Walnuts, flaxseed oil, and fish can all be useful acne preventing foods, and even helpful for treating acne. They all contain Omega-3, which is a natural anti-oxidant that is great for the skin. It helps repair the skin as well as keep it moist and flexible and that means healthier skin. There are also supplements that can be used for getting Omega-3 into the system, although fresh foods will give your body the best quality vitamins and minerals.

            Fresh berries are also great foods to eat to reduce eruptions and prevent acne. They have many vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy skin but, most importantly, they all have anti-oxidants in them that help to keep the skin protected from damage and even some types of bacteria. These chemicals are completely natural so they do not have harmful side effects.

            There are also other acne foods that you can apply to your skin rather than eat to keep your skin in great condition and acne free. As an example, you can use the watermelon rind (after you have eaten the watermelon) on your face to help the skin directly absorb some of the moisture and nutrients to prevent the eruption of acne. Crazy, huh?

Cystic Acne Home Remedies

Cystic acne can be a serious problem and lead to other skin conditions later, such as scarring – or worse. Treating it immediately will give you a better chance to eliminate the problem. There are cystic acne home remedies you can do for yourself to treat it.

 

            If you are dealing with cystic acne you should go to an endocrinologist for advice about medical treatments and procedures first before trying these cystic acne home remedies. But, if you are not happy or the medications do not work for you, there are many other natural remedies to try. Not only can chemical medications have side effects but also you may grow to be dependent on them for the rest of your life. Instead, try a few of these natural remedies for cystic acne that you can do right in your own home.

            A lot of people use face cleansers that are very expensive and make claims that cannot be supported, and they don’t always work. You can actually make your own face cleanser by just combining baking soda and water. Take about a ¼ cup of baking soda and place it into a container of your choice. Then slowly add water while stirring until it becomes like a thick paste. You’ll know your own thickness preference (but don’t use too much water or it will be “runny”). Typically half of the amount that you used for the baking soda will be enough. Then spread it over your face like a mask and let it dry for 15 minutes. It will get crumbly and some may come off but leave it on. At 15 minutes wash it off and your face will be clean and oil-free.

            You can follow up that remedy with a facial scrub for the dead skin. This is just another of the cystic acne home remedies . Cleaning off the dead skin can help reduce acne and keep your face extra smooth. Start with a lotion you like, preferably one without a strong scent. Cocoa butter actually works wonders. Combine that with a teaspoon of fine grain salt. You want to use salt because it will scrub your face but as long as your rub it on gently it won’t cause damage. Scrub your face with the mixture for about a minute and then rinse it off.

            Aloe Vera is a great herbal remedy for skin healing and acne.  You can find Aloe Vera lip balms, lotions, and other products in most stores. You can also get an essential oil of Aloe Vera, which is an extract of the plant. (If you choose to get the essential oil you’ll want to dilute it before putting it on your face.) Some people will even grow their own Aloe plants to use the plant’s insides directly on their skin, helping their acne as well as other skin conditions like burns, cuts and bruises. Use these cystic acne home remedies to clear up your skin today.

 

Body Acne and How to Control It

Body Acne may be seen as facial acne, but it is far worse. Though most often we don’t bother as much about our back, or the rest of our body, as we do about our face, in the long run it can be more troublesome than its facial counterpart. The first thorny part is that you cannot reach your back easily. Also your back is mostly invisible to you, so by the time you feel the presence of acne it has been there for quite some time! Furthermore, the skin on parts of the human body other than the face is much thicker and has more pores, which increases the oil production and irritation. The increased amount of pores makes you more susceptible to infections and increased acne flare-ups. Topical or oral medications don’t really help in these cases because topical ointments just rub off on our clothing and oral medications are designed to treat facial acne alone, in most cases.

 You might be able to reduce the flare-ups of body acne in the following ways:

• Treatment for body acne and facial acne cannot be considered as the same. Monitor your diet regularly and if your body acne is severe enough to warrant sensitivity tests by your doctor, follow through to find the ingredient or ingredients that lead to acne formation.
• Enhance the amount of fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts in your diet. These will naturally help you to ward off acne attacks because of their vitamin and mineral content. Reducing body acne is a tricky problem but the solution is sometimes very simple.
• It’s prudent to wear loose clothing to enable your body to breathe and not become too oily. Too much oil on the body surface translates into torturous acne!
• Long hair can be beautiful but it also has potential to inflame body acne. Clean your hair regularly so that when it comes in contact with the body it doesn’t lead to the formation of acne.
• In today’s fast-paced life your worst enemy is stress. It can cause numerous problems, including body acne. If you want to know how to reduce body acne the answer lies in decreasing the amount of stress. Take time off to relax and de-stress yourself.

Body acne reduction can be emolliated in commercial creams and lotions, as well. These have three major components, which help in combating acne namely, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. They unclog pores, decrease the amount of oil formation and help to avert acne.

If you want herbal remedies, there are many creams available which have different herbs in them that act as antibiotics and also reduce skin inflammation. Many of these contain neem, yellow dock, sarsaparilla, dandelion root and/or honeysuckle (these can quite often be found in health food stores). Herbal body scrubs open up pores and clean out oil and debris to allow your skin to “breath”. Apricot pit is a common ingredient in these. There are oral antibiotics, too, which include vitamins A, B2, B3 and E. These can be of real help in the treatment of body acne.

The key to reducing body acne may lie in your general health and hygiene, however. Just get into the habit of cleaning your body regularly with antibacterial scrub and taking off sweaty clothes without rubbing or irritating your skin. Get the right amount of sleep, relax and take it easy. It’s always sensible to consult a doctor before you take any medication for body acne. There are always advancements in medicine and alternative discoveries that may improve your chances of leaving body acne behind!

 

 

Five Effective Acne Home Remedies

If you are looking for an effective acne treatment without side effects, try one or more of these five acne home remedies. These are quick to prepare and useful for those who have tried everything on the market. The ingredients are already in your kitchen! But first, do you have any of the following habits?

Are you a prey to excessive use of scented lotions, hair sprays or perfumes? Try to stop using them for a while and see if the acne starts to clear up. These products can often be harmful to your skin and cause it to flare up. Try using a different shampoo like “Head and Shoulders” or “Tresemme” which has Vitamin B.

Do you have a habit of wearing a cap or a hat everyday? Do away with it because you are probably allowing the flaking skin and dirt to fall directly on your face. Keep your face clean and let it breathe.

Do you take drugs like Accutane, Tetracycline or a contraceptive medicine to get rid of acne?  Is it working or is it making your skin dry and irritated? Replace these with internal supplements like Vitamin C, zinc and/or fish oils. These may not give immediate results but are effective home remedies for acne. They may work better than the chemical drugs prescribed or bought off-the-shelf.

If you have eliminated these habits try the following effective home remedies for acne:

1)    No mixture, no paste, just plain and simple honey can work wonders. Honey is a natural antibacterial that can kill germs.  Apply honey on the affected areas and put a piece of tissue over it (to keep from smearing it on your pillow). When you wash your face in the morning the astringent effect will sooth the eruptions.

2)    Rub raw garlic on your face (only if you are home alone!)  Do it several times a day and you will slowly heal the sensitive areas. This is one of the more reliable home remedies for acne.

3)    Lemon juice is another option you have as a treatment. Just apply it on the affected areas and leave it overnight. Sounds too good to be true? It works wonders and is another of the effective home remedies for acne.

4)    You could also apply a paste of fenugreek leaves (these can be bought at a health food store or online) on the infected areas. Wash it off after it dries on your skin.

5)    The last, but the most important tip, is to drink at least 10 glasses of pure water a day. This is a pre-requisite for any acne treatment and will keep your skin moist and supple.

These home remedies are convenient and useful. Most of these can easily be prepared and, more importantly, they don’t ordinarily produce any harmful effects on the skin.

As an extra for women, hormonal treatments are available for acne. An efficient method is to take birth control pills. They have a combination of estrogen and progesterone that helps in the reduction of acne. Some pills may have side effects and the dosage must be regulated for several months. It’s best to consult a physician and find the most suitable one for you. Try these homeopathic treatments before you invest heavily in cosmetics or drugs, these five natural acne home remedies may work best for treatment.

Acne Natural Remedy

The value we get from our face is well known to all of us. The better,the more advantages it gives us. Our face is the 1st thing other people looking at once they look you. We could say that our confidence banks on our personal appearance. When an individual thinks he or she looks fresh, the confidence level goes up.

For teenagers, pimples are the major concern. Lucky are those who don’t have ace problems on their face. For those who suffer from facial acne there is hope, so they should not give up.

Do you suffer from acne? Are spending a small fortune on commercially available acne-treatments? Do you prefer to try something out but afraid it can cause problems? You should therefore try natural ways of curing your acne. The acne natural remedy treatment is exactly there, in your home. The doctor is ‘right there’, within you!

So What is Acne Natural remedy?

The most effective, yet the simplest tip is to drink minimum of 2 litters (about eight glasses) of water a day. Well hydrated body will get rid of toxins much easier. Stay hydrated for healthy body and skin.

Act healthy and stay clean. Make sure you remove all the makeup from your skin. Makeup contributes to blocking pores which results in more pimples and comedones. Remove your makeup before going to bed. Never sleep on with your makeup. In addition to this remember to hold your hair away from your face. Hair contain oil which might clog pores and cause acne outbreaks.

Wash your towels and pillow cases regularly. They are very absorbent so they absorb oils from your face. Also remember to never ever prick your pimples. I do not think you want your skin to be as dirty as your nails.

When you suffer from acne make sure that your diet is well balanced. Good food will help you to clean your body inside. Reduce the consumption of fatty foods. Eat food that is rich in fiber. Additionally, eat food that has considered antioxidant. It will help you to maintain healthy skin. Make sure that you eat nutrient rich in vitamins specifically a Vitamin A, B, D and also rich in magnesium,potassium,calcium,zinc, phosphorus, chloride,iron and sodium.

Another important thing is to eat food high in beta-carotene and zinc. It is not only great to prevent acne, but proves to be very helpful in the healing process and is a good anti-scarring remedy.

Remember that beauty is skin deep. As we totally recognise better-looking skin will make yourself more confident and you’ll surely feel better.