Acne Remedies: Wish I Had Known These Sooner!
On his way to art class, Joshua Vasquez noticed his first zit. He was worried that everyone was looking at him. However Joshua is lucky that there are many good acne remedies available.
Acne can strike anytime, anywhere. It doesn't matter what your gender, race, or age are. It is true that adolescents and young adults are most often the victims. About 85% of people in this age group suffer from acne, and of those affected ones about 23% will suffer acne so severe that it leaves permanent scarring.
Adults, though, are not immune from acne. The American Dermatologist Association reports that about 20% of all those over the age of 24 have active acne lesions. This boils down to about 60 million Americans, teens through adults have active acne and 20 million Americans have acne that is bad enough to cause permanent scars. Surprisingly, only an estimated 10% of those affected with acne will seek medical advice, but this is partly due to the social stigma that acne carries.
For those that suffer from acne, there is a ray of hope. Knowing common triggers for acne breakouts, as well as knowing what successfully treats your acne and what doesn't, is the most important step toward having clear and smooth skin.
While acne is not contagious, there are some known things that do contribute to a case of getting acne lesions. To make it easy, acne is caused when the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. Other causes may include:
Acne can have a genetic factor but can all be affected by environmental pollution, humidity, drying out the skin, skin irritation, medications, hormonal imbalances, hormones, oil based cosmetics, anxiety and stress and the cleaning the skin properly.
Save your time and money.
It's true that some acne remedies could help, but the truth is that many do not. Especially if you buy an over-the-counter treatment, you need to be careful. Many commercial remedies are abrasive and cruel to your skin. They could even worsen your acne! Take care to choose a product that is gentle.
What Actually Works
Four things are guaranteed to help acne. Together they pack a powerful punch to make acne a former problem.
* Healthy diet * Adequate sleep * Water * Proper cleansing
To treat existing acne, try natural products like tea tree oil which has strong antiseptic properties and is very effective. Witch hazel is a helpful skin toner and it can provide a healthy glow. Mint is a good spot treatment, especially for cystic acne. It will cool and sooth the skin while killing bacteria in the process.
Out of the various do-it-yourself masks, a good cleansing and firming mask is one made out of egg white and corn starch. Apply a mixture of egg white and corn starch to clean skin and let it dry. Using a wet cloth, take the mask off, and rinse well. You will be left with wonderful skin.
An Ounce of Prevention!
When it comes to acne, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Eating a healthy diet that is low in fat, getting enough servings of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains will go a long way to curb acne outbreaks. In particular, dark green leafy vegetables are good for keeping acne at bay. Getting enough water is also important, as is getting sufficient sleep each night. Doctors recommend seven to eight hours of sleep.
Finally, proper cleaning of your skin is necessary for keeping it clear. Take time to cleanse your skin every day. If you wear cosmetic makeup, take it off each night before retiring. When you wash your skin, use a cleanser that is gentle and be sure that the water is not too hot. Don't over cleanse or scrub because that can increase your acne. Rinse your skin well and blot dry with a clean towel. When you take the time to prevent acne, you won't have to spend time getting rid of it.
The Acne Help Page is an online knowledgebase covering everything related to acne and acne remedies. Here you can find information on what causes acne to common treatment options and formulating your own acne remedy. Read other's experiences on what can help acne at the treatment results page.
Published March 25th, 2008
Filed in Health