What Is In Your Sunscreen?

There is more to sunscreens that meets the eye. Here are a few points you should keep in mind when selecting one:

1. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is not the only way to judge sunscreen. SPF gives an indication of how well a sunscreen will protect your skin from ultraviolet-B light (which causes sunburn and skin cancer. See www.SkinCancerGuide.ca ) but tells you nothing about a sunscreen’s ability to protect you from ultraviolet-A light (which causes wrinkles, and also contributes to skin cancer). If you want protection against UV-A, be sure that your sunscreen includes avobenzone (Parsol-1789), Mexoryl®, titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide.

2. Some sunscreens last longer than others. UV light causes some sun screening agents to break down and lose their sun screening ability. Mexoryl®, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide do not break down when exposed to UV light, and so keep on protecting you from UV throughout the day.
3. Some sun screening agents stay on the skin better than others, and this is important if you will be sweating heavily or swimming. In general, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide stay on the skin longer that most other sun screening agents. To reduce the chance that titanium or zinc based sunscreens will look pale or white on the skin, choose products containing “ultramicronized” titanium or zinc, which is so fine that it is transparent to visible light but still does a good job of absorbing and reflecting ultraviolet light.

4. Sunscreens are available as creams, gels, and sprays. Creams are best for use on smooth skin, and some creams are prepared using water-resistant formulas so that the product will stay on the skin longer if you are sweating or enjoying water sports. Gels and sprays are preferred by some people, and in particular can be easier to apply than creams on hairy areas and on the scalp.

When choosing sunscreens for yourself, your family and your workers it is important to consider the cosmetic acceptability of the sunscreen, because if someone does not LIKE the sunscreen they will not use it. Thus, a nice sunscreen with an SPF of 30 which you are happy to apply daily will give you more actual sun protection than a higher SPF product which is too greasy or too white for your taste so is not used on a regular basis.

If you get into the habit of applying a sunscreen (or a sunscreen-containing prescription product like Retisol-A 0.01% cream) every morning, you can really slow the clock down, and even reverse some of the sun damage you have accumulated over the years.

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About the author: By Kevin C. Smith MD FACP FRCPC
Dr. Kevin Smith is a dermatologist in Niagara Falls, Ontario with a particular interest in protecting the skin and in correcting skin problems resulting from aging, rosacea and sun damage. He is an expert in the use of Botox®, fillers, lasers and intense pulsed light to maintain and enhance the appearance of the skin, and have lectured on those subjects across North America, and in Europe, Asia and Mexico. Read more at www.smithlaser.com

Hormonal Treatment of Acne

Hormonal treatments, including oral contraceptives, have long been recognized by dermatologists to be an effective treatment option for women who have acne, no matter how severe.

Acne is thought to be initiated by the effect of masculinising hormones called “androgens” on oil glands that, during puberty, enlarge and become increasingly sensitive. This results in excessive oil secretion and blockage of pores, which leads to the initial non-inflamed spots of acne (whiteheads and blackheads). As the acne bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) proliferate, the oil-rich environment in the pores leads to inflammation which becomes visibly apparent as red pimples, pustules and lumps.

Hormonal therapy for acne is, therefore, meant to interrupt this initial phase of this cascading sequence of acne development. Such preparations include oral contraceptives such as Diane-35®, Tri-Cyclen®, Alesse®, and Yasmin®; and a non-contraceptive anti-androgen, spironolactone.

Androgens that play a part in causing acne include 5-dihydrodrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S). The production of these androgens from ovaries and adrenal glands is mediated by gonadotrophins. Levels of testosterone are inversely related to levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), so that if T increases, SHBG decreases and when T is reduced, SHBG increases.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition found in women who have very high androgen and testosterone levels. Symptoms include obesity, infertility, scalp hair loss, increased facial and body hair, irregular periods, acne and elevated blood insulin levels. This condition affects 5-10% of women in their reproductive years. Clinical evaluation and blood testing can be performed to diagnose this disorder. In addition to exercise and weight control, hormonal therapy is often helpful in this condition.
Oral Contraceptives (OCs)

OCs, which contain estrogen and progestins, directly affect how much androgen your body produces and can therefore impact acne. Possible ways that estrogens may be working to improve acne include:

* Decreased production of adrenal (DHEA-S) and ovarian androgens (A, T);
* Inhibition of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which leads to a reduction of DHT levels;
* SHBG increase, which reduces levels of T.

Progestins vary in their androgenic or testosterone-like activity and may, therefore, have variable effects on acne. Progestins with the lowest androgenic activity are more appropriate in the treatment of acne and other disoders caused by increased androgen levels (desogestrel, norgestimate). Alternatively, cyproterone acetate – an antiandrogenic progesterone derivative - may be combined with the estrogen component.

Currently available OCs such as Diane-35®, Tri-Cyclen®, Alesse®, and Yasmin® contain progestins with minimal androgenic or anti-androgenic activity, providing an important therapeutic option for women with acne. Their proven effectiveness and long-term safety profile supports their use in various grades of acne in females:

* as additional therapy with topical agents for women who have mild, non-scarring acne and who desire oral contraception;
* as primary therapy in moderate, non-scarring acne in combination with topical therapy and systemic antibiotics;
* in scarring and severe inflammatory acne as one of two preferred methods of contraception in patients treated with systemic isotretinoin.

Clinical studies in acne patients treated with Tricyclen and Alesse show that acne spots were reduced by 40-50% over a course of 6 months. The extent of improvement may be greater with Diane-35 as patients in a Canadian acne survey generally considered Diane-35â to be more effective for treating acne than Tricyclenâ. Side effects common to all oral contraceptive preparations included breast tenderness, headache, and nausea. These were typically mild and tended to resolve by the second cycle. A newly approved oral contraceptive in Canada, Yasminâ, has been shown to be as effective as Diane-35â for treating acne.
Spironolactone

Spironolactone, a synthetic steroid, is an anti-androgen that binds to the body’s androgen receptors, thus blocking the androgens from binding to the cell receptors, inhibits 5-alpha-reductase enzyme activity and reduces androgen biosynthesis. Small studies using this agent for treating acne have been shown to be effective with few side effects, but larger studies are needed for confirmation.

About the author:
Dr. Jerry K. L. Tan, MD, FRCPC: Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, Windsor, Canada. Director, Acne Research and Treatment Centre, Windsor, Canada. Area of specialty: acne and rosacea.

Natural Acne Scar Treatments

Hormonal changes and overly active sebaceous (oil) glands that commonly occur in adolescence usually cause acne, however acne can still affect adults as well. Zits, pimples, acne, cystic skin eruptions, blackheads and white heads all fit into the acne skin malady category. The temptation to squeeze the spots and remove the infected matter, albeit tempting, will not reform your skin to its natural radiance. In fact, secondary infection by bacteria being pushed back into the deeper layers of the skin can cause more pain, inflammation and most likely future scaring. Once the bacteria have been released, it can re-infect the surrounding skin. The facial scars are actually remnants of the bacterial infection caused by ‘procedure.’

The unfair fact is that adult acne will affect 25 percent of men and 50 percent of women in their adult lives. We know that identifying hormonal changes as the main cause of adult acne aren’t entirely proven. There isn’t just one cause. Acne in adult women can be linked to cosmetic use, some hair products and can frequently be brought on by the hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy. Certain types of prescription medications can also cause adult acne. Some strains of acne, such as Acne vulgaris, don’t typically show up in adults until midlife. Adult acne also forms differently, whereas adolescent acne begins on the forehead and cheek area, adult acne tends to show more on the chin, jaw line and neck.

With all this new adult acne erupting (pardon the pun) more than before, natural acne and scar treatments are gaining more acceptance as consumers want to make healthier more sustainable choices for their skincare. Your skin has an amazing natural ability to regenerate itself and a new layer of skin growth will generally cover any scarring, but in the rare cases where this does not occur then a more advanced scar treatment is in order. Always consult with your doctor or dermatologist before beginning any facial treatments to be sure you are not causing further damage.

A healthy, well-balanced diet plays a large role in helping your body and skin to regenerate itself to its optimal condition. Many dermatologists recommend a diet high in natural minerals. These minerals are to maintain the health of the skin cells, which in turn should prevent a further outbreak of acne and repair damaged tissue. Diets, which include plenty of green vegetables, un-cooked vegetables such as carrots, spinach and cucumbers, have also helped many to maintain smooth, blemish-free skin. The idea is to try to create a new fresh layer of skin so that the scars reduced or eradicated.

Are you drinking enough water?

By consuming a regular amount of water daily, you can improve the look of your skin. The average human body is comprised of 60 percent water. Drinking more water, instead of sugar-laden sodas or energy drinks will keep the skin moist and smooth; it will also clear away the dead skin cells, flush toxins and aid in the regeneration of new skin cells. Mixing water with natural ingredients like citrus, fruit or vegetable juices, can also be helpful to exfoliate the skin.

With a proper nutritious diet, vitamins and plenty of water, most see results within a few months. It can take up to a year for acne scars to heal completely. Acne scars do not show up overnight and removing them can take the same amount of time if not more. It takes patience, but with the proper motivation for beautiful, glowing skin, it will be well worth the wait. Of course, some scars may be so deep as to require dermalogical treatments such as lasers or painful acid peels. Try the natural methods first, as theses procedures can be quite costly. Any effort you make to regenerate your skin naturally will only help the dermatologist’s treatments even further.

Always remember to gently cleanse and moisturize your skin everyday as well. Applying harsh, drying chemicals to your acne will usually cause further inflammation and breakouts. One natural treatment that had shown good results is to mix pure sandalwood oil with rose water, apply it to your scar(s) and leave on the skin overnight. Cleanse face as usual in the morning.

Laser Treatments for Acne

Your skin has an amazing natural ability to regenerate itself and with proper nutrition and a regular cleansing routine, a new layer of skin growth will generally cover any scarring. But in the rare cases where this regeneration does not occur, then a more advanced scar treatment is in order. Always consult with your doctor or dermatologist before beginning any facial treatments to be sure you are not causing further damage.

Historically, adolescents have always faced the majority of acne eruptions and the scaring that they can produce. Hormonal changes present during the adolescent stage, stimulates the oil glands to produce more sebum (oil produced by the adrenal glands to keep our skin moist) which then gets trapped in the pores. With the added presence of bacteria it creates the familiar swelling known as blackhead, whitehead or pimple. For most cases, the acne disappears with age. For others, it is an ongoing painful and sometimes embarrassing battle.

Those of us who have ever experienced a bad case of acne know how it can demolish one’s self-esteem. If you had a particularly bad case then chances are you have scarring, including hard elevated areas on the skin’s surface or pits of different depths.

One of the latest techniques to help people recover from the scarring is acne laser treatments. When over the counter treatments aren’t working, laser scar removal can be a wonderful alternative to return one’s confidence to face the world afresh.

How Does It Work?

One of the recent FDA approved laser system s called “Aura” targets an organic compound produced by the acne bacteria called Porphyrin. This is done by delivering laser light impulses through the infected skin’s surface. These Porphyrins generate oxygen when targeted by the light pulses; this kills the acne bacteria causing the infection.

The number of treatments needed will vary depending on the severity of the infection but it usually starts with a twice a week session for two weeks. Future sessions will then be determined by your physician depending on the outcome of the initial treatment.

Most patients will see noticeable results after two weeks of treatment and rarely will undergo another session. Again, some may need repeated treatments depending on the amount of scaring. A recent clinical study showed the patient’s acne was 81 percent less severe following the laser treatments.

Laser acne treatment usually starts out with a review of your medical history and any medication that you are currently taking (this is important to determine if it is safe for you to undergo the treatment without reactions). The scarred area will then be cleansed and a topical gel will be applied. The physician will then glide the laser hand piece over the areas needing treatment. Depending on the size of the area that needs attention, each session could take up to 20 minutes.

Are Laser Treatments Painful?

Most patients say they feel no more than a sensation like a rubber band snapping against your skin. Again, the reaction can be a bit more uncomfortable for severe conditions. A topical anesthetic may be used to make the patient more comfortable. A slight swelling and redness on the treated areas will be noticeable after every session but will eventually fade after a few days.

Costs associated with the procedure will vary depending on the physician or treatment centers that are offering the service. However, the costs are usually outweighed by the benefits of undergoing a laser treatment. It provides a quick and noticeable result in as little as two weeks. If you follow your doctor’s advice in preventing future infections, you should not see any reason for you undergoing another treatment.

Chemical Peels 101

With so many beauty products, facial treatments and surgical procedures available these days, it can be overwhelming to choose a treatment that is right for you. First off, when trying any new skincare treatment or procedure, it is always important to do your research, seek out reputable sources and never be afraid to ask questions, after all, it is your face – you only have one, so treat it accordingly. Selecting the right specialist or understanding details of a surgical procedure will be time consuming, be prepared to put in the time necessary to make the best choice. Below are some tips to help you get started.

Choose carefully. The Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery recommends you:
•    Check educational, training, background credentials and experience to ensure that he or she is well-qualified
•    Ask how many times they have performed this procedure
•    Ask to see before and after photos of patients who have had chemical peels - in some cases offices will give you contact information of previous patients as referrals.

Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, licensed estheticians and registered nurses can all perform chemical peels. However, depending on the type of peel, you might need to see a doctor. Ensure your procedure is both safe and effective.

Schedule a skin consultation. A chemical peel is an aggressive treatment, it’s important that you get an in-depth analysis of your skin beforehand. When at the consultation, make sure the specialist knows your medical history and any prescriptions you may be taking. Be prepared to ask questions, such as what is my skin type? What are my skin concerns? How can chemical peels improve my skin? What kind of peel is best for my skin type?

Become a peel expert. There are three types of chemical peels: superficial, medium and deep. In addition, they increase substantially in cost depending on the peel. The cost ranges from $150 to $300 for superficial peels; $1,000 to $2,000 for medium peels and $2,500 up to $5,000 for deep peels, according to Smart SkinCare:
Superficial: The mildest of chemical peels, superficial peels treat fine lines, discoloration, dryness, roughness and mild acne. Results are subtle and you will need regular maintenance sessions. Estheticians typically perform superficial peels. Common solutions: Alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs (e.g., glycolic acid, lactic acid), salicylic acid

Medium: These peels penetrate deeper into the skin, producing a second-degree burn. Medium peels treat wrinkles, pigmentation problems, sun damage and blemishes. You will need at least a week to recover. You’ll also need several peels to achieve desired results. Common solution: Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
Deep: These peels target deep wrinkles, dramatic discoloration and skin lesions. Deep peels are the most effective, providing pronounced and long-lasting results. However, they are also riskier with longer recovery time—most people take two weeks off from work. A certified, experienced plastic surgeon must perform these peels. This peel is performed once. Common solution: Phenol

Consider your skin type. Be aware that a chemical peel is not always the best option for your skin type. These are several examples when a chemical peel isn’t appropriate or can be helpful. In most cases, a chemical peel should not be used on dry or sensitive skin. A peel might cause dryness, flakiness, itching and further inflammation. If you have inflammatory acne and deep cysts, you should also consult a dermatologist, as a chemical peel might not be the best treatment for those conditions.

Chemical peels are a good choice if you experience mild to moderate acne or acne scars: The acids in the peel work to both kill active blemishes on the surface and to prevent new blemishes from forming. By accelerating the exfoliation process, a chemical peel delivers clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Become an expert on your chemical peel. Before having the chemical peel, make sure you ask every question possible to ensure you are aware of the entire procedure and its potential complications.
Examples like; what strength is the peel? How many sessions will I need? What are the pros and cons? What kind of discomfort, pain and other reactions can I expect during the procedure? How should my skin react after the chemical peel?

Communication is key in making your chemical peel a safe experience. Clarify you are experiencing normal reactions or seek immediate attention if you think you are not. Remember if something doesn’t feel right, only you can speak up about it.

About two to four weeks prior to your chemical peel, the specialist will ask you to incorporate pre-care products into your daily regimen. These products are designed to thin out the skin’s surface, allowing the peel to penetrate deeper and evenly. Your medical expert might prescribe Retin-A, an AHA product or hydroquinone cream.
When using these new products, you might have to discontinue your old ones. Your specialist will give you specific information about what products to use and avoid.

Depending on the type of peel, your results might be subtle or dramatic. Every skin type reacts a bit differently. Be realistic about the results and fully understand to what degree the peel will improve your skin and whether you will need additional sessions to maintain results.

Skin Care for Adult Acne

Suffering from adult acne can be a devastating blow to your self-esteem. You may wonder what your co-workers, friends, and even family are thinking about you. You may stay home alone on Friday nights, afraid to go out and meet that special someone. You may worry your employer just gave that big promotion to your colleague instead of you due to the look of your bad skin.

The good news is you live in a time with more treatment options than ever and there is no reason for you to suffer. Many great adult acne treatments are on the market today. Many are affordable and easy to get .Treatments that will not irritate your skin, but will provide results abound. Below are a few tips to make finding them easier.

Look for the Guarantee

The majority of respectable skin care manufacturers provide a decent guarantee on their products. Simply because these companies know that their products cannot solve every person’s acne problems (even though they put their best foot forward to do so). Any reputable company should stand behind their skin care cream, gel or remedy with a money back guarantee if you don’t get the results you expect.

I’d suggest you avoid anything that doesn’t have at least a 30 day guarantee (the minimum time to see if a product works). You should be able to find information about a products guarantee on the side of the packaging, or on the company’s website.

Check Ingredients for Harsh Chemicals

Before choosing an acne product, familiarize yourself with the ingredients. Not all companies - but some - use harsh chemicals to kill acne bacteria. The down side to this is these chemicals can also negatively affect your skin.

The most popular ingredient to remedy acne is Benzoyl peroxide, yet this is also one of the ingredients that can irritate your skin. If you do use a product containing Benzoyl peroxide, start with a very small dose and work your way up to the suggested amount.

If you want to avoid Benzoyl peroxide all together consider using straight Hydrogen peroxide from your bathroom cabinet (the same thing we use on cuts and scape’s). This product should be easier on your skin as well as affordable.

Use it long enough to see results

There are hundreds of various adult skin care products for acne on the market today. Most of these products require at least a month of steady usage to get results. Be sure that you are giving whatever product you choose at least 4-6 weeks before you discontinue use. If you stop using a product sooner than this then you could risk wasting time and money on a product that otherwise would’ve cleared your skin.

Acne and Natural Home Remedies

Natural skincare remedies can be a great and economical way to cure your acne. If you ever woke to find a huge spot on your face, you know how embarrassing it could be to talk out the door and start your day right. Breakouts and acne are no picnic. They can can damage your self-esteem and affect your relationships with friends and family who may not suffer from breakouts at all.

Of course, there are thousands of products on the market today to cure or prevent acne. But if you are on a budget, the skincare treatments below my help for pennies of what other store-brand products may cost. Begin by cleansing your face to rid any oil or dirt before you apply the remedy listed below.

Oranges and Lemons
Oranges and lemons can be very effective in treating acne. Simply squeeze an orange or lemon juice onto a cotton pad or a small towel, and then dab it onto the acne infected areas. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. This acid in the citrus juice will minimize your pimples and take the redness away after a couple of days.

Raw potato
Simply slice a raw potato and rub it on your acne areas. The vitamins in the raw potato help rid redness and improve your complexion. The potato properties actually break down the bacteria causing acne.

Some natural anti-acne products you will find in the market are Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, Zinc, and Vitamin A and have been used with some success to cure acne. A word of caution about ‘natural’ skin care items. They often contain certain chemicals for preservation purposes. Some of these may not be advisable for you if you’re pregnant or have certain special health considerations. As mentioned, it is best to consult with your doctor before embarking on any therapy.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree from Australia. It is very effective against acne as it contains bacteria-fighting substances called Terpenes. Acne is often caused by bacteria and the Terpenes either outright kill them or weaken them enough to be destroyed by protective antibodies. There are very little side effects from using Tea Tree Oil.

Aloe Vera
The watery gel from Aloe Vera plant is also a highly effective natural cure against acne. The enzyme-rich gel has very soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It can also be taken internally and helps clean up and detox the digestive tract. This in turn can help clear up the skin.

Zinc
Zinc is taken in the form of capsules. It helps to strengthen the human immune system and to repair the skin.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A tablets are also a natural and effective acne cure. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E also helps in countering acne. It is a natural antioxidant and beneficial for the skin. Vitamin E comes in soft gelatin capsules that contain Vitamin E, Soybean Oil, Glycerin, and Water.

Some Natural Homemade Cures to counter Acne
The most important thing to do if you suffer from acne is to drink at least four pints of water every day. Drinking water is very beneficial to your skin. Don’t forget to include fresh fruit and leafy green vegetables in your daily diet to bring about a marked improvement in the quality of your complexion.

Before bathing, apply a mixture of pure tomato pulp – fresh from the tomato– honey and rose-water to your face and keep for twenty minutes before washing off.

At night, before going to bed, apply a mix of cream, glycerine, and lemon juice to your face and again keep it on for a short while before washing.

Regular Yoga exercises will also improve skin and overall health.

Things to Avoid
Avoid touching your face all the time, keep your hair away from your face, and avoid picking at pimples.

If you are prone to acne try to avoid using heavy make-up –it is preferable to avoid make-up altogether until your skin can heal itself.

Proactive Acne Treatment

Despite the thousands of products available for acne treatment today, the most proactive thing you can do is take good care of your skin – first.

Acne control is a goal for every adolescent or adult that has suffered from the ravages of this unsightly, stressful and physically painful condition. When the first signs of acne appear, take action to fight the malady right from the beginning. Early and proactive treatment stands a better chance of being successful. Often, early action means the difference between scarring and additional mental distress and a successful alleviation of the acne symptoms with no sign of scarring.

Understand the cause

Successful acne control is a matter of working with known causes of the condition and changing the dynamics to reduce the negative impact of the acne. Beginning the process early is more likely to be successful in reducing the breakouts. For example, it is now known that acne symptoms appear when there is a malfunction of the oil-producing glands at the base of the hair follicles. The cause is probably related to hormonal production, so treatment that begins early can focus on these two aspects. Hormone treatment takes time to work so early treatment is better than delaying.

Reduce physical scarring

Extensive scarring can be the result of acne pimples or inflammation coupled with the high chance of infection from the break in the skin surface. Obviously, acne control that actively fights the conditions that lead to physical scarring has a better chance of preventing such scars. The successful key is early intervention, before there is time to build up pockets of infection under the skin. Since it is now known that acne is not the result of unclean skin, depending upon cleansing for prevention of scarring may not be enough.

Prevent emotional turmoil

The impact of disfiguring and painful outbreaks of acne symptoms on the precarious emotional outlook of an adolescent is easy to remember even if you are long out of your teens. There can be almost irreparable damage done to the self esteem of the teenager. Early and emphatic acne control recognizes that dealing with the symptoms early provides less opportunity for the negative personal view to take hold in the mind of the individual with acne. Being told simply that he or she will outgrow acne symptoms does not solve the immediate drain on confidence.

Reduce the outbreaks

Early and active treatment of the acne symptoms is more likely to be successful in reducing the permanent impact of the condition. Acne control consists of treating the physical and emotional symptoms effectively so that they do not continue. This can consist of basic maintenance; getting proper rest, drinking lots of water, eating healthy clean food and cleansing your face each night and morning.

Stubborn Acne Problems

For many people, nothing is more embarrassing or difficult to deal with than acne. Even adults can suffer from acne are search for a way clear their skin quickly and effectively. When you are suffering, there are many things you can do to eliminate acne immediately and effectively.

The most important and simple thing that you can to do is keep your skin clean as possible. Acne is typically caused by clogged pores from excess oils and bacteria. These clogs cause the skin to become swollen and red. A few varieties of acne are due to clogged pores; blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Keeping the skin free from dirt and excess oils is one way that you can make sure that your pores don’t become clogged.
Scientific discoveries to understand and cure acne are occurring every day. These results may be able to help eradicate the type of acne you have in the future for good. For now, know what products are available and make the best-educated choice about your most valuable asset – your skin. Some who have a very stubborn type of acne will not respond to the usual products sold over the counter. Several will also not respond to their prescription medications.

Previously, most considered sulphur preparations the best of acne treatments. They caused short-term abrasion of the skin and acted as disinfectants, too. However, research eventually revealed that acne treated with sulphur-based preparations returned with increased severity. The search for the best acne treatments continued. The most commonly used acne-control agents today contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Both work by removing the obstructions that cause acne, but also seem to be of no long-term benefit unless used in conjunction with other preparations. Under the right conditions, the application of a compound containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or glycolic acid will generally obtain good results.

Most dermatologists will advise preventive measures at the first signs of serious acne infestations, and maintaining these at every stage of treatment to prevent reoccurrence. Such measures include scrupulous skin and internal hygiene and elimination of certain foods. The correlation between foodstuffs like milk products and fat-saturated items is yet to be scientifically established.

Regularly cleaning acne-beset skin with a good quality deep cleansing lotion can be nothing but beneficial. It will make even the best acne treatments more effective. However, contrary to popular belief, astringents do more harm than good – though they do remove excessive superficial oils, they cause the very closing of pores that may have lead to the acne in the first place.

Home remedies for acne abound, but the term needs clear definition. An effective home remedy for anything can and should transcend messy poultices whipped up from exotic vegetables in the kitchen blender. There is no limit to inventiveness on this one – people have used potatoes, basil, garlic, vinegar, lemon/lime juice and even toothpaste. They claim various levels of success.

There are certain domestic therapies that have proved very effective in controlling acne. Tea tree oil appears to be among nature’s best acne treatments. However, it must be borne in mind that tea tree oil causes the secretion of extra sebum, and washing the skin scrupulously after its use is important.

If you are searching for a way to eliminate acne, the key is to not give up - look for a product that is attacking the problem in another angle if the first one did not work. Your acne may not respond to all products, but try to find a different solution that will address the problem not only from the inside but also from the outside.

Natural Skin Care Therapy Tips for Acne

Acne is not a new problem; people have been suffering from it for many thousands of years. In ancient Egypt for instance, oils were often used to soften and smooth the skin. It is only in recent times that people have begun to use acne creams made of chemical ingredients like benzyl peroxide, among others. These can not only have unwanted side effects, like the drying of healthy skin or the bleaching of clothing, but can be very costly.

It’s no mystery that our grandmothers seemed to know best. When it comes to health and skin, the more natural the ingredient, the better. Of course, there are times when natural remedies may not be as effective and that is Ok. However, just be aware of the natural options you have first, before you waste a lot of money on another product that doesn’t work. Many people today discovering the old-world secrets in caring for their bodies more naturally, and are turning to natural and herbal remedies, such as the following simple ‘kitchen cures’.

Acne Remedy #1: Make a paste of nutmeg powder and milk, and apply to your face in a thin layer. Leave on for up to an hour, or even overnight.

Acne Remedy #2: Take an orange peel and leave it to dry, and then grind it to a powder. Mix with water and apply directly to the pimple.

Acne Remedy #3: Applying garlic directly to a pimple can also be a great remedy, as garlic is a natural disinfectant.

Acne Remedy #4: Mix a spoonful each of fresh lemon juice and cinnamon. Apply to the acne overnight for several nights in a row to be effective.

Acne Remedy #5: Take fresh leaves of fenugreek and grind to make an acne remedy that is also said to be effective in reducing wrinkles. It should be left on for only fifteen minutes.

Acne Remedy #6: Papaya juice, which is high in natural enzymes, makes a wonderful acne solution all on its own.

Acne Remedy #7: Boil a cup of milk, and then allow to cool to room temperature, and add a spoonful of limejuice to make a acne face wash.

Acne Remedy #8: Mix rosewater, cucumber juice and lime juice in equal amounts. Apply to clean face and leave on overnight.

Chemical skin care ingredients you should avoid if you are acne-prone or have oily skin in combination with acne:
• Butyl stearate
• Cinnamon Oil
• Isotearyl isostearate
• Cocoa butter
• Jojoba oil
• Coconut oil
• Decyl oleate
• Myristyl myristate
• Myristyl propionate
• Octyl palminate
• Octyl stearate
• Peppermint Oil
• Isopropyl stearate
• Isopropyl, isostearate, myristate or palmitate
Try several of these natural remedies and see which one is best for you, be aware that it can take several days to have an effect. Make sure you use clean spoons and dishes to mix your remedies, and remember to wash your face as usual in between treatments.