The Truth About Acne Skin Care


Let's face it, you are engaged in an ongoing battle when you are afflicted with acne. While acne treatments for a mild case of acne are usually successful, moderate acne is a greater problem. Even dermatologists cannot cure a severe case of acne but can only provide an acne treatment regimen.

However, you can support your acne treatment efforts with proper acne skin care in order to reduce the recurrence of acne flare-ups and not aggravate existing acne.

Knowing What You're Doing

One of the first pieces of advice is to make sure that you understand and follow the directions for any acne remedy that you are using. If you are taking a prescription acne medicine, read the patient leaflet that accompanies the medication carefully. Typically for moderate to severe acne a dermatologist may prescribe several acne medicines, each with its own treatment protocol and directions.

In order to achieve the acne free skin that you desire, it is important to use all the acne treatments properly and in the correct order. Consider bringing a tablet of paper, a pen, and a friend or relative with you to your appointment with your dermatologist. Simply jot down some notes about the order and time of day for applying each acne medicine and what its purpose is.

Remember, just because the acne clears with the use of your acne medicines doesn't necessarily mean that you have succeeded in curing acne. Most people with moderate to severe acne must continue to use their acne medicine long-term to prevent any recurrence of their acne problem. Using the acne treatments properly should translate to clear skin and freedom from acne scars.

What About Over-the-Counter Remedies?

Besides using medications prescribed by a doctor, there are a large number of products on the market labeled as skin cleansers, facial cleansers, pore cleansers, and facial pore cleaners that can be used in curing acne.

When cleansing skin that is afflicted with acne, an important point to remember is not to scrub the skin; never scrub your face with a washcloth. It is a misconception that acne is caused by dirt clogging the pores of the skin. You don't scrub away the offending dirt; you can't scrub away the offensive acne and achieve acne free skin.

Over-washing or scrubbing skin afflicted with acne only serves to aggravate the condition. Rather use only a gentle skin cleanser, lukewarm water, and a gentle motion with your fingertips as your primary acne skin care regime. When you wash your face with your hands, be sure to first thoroughly wash your hands.

Do Natural Treatments Really Work?

Look for gentle cleansers that are sold as acne solutions. When you're evaluating skin cleansers for acne, include natural acne treatments in your search as well. For example, a soap made from Echinacea and other herbal ingredients is an effective antibiotic facial cleanser that helps fight acne and restore clear skin. Tea tree oil also has known antibiotic properties and serves as a mild anesthetic that will soothe the irritated skin.

Oily skin is implicated as a one of the causes of acne. It doesn't necessarily make sense to use a moisturizer on oily skin as a means of achieving clear skin. But many of the acne treatments, whether they are prescribed or available as over-the-counter products, have a tendency to irritate the skin while curing acne.

A moisturizer is a boost to irritated skin and keeps skin from becoming overly dry due to the acne treatments that have been applied. Look for a moisturizer with the following properties:

- oil-free
- won't clog pores (non-comodogenic)
- containing a sun-screen

Besides a great desire to just scrub away the acne, many people try to remove the acne pimples by hand as a way to get clear skin. People who are afflicted with acne should avoid touching their face except to gently wash it with mild cleanser as already discussed.

By trying to remove pimples by hand you run the risk of creating acne scars that will last for a lifetime. Instead, have patience and rely on your prescription or over-the-counter acne treatment to work. Acne remedies usually take 6 to 8 weeks before curing acne.

For male acne sufferers, the daily ritual of shaving can be a problem. One acne sufferer has recommended the Gillette Sensor Excel as a gentle and effective razor to use. Other males prefer to try an electric razor. The advice is to shave delicately to avoid nicking the skin and to shave only as often as necessary. Finding a moisturizing shave gel may be one way to enhance your acne skin care program.

Female acne sufferers have their unique problems too, in finding the right cosmetic products to use. Females who are accustomed to using a foundation product may find that the foundation is difficult to apply smoothly if the facial skin becomes irritated due to the acne treatments being applied.

You may have to abandon the use of some cosmetics during the acne treatment period. Be sure to select only oil-free cosmetics and ones that are labeled as non-comodogenic (won't clog pores) to use on your road to clear skin.

Proper acne skin care is a necessary addition to your arsenal for fighting your battle with acne and achieving clear skin once again.

About the Author:

John Lenaghan offers information and advice about acne control, natural acne treatment and other acne-related topics at the Acne Squad website. Visit AcneSquad.com for more information about dealing with acne.





Latest Acne News:



Site: acne - Yahoo! News Search Results
New study could bring relief to acne patients
A breakthrough could be on the way for acne patients, yet experts at the North Carolina Research Campus are enrolling participants in a new study, using genetics to help find safer ways to treat acne. With the help of 250 participants, a M.U.R.D.O.C.K. study conducted by Duke University experts, could lead to new, safer ways to treat severe acne. Overweight linked to acne in teen girls
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Overweight girls in their late teens were twice as likely as their normal-weight peers to report having a lot of acne in a large new survey of Norwegian teenagers that did not find the same link in boys. Some 3,600 young people in Oslo, aged 18 and 19, provided information on their pimples, weight, diet and other health and lifestyle factors. Only about a tenth of the ... Really? The Claim: Excess Weight Raises the Risk of Acne
Researchers have found, once again, that weight gain and moderate to severe acne go hand in hand, particularly among young women. Acne Control Mask from End-ZitŪ - Fight Acne with a High Concentration of Sulfur; End-ZitŪ, The Zit Stops Here!Ū
ABBE Laboratories best-selling END-ZITŪ Acne Control Mask is now available in a convenient 2.5oz. squeezable tube. Use as a spot treatment or apply to the entire face, back or any problem area. Visit [http://www.endzit.com __title__ Fight Acne Today] and see for yourself.Farmingdale, NY (PRWEB) January 31, 2012 ABBE Laboratories best-selling END-ZITŪ Acne Control Mask is now available in a ... Diet does matter when in comes to acne
Recent studies suggest dairy products and high glycemic foods can worsen acne, while omega-3 fats may alleviate it Overweight girls more prone to acne
Overweight girls may be more likely than other young people to develop acne THE QUESTION Acne has no definitive cause but an array of suspects, including hormones, heredity, stress, chocolate, makeup and more. Should being overweight be added to the list? Read full article >> Best Acne Treatment Limited Announces A New Site On The Best Acne Treatment
This is a new site on acne infection that provides information on acne and the best ways to treat and prevent acne infection. (PRWeb February 02, 2012) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9145226.htm To fight acne, trim back carbs, omega-6 fatty acids
If you struggle with acne, eating foods with a low glycemic index may help regulate your blood glucose, which researchers say can decrease the production of oil and lower hormone levels that can contribute to acne. Overweight Teen Girls May Have Higher Acne Risk
Title: Overweight Teen Girls May Have Higher Acne Risk Category: Health News Created: 1/16/2012 6:06:00 PM Last Editorial Review: 1/17/2012 NZ-developed acne drug approved for sale in US by FDA
A NZ developed medication for acne has been approved for sale in America.

Site: Acne - Google News
Tips for acne-free skin - Times of India

Tips for acne-free skin
Times of India
One should always keep his/her skin clean and clear as pimples and acne occur when the pores in your skin get clogged up with oil and dirt. Bacteria infects that pore, leading to acne. Always try to avoid touching the face with your hands.

Dialogue Between A Teenager And The Acne - LA Canyon News

Dialogue Between A Teenager And The Acne
LA Canyon News
A dialogue between a teenager and acne, based off of Benjamin Franklin's "Dialogue Between Franklin and the Gout." Teenager: Eh! Oh! Eh! Why, a complexion so vile, do I wear upon my features for the whole world to see? Especially mine one and only Prom ...

Acne Control Mask from End-ZitŪ - Fight Acne with a High Concentration of ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)

Acne Control Mask from End-ZitŪ - Fight Acne with a High Concentration of ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
ABBE Laboratories best-selling END-ZITŪ Acne Control Mask is now available in a convenient 2.5oz. squeezable tube. Use as a spot treatment or apply to the entire face, back or any problem area. Visit [www.endzit.com __title__ Fight Acne Today] and see ...

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Watch out for acne 'cure' scams - WDIV Detroit

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WDIV Detroit
The Federal Trade Commissions has been cracking down on companies which have made baseless claims about curing acne. "I don't know if they're faking it or they are putting makeup on it or something, but it makes it look worse," said 16-year-old John ...

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Best Acne Treatment Limited Announces A New Site On The Best Acne Treatment - PR Web (press release)

Best Acne Treatment Limited Announces A New Site On The Best Acne Treatment
PR Web (press release)
This is a new site on acne infection that provides information on acne and the best ways to treat and prevent acne infection. Acne scars are difficult to contend with. The recent laser treatment reduces acne scars with immediate effect.

Four Questions Assess Acne Patient Quality of Life - Skin and Allergy News Digital Network

Skin and Allergy News Digital Network

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ORLANDO ? A four-question survey can provide as much information about the psychosocial impact of acne treatment on patients as do longer, more cumbersome surveys. Dr. Peter Saitta and colleagues developed the Acne-Q 4 survey and reported that it ...

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Overweight girls more prone to acne - Washington Post

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Washington Post
Overweight girls may be more likely than other young people to develop acne THE QUESTION Acne has no definitive cause but an array of suspects, including hormones, heredity, stress, chocolate, makeup and more. Should being overweight be added to the ...

The Science Of How Dairy Causes Acne - BlissTree

BlissTree

The Science Of How Dairy Causes Acne
BlissTree
But in the process, he raised another issue about what milk does to your skin: according to him, dairy causes acne, too. But many commenters were up in arms about the connection between milk and skin?you wanted the science, not just the anecdotal ...

Overweight linked to acne in teen girls - Chicago Tribune

Overweight linked to acne in teen girls
Chicago Tribune
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Overweight girls in their late teens were twice as likely as their normal-weight peers to report having a lot of acne in a large new survey of Norwegian teenagers that did not find the same link in boys.

and more »
Acne risk higher for overweight teen girls - ModernMedicine

Stuff.co.nz

Acne risk higher for overweight teen girls
ModernMedicine
Oslo, Norway ? Teenage girls who are obese or overweight are significantly more likely to develop acne than their normal-weight peers, a new Norwegian survey suggests. A research team led by Jon Anders Halvorsen, MD, of the department of dermatology ...
Obesity and acne: Overweight teen girls twice as likely to develop skin conditionToronto Star
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Overweight girls more prone to acneStuff.co.nz

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