The most common home treatment for acne is twice daily application of a benzoyl peroxide solution such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot. This works by killing bacteria, drying up the oil, and causing your skin to peel. It is effective for minor acne (whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples).
Prescription or over-the-counter antibiotics like Stri-dex or Oxywork kill the bacteria which, with oil, causes acne.

For an even more surefire acne treatment, your doctor may suggest chemical skin peeling, removal of scars by dermabrasion or laser, or removal or drainage of cysts.

Synthetic Vitamin A derivatives, or retinoids, are for severe acne, which take the form of redness, nodules and cysts. Retinoids include creams and gels such as Retin-A and isotretinoin pills - Accutane. Accutane is an effective acne treatment in that it works to reduce the size and production of oil glands in the skin. Its effects are unbeatable and last a long time - six months - which is why it is so expensive ($450 per bottle). Pregnant and sexually active women must avoid retinoids, because they cause severe birth defects.

Laser resurfacing is the newest way to remove acne and acne scar tissue, among other uses. It is showing itself to be a very effective means of clearing up acne permanently, and is quickly surpassing dermabrasion in popularity. It works by vaporizing unwanted tissue, clearing the way for new healthy skin cells to grow.

For many people the question of "what causes adult acne" has been a tireless quest in search of an answer to a problem that plagues many individuals worldwide. For instance 90 percent of all adolescents and almost 25 percent of all adults are acne sufferers. In terms of gender approximately 50% of all adult men and 50% of all adult women suffer or have suffered from some form of acne. One difference in gender is where the acne outbreak takes place and the severity of zits and blackheads that form. Males more often have the severe form of acne rather than females, due to their hormones. Generally the infected areas that tend to break out most frequently (the chest and back) are unfortunately more difficult to treat.

The real cause of acne can actually be a blend of several factors. Typically there are several steps that lead to zits, pimples, blackheads and minor skin blemishes. The main cause of acne is due to the blocking or clogging of hair follicles, more commonly know as pores. Unfortunately the reasons and combination of events that cause pores to become clogged isn't fully known. There are many contributing elements for teenagers and adults alike, which can include hereditary factors such as whether or not there is a history of acne problems and if so, to what extent, hormones, dietary and vitamin supplemental intake and stress related factors. Other forces or events that can strongly influence the development of acne and pimples include your body's normal function of eradicating itself of its dead skin cells. If this cycle gets out of whack or becomes irregular due to climate and other environmental forces or overall body health at the time it can cause your hormones and their effect on your own body's sebum production to increase which is bad for your complexion but outstanding for breeding acne.

When the body's function of shedding dead skin cells becomes irregular the normal dead skin cells that combine with your body's natural sebum oil as it drains through the skin's surface become clogged and cause blocked pores. This substance becomes somewhat sticky, further clogging the passageway. This allows the cultivating and incubating of bacteria, which begins to grow around these clogged areas. As a normal reaction your body's white blood cells attack the bacteria, fighting it and pushing it out of the body. The outcome of this battle between the white blood cells and bacteria leads to a growth usually within 14-day to 21-days. These growths are referred to as microcomedones. Microcomedones turn into comedones, which are more commonly referred to as blemishes, pimples or acne.

As you can see the formation of acne is based on a series of events, which starts with the blocking of pores. The outcome is usually an increase in production of microcomedones which results in the very noticeable skin blemish known throughout the world as zits, blackheads, acne or pimples.  

What causes acne?
Acne occurs when the hair follicle pores become blocked. The oil called sebum builds up inside the pore and becomes infected with bacteria. When the infection remains under the skin surface, it develops into a whitehead. When the infection partly reaches the surface and changes color, it develops into a blackhead.

Shouldn't I just try to eliminate sebum from my body?
No. When it isn't blocked in your pores, sebum helps keep your skin healthy.

Why does acne usually start at puberty?
No one knows for certain. What is known is that the sebaceous glands that produce sebum get much larger at puberty than they were before.

Why does the skin around a pimple turn red?
This redness is caused by the body's inflammatory response. Inflammation is a sign that your immune system is working to fight an infection. However, the inflammatory response doesn't always work perfectly, and can even be the cause of scarring.

If my skin turns red, does that mean that I'm going to have scars?
Usually, no. Even when there will be no permanent scar, the aftereffects of the inflammatory response can leave the skin red for months, sometimes for more than a year.

What are free radicals?
Free radicals are byproducts of oxidation in your body. We all need oxidation to occur as part of our life process, but there is concern that the buildup of unrecycled free radicals contributes to many conditions, including skin damage

What is acne? Acne is a term attributed to plugged pores, commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads, pimples, and even cysts or nodules, occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Follicles, often called pores, often get blocked with sebum (oil), which normally drains to the surface, and a bacteria propionibacterium acnes, begins to grow. Both whiteheads and blackheads start out as a "microcomedone" which then become skin blemishes called comedones. Acne can be upsetting, disfiguring, sometimes leading to permanent scarring.

There are different types of acne. A white head is a lesion where trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface. A blackhead, on the other hand, is a lesion where trapped sebum and bacteria partially open to the surface and turn black due to the skin pigment melanin.

A papule is a small solid lesion slightly elevated above the surface of the skin. A pustule, again, is a dome-shaped skin elevation containing pus: a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria. It often has a hair in the center. A macule is a temporary red spot left by a healed acne lesion. It is flat and pinkish, with well-defined borders that can persist for days to weeks. A number of macules can contribute to the "inflamed face" appearance of acne. A nodule is a solid dome-shaped or irregularly shaped lesion, characterized by pain, inflammation and extending into deeper layers of the skin. It may cause tissue destruction resulting in scarring.

A cyst is a sac-like lesion containing white blood cells, dead cells, and bacteria. It may be severely inflamed and painful, extending into deeper layers of the skin and can result in scarring.

Who gets acne? Acne affects teenagers mostly; however it can occur in adults of all age groups also. Acne starts between the ages of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. It normally goes away on its own in the early twenties but can stretch into the late twenties or thirties or even beyond. Some people get acne for the first time as adults.

The treatment of acne is not difficult at all. Following a clear regimen helps considerably. Gentle cleansing plus plenty of 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide gives a clear skin as Benzoyl peroxide kills the acne bacteria well. A little itchiness after an application is quite normal, and some people also experience redness of the skin for the initial couple of weeks. However, this will definitely get better because it will cure the acne and prevent any new outbreaks.

About the Author
Lana Hampton is the webmaster of www.theacnecenter.com. Visit her site today for the latest acne information, treatments and product reviews.

Have you ever had acne? Chances are that you have had or are still having acne. Teens are primarily the ones cursed with at least with a mild form of acne. But what is acne? Acne, also known as acne vulgaris, occurs when oil and dead skin cells form a plug and clog your follicles or pores.


Eighty-five percent of teenagers have had at least a mild form of acne. During puberty increased hormone levels cause an increase in oil production. This increased oil can then combine with dead skin cells and cause acne. Acne does not discriminate though as some adults, especially women, have intermittent acne all their lives.

What is acne symptoms going to look like to most people? You will most likely notice an outbreak of whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. These can occur on your face, back, shoulders, or chest. Whiteheads and blackheads are clogged pores, while pimples have a bacteria build-up under the clogged pores. Large and deep pimples are called cystic lesions and can be quite painful and create scarring.

What is acne treatments going to consist of? Acne treatments depend upon the severity of the acne. The goal is to reduce or eliminate acne outbreaks and reduce any scarring that may occur with an acne outbreak. The first method of treatment to begin with is cleansing with a mild soap and warm water and using benzoyl peroxide. This often controls and prevents mild acne.

If this does not reduce or eliminate the acne outbreaks, you will need to consult a physician to try more aggressive treatments. The physician may prescribe antibiotics combined with topical benzoyl peroxide. This increases the effectiveness of your treatment. If there is still no improvement and the acne is severe, the physician may recommend Accutane as a last resort. Accutane has rare but serious side effects and is very expensive. A new treatment available is Light Wave Therapy. This treatment was recently approved by the FDA and is helpful in reducing and eliminating mild to moderate acne that has not been responsive to other treatments.

What is acne reducing things that you can do to help reduced your symptoms or outbreaks? Things you can do to help reduce your acne symptoms are cleansing your face twice daily using a mild soap and warm water. Use your clean, bare hands to wash your face rather than a washcloth. Vigorous rubbing of your skin will only make your acne worse. Follow your Doctor's directions fully. This will help to ensure that your acne is reduced or eliminated.

What is acne? Acne is a condition that can cause moderate to severe embarrassment and self-esteem problems, as well as depression. If your acne is not responding to treatment then seek out a treatment that works for you or your skin.

Mike Spencer is committed to helping people promote and protect their health. Here Mike talks about some useful tips and techniques to combat acne. Read more about Mike's Acne Prevention Tips here http://www.best-acne-treatment-solutions.com/whatisacne.html

Most acne products do nothing more than waste money.
Imagine spending hundreds of dollars on creams and
lotions only to find out they didn't really work or
only gave you temporary relief.

Acne remains a serious problem for a lot of teenagers
and even for some adults. Acne destroys confidence,
leaving a person depressed and even suicidal. However,
hope remains for many of it's desperate sufferers.

Acne, like most other skin problems, exists only as a
message that something inside the body isn't
functioning properly. This means acne isn't really
the problem you have to attack. The problem lies
elsewhere inside the body which produces
symptoms such as acne, blackheads and whiteheads.

To make this idea easy to understand, take for example
back pain. Lower back pain shows up as one of the many
symptoms of an imbalance of vitamin C. When someone
feels this back pain, their first thought may be to
use pain killers. That may bring some relief but will
never cure the back pain the same way acne creams can
never cure acne.

The point being that most people don't treat the real
cause of the acne outbreak and will never experience
total relief from the problem.

Everyone with acne knows that when you stop using the
topical lotions, your acne just keeps coming back just
as bad as it did before you used the products but you
still use them because you feel there's no other way
and this means a lot of business for the companies that
make the lotions.

These products simply try to hide your acne rather than
cure it so you must continually rely on their product
for any relief. Other problems with most acne products
include creating new symptoms you must deal with such
as dry skin, itching and peeling.

The only way to cure acne effectively is to fix the
internal problem your body has. When you do this, you
may find not only your acne, but other problems you
have had in the past start to disappear.

When an acne sufferer overcomes their acne problem,
their confidence soars through the roof and they no
longer feel any of the negative emotions such as
anger, depression and frustration that once
tied in with the acne.

It also means alot more money in your pocket. It is
estimated that roughly $100 million is spent annually
in the US on over-the-counter acne treatments not to
mention the many millions more spent on prescription
based treatments and other alternative remedies.

Now that you know what acne really is, you can then
begin to look for the true cause and from there look
for a cure. The good news is that the cause of acne
has now been established.

The best way I can answer this question is by giving my own first hand account. Like many teenagers I developed acne during puberty. Between the ages of 16 and 17 it was at its all time worst. I had blemishes on my face, chest, shoulders, and lower back. During my early twenties the acne on my face subsided, but I was still very embarrassed to take my shirt off.

The first acne treatment I tried were some of the popular over the counter products: Clearasil and Neutrogena. After they failed I went to a dermatologist. She prescribed Differin and Tetracycline. Differin is a cream you put on your blemishes and Tetracycline is a pill that supposed to fight your acne internally.

Six months later neither helped and in fact I think they made my acne worse. Not to mention the awful side effects that came with Differin. It tried my skin out to the point where it constantly itched.

Sometime later I saw the Proactiv Solution infomercial on TV. At first, I was skeptical about ordering it. I had tried a couple of infomercial products in the past and was disappointed with the results, but I had tried everything else so I gave it a go.

Seven months later I was virtually acne free. Proactiv does work and it doesn't come with all those side effects associated with many prescription medications.

Acne's not a big issue health wise, but psychologically it can be devastating. At one point I became embarrassed to go out in public and as a result became antisocial. If your acne makes you feel self conscious, give Proactive a try. The self-confidence you get back easily pays for the cost many times over.

You can check out Proactiv Solution at 

About the author:

Kevin Emswiler is a freelance writer that has several articles published on and off the net. For more information on Proactiv Solution, visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/11/prwebxml176239.php 

Severe acne can be detrimental to the thin layers of skin
on your forehead and face. It can also cause extreme
irritation, resulting in open wounds, puss-filled pores,
and unsightly scarring.

This type of acne is quite different than mild or moderate
cases. Severe acne needs the immediate attention of a
qualified dermatologist and your family practitioner.
Severe or acute acne can be caused by both environmental
and genetic variables. Prevention and treatment are the
best ways to deal with such cases. Seldom does an extreme
acne sufferer's skin clear up naturally, but in most
instances, it actually worsens.

Usually a dermatologist will recommend a combination of
both topical cream and oral drugs. Several types available
include different antibiotics, benzyl peroxides, Tretinoin,
Adapalen and the strong, yet effective Azelaic Acid.
Antibiotics and this acid can work wonderfully, attacking
the source of inflammation-the bacteria lining the
follicle.

The other topical drug, Tretinoin, is simply a form of
vitamin A that stops the development of comedones, or
inflamed hair follicles. While it doesn't necessarily stop
the growth of bacteria, this is a more natural way of
unplugging clogged pores that cause inflammation and
lesions, thereby allowing the use of topical antibiotic
cream to work deeply within the skin.

Another drug that isn't so natural in it's approach are the
newer forms of Retinoid drugs. These drugs are quite
powerful in the way they work. Like Tretinoin, these drugs,
often Tazarotene or Adapalen, also help to fight off the
development of comedones or comedo lesions.

These drugs, although not available over the counter (OTC),
come in different forms. Similar to OTC drugs, these come
in a variety of solutions, gels, lotions and creams. Your
dermatologist will immediately know which type is right for
your skin and prescribe what she or he believes will most
effectively open pores and fight-off unwanted bacteria.

Dermatologist will routinely ask you which form of
medication you'd prefer. Creams are good for those with
extra sensitive skin, while gels and other solutions tend
to make the skin become more dry and irritated. He or she
may recommend one or the other based on gender and/or
whether you live in a hot and humid climate.

At first, your skin may look and feel worse with the use of
such strong medications. If the pain becomes unbearable or
if you develop a rash or extreme redness of any kind, be
sure to stop using the product and immediately talk to your
doctor and dermatologist.

Similarly to OTC treatments, it will take up to eight weeks
for you to actually notice improvements. But, once it
begins to clear, it will make a world of difference to how
your skin looks and feels.

What You Should Know About Acne

There are many different types of acne and with that come many theories, myths, and treatments. The exact cause of acne remains a mystery. Why some pores are affected by acne and others aren't, is not known. Each case of acne is as complex as the individual battling it and a treatment that works on one person's acne may not work on yours.

Acne obviously has physical effects but it can also have psychological effects, especially in teens. Most teenagers already feel awkward and different, add acne to the equation and they are identifiably different. Most teenagers with acne tend to have lower self esteem, than their peers with clear skin, and are not involved in as many activities.

Adult acne is on the rise and can also be very difficult to deal with. Due to the changes that our skin goes through as we mature, scarring is often worse in adults with acne than in teens with acne. Adults with acne are also less likely than teens to seek treatment for their acne, leaving them to suffer alone.

Whether you are an adult with acne or a teenager with acne, your acne probably falls into one of a two main categories, inflammatory acne or non-inflammatory acne. If you have blackheads or whiteheads, or both, then you have non-inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne can be a little harder to identify. Inflammatory acne is characterized by papules, pustules, and in more serious cases, nodules or cysts.

Once you have determined which category your acne falls into, you can explore the treatment options for your acne. Keep in mind that even if you have tried several different acne treatments to no avail, there is always something else to try for your acne. There are new acne treatments coming up left and right and the next new acne treatment might be the one that goes directly to work attacking your acne and leaving you with the clear skin you've longed for. 

Amber Lowery is an online publisher and is responsible for maintaining a large network of health and beauty related sites. For more information on Acne, visit: http://www.acnehelp.info - the Acne Resource Portal. Comparisions of Acne treatments can be found here: http://www.acne-cure.us

Most acne medications only mask the symptoms of acne and does nothing to stop the real cause of acne. This is why people buy acne products month after month (year after year). And every time they stop using the product acne would come back again and again.

What you need to do is find out what the real cause of acne is and stop it.

So what's the real cause of acne?

Acne occurs when your body contains more toxics than your kidneys and bowels can remove. (Your kidneys and bowels are the two primary channels of elimination that your body expel toxics and waste products through.)
These toxics can be the accumulation of fat stored chemicals the liver can not wash out or there may be a problem with fat digestion, fat accumulation, food allergy, or even the accumulation of hormones that your body produces.

Once these toxics build up, your kidneys and bowels can get overloaded and clogged up, causing it to not function properly.

When that happens some of the load will be dumped onto your liver. One of your liver's main roles is to metabolize pile up fat into usable energy for your body.

This means, your liver will be doing some of your kidney's work. So now, your liver gets overloaded and it too will not work at full capacity.

What happens when your bowels, kidneys, and liver gets overloaded?

When that happen your body will expel toxins through your lungs and skin (your secondary channels of elimination). And this is when acne occurs. This is when your skin starts to breakout.

But whatever the toxic source is that's causing this problem, acne is a sign that your bowels and kidneys are overloaded with toxins, waste products, or hormones.

It is a sign that your liver is growing weaker in its detoxification abilities (and it will continue to grow weaker if you do not do what it takes to get rid of the toxics in your body).

So if you think that acne is your only problem, think again, your liver, kidneys, and bowels are getting weaker every time you breakout.

About the Author
Houa Yang is the author of "The Definite Guide To Acne Free Skin." It reveals how you can get rid of acne in 3 days & stop it from ever coming back! For more information visit: http://www.howtogetridofacne.com 

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it's not as simple as just listing the best acne treatments. That's not because there's no good acne treatments available, quite the opposite in fact, it's just that there's a few steps to take before deciding which are the best acne treatments for your acne.

Not everyone has the same acne problem and so the best acne cures for one person may not be the best acne cures for another. Acne attacks different people differently. For some, it's just a mild attack which will be managed quite satisfactorily with some simple facial cleansing routines. No more required. No need to search out any acne treatments, certainly no need to investigate the best acne treatments.

For others acne can be a serious problem indeed. Acne can be serious enough to produce scars which, if left untreated, can be emotionally and psychologically distressing. These people certainly need active acne intervention, and the best acne treatments available.

How do you know which category you are in? Consult your doctor. It's not always easy to know whether your acne is a simple passing phase which can be easily controlled, or something which needs serious intervention before it's too late. And your doctor will tell you the best acne treatments for your individual needs. The best acne treatments for YOU.

And not all acne medications work the same way for everybody. The best acne medications for some people may not work at all for others. This is just the way it is, that's not restricted to acne medications.

So, often, finding the best acne treatments can be a difficult process. The most highly recommended treatment may not work at all for you, but work well with your best friend. That's life, you need to move on to try another one until you find the best acne medication that works for you.

And remember that acne isn't a condition that is cured by a simple application of an acne medication. Acne isn't cured, it's controlled, it's managed. Acne decides for itself when it is finished. Up to then you need to be active in managing it. Once you body says "enough" then it's over. So the best acne treatments are treatments which need to be continued as necessary. Don't expect to just apply a treatment and "hey presto" no more acne. Sorry, it's not that simple.

And adult acne? Which are the best treatments for adult acne? Same answer. It depends. The best treatments for adult acne are the same as the best acne treatments for teenagers. They are the treatments that work for you. After you have seen your doctor, had your acne checked out, tried one or more until you find the one that works, and then settled on that one. Then you've found YOUR best acne cure.

And, one final suggestion, don't buy a suggested acne cure, apply it for a week and expect that your acne will be gone. It's not that easy. Apply the product for at least 2 or 3 months, or longer as recommended, before you make any judgements. Acne takes a long time to develop, and a long time to control. Even the best acne treatments on the market take quite a while to work. And remember to apply them exactly as recommended.

So, in closing, what are the best acne treatments? See you doctor, then test and try until you find the one for you. Most of them work for some, and none of them work for everyone.


About the Author
Find out more about Acne as well as Acne Cures and adult acne, acne skin care products, the best acne treatments and more at Peter's website, Acne All Gone.

Quite a bit of money can be spent searching for acne cures that work. There are so many products available, that it is hard to know which one's to try. You try one product, only to be disappointed, and then spend a lot of money on another system that claims it will cure your acne, only to be disappointed again. It seems to be a never ending cycle of looking for a cure, thinking you've found an acne cure, then being disappointed all over again.

The biggest problem is that people don't give the acne cures enough time to actually work, switching from one product to the next on a weekly basis. It can take up to three months for an acne treatment to cure your acne, and you may even notice that your acne appears to be getting worse before it starts to get better. Failure to follow the product directions is another common problem. Using too much of the acne medication can be just as much of a problem as not using it enough, causing your skin to become irritated.

The problem may not be the acne cures. Too often, people depend solely on the acne medication to cure acne, when in fact other lifestyle changes are needed. In many cases, medicinal acne treatments are not even required if you find that something else in your life is causing the acne. Most people don't think in terms of what is causing the acne in the first place, concentrating solely on curing the existing acne. But, in order to cure it for good, you must first determine what is causing it. Then, you will have your acne cure.

Science has shown us that acne is caused by excessive sebum production. With that proven, it is up to you, and possibly your health care provider, to determine exactly what is causing your body to produce excess sebum.

Other than the medication, you have to look at how you care for your skin. You must wash your face well at least twice each day, stop wearing makeup - which only serves to clog your pores even more, drink plenty of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and exercise at least three times a week. Many people don't realize it, but exercise relieves stress and helps remove toxins from the body through sweat. Both stress and toxins contribute to acne, which is why exercising regularly can actually be an acne cure for you.

Furthermore, you must keep your hair and your hands off your face. Hair and hands contain oils that contribute to acne. Squeezing or popping acne pimples is another problem, because it spreads the bacteria, and often causes scarring as well.

You may have a food allergy that is causing your acne. If this is the case, a visit to an allergy specialist, determining what foods you are allergic to, and eliminating those foods from your diet will cure your acne in most cases. Many people don't realize that they have food allergies, although most of us actually do, and in many cases, the only symptom that there is an allergy is, in fact, an acne breakout!

Making simple lifestyle changes may be the best acne cure available to you, and you may be pleasantly surprised at the results - especially considering how small the changes are. You should also increase your intake of vitamins A and E, as both of the vitamins promote healthy skin. You can take supplements, or eat foods that are rich in one or both of these vitamins. This small change can also help to cure or prevent acne.

However, if making these small lifestyle changes, and using over the counter acne treatments does not provide an acne cure for you, it may be necessary for you to visit a dermatologist to determine what will work. There are many different treatments available that have proven to be effective acne cures. While most of the acne cures your dermatologist will recommend can be expensive, they are usually well worth the cost. Again, make sure that you give the treatment time to work, and follow the directions of your dermatologist for use of the medication.

Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by dirty pores or eating chocolate. Acne is actually caused by overactive sebaceous glands. Hormones in you body cause acne to appear. Acne is extremely common in people ages 12-24, when our hormones are very active due to puberty, but many people continue to have acne outbreaks throughout their lives. Acne can show up on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders. While it is not life threatening, acne can cause scarring and emotional distress to those that suffer from it. This is why acne skin care is so important.

Many things can cause outbreaks of pimples and zits. Allergies, heredity, stress, weather, menstruation and even over washing can cause acne. There are lots of ways to treat acne. For mild to moderate cases, experts recommend washing your face twice daily and after any exercise. They also recommend over the counter acne products that contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These products can have some side effects of burning, redness and irritation, but often decrease or even disappear with continual use. The acne treatment industry is a multi-million dollar industry, and scientists come up with new ways to treat pimples regularly.

For moderate to sever acne, it is advisable to consult with a dermatologist. A dermatologist can diagnose the problem and has many treatment options for acne to choose from. Some treatments include used prescribed topical medications for the treatment of your acne, and even oral antibiotics, which help reduce acne outbreaks. Not everyone will receive the same kind of acne treatments, and your dermatologist can tailor the treatments to your specific needs.

Taking care of your skin is the best way to reduce pimples. Choose cleansing products that are not overly harsh and are oil-free. Wash your face after sweating heavily. For young women, the use of makeup can exacerbate acne problems, so it is a good idea to pick cosmetics that are non-comedogenic, because they do not clog pores. Never go to sleep at night without washing your face. It is also imperative that you do not squeeze or pinch zits. You may be tempted to do it, but it can lead to scarring. Don't spend a lot of time scrubbing your face, because it can make acne worse. It is also smart to avoid putting your hands on your face a lot, because the oil on your hands gets transferred to your face and can cause further outbreaks.

Pimples are a part of life for most of us. While that may not be much consolation to someone who is suffering from acne, it may help to put it in perspective. Acne happens to everyone at some point in his or her lives. The good news is that there are many products available to treat acne, and severe acne can be improved by seeing a dermatologist. Acne skin care does not have to be painful or embarrassing. By taking care of your skin and tackling pimples as they appear with common sense and some good acne products, you can improve the overall look and feel of your skin. 


About the Author
Bob Hett offers simple and concise advice on the causes and treatment of acne. Get the answers to all of your questions at
http://www.acnereview.info

Acne is a skin problem widely known and experienced by almost all of our people especially teenagers and young adults. When not given enough attention and care, acne can actually give you serious problems. Nowadays, doctors and advertisements offer us different products that might help solve our worries about acne. However, it is still better if you can actually cure it before seeing or consulting your doctor. There are actually acne home remedies that you can find and use inside your home or in your garden. All you have to do is to know how you can use that acne home remedy to finally say goodbye to your acne worries.

It's not just for your teeth!

There is still no scientific basis nor findings yet that discusses how the toothpaste can actually lessen, if not cure, the spread of acne. In fact, it is one of the most widely used acne home remedy by people! It might be a result of trial and discovery that made the toothpaste serve not only to clean the teeth but also as an unusual acne home remedy! To use it, just apply it directly to your zits before sleeping. This is believed to help control the swelling overnight. Just make sure that it is not the gel but the paste.

The salty-sour way to get rid of Acne

It is actually previously proven that salt can be used as an acne home remedy. Just prepare a salt solution (salt added to warm water) and wash your face with it twice everyday. This will remove the excess oil in your face, the main cause of pimples. You actually have an option to add vinegar to it. Apply it directly on the affected area and leave for 15-20 minutes.

Fruity Procedures

Fruits are definitely not just for food! They are not only good for inner nutrition but can also be used as cure for outer health problems. You can actually use some of them to be your acne home remedy! One thing you can do is to place strawberry leaves just directly on the affected part. Another is by applying fresh lemon juice mixed with rose water in your face, leaving it there for 15 minutes. A continuous application of this for 15 days is believed to give you amazing results! On the other hand, ground orange peel added with water to make a paste and applied to the acne can also make your face free of acne again. Lime combined with rose water is also a recommended acne home remedy! Just apply it on your face and leave it for 15-20 minutes then rinse with warm water. Juice made of Papaya apllied on the affected area is another great option. In addition, a paste made of ripe tomatoes is also an effective solution! That's so many great acne home remedies to choose from!

The power of the plant species against acne

Like the fruits mentioned above, there are herbs and other plants that also proved to serve as a good acne home remedy. You can try methi (fenugreek) leaves made to a paste and applied to stay in your face for 10-15 minutes. Two cloves of crushed garlic applied twice a day is another choice, just bear with the strong smell of this acne home remedy! A combination of witch hazel, tea tree and sweet fennel essential oils put into water can also give satisfactory results. Just always stir or shake it before applying to the swellings twice or thrice a day. Use cotton wool everytime you put it on.Aloe vera is also proven to be great as an acne home remedy! Just make a juice out of it and apply it twice a day for the fast healing of your lesions. Cucumber will never be out of the list for beauty regimen. Apply a paste of it as a mask and leave it for 30 minutes. A paste of ground radish, as well as ground sesame seeds are also very good options when curing your acne.

Take it in!

Paste or mask applied to the face is not only the way of curing acne.

About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/ for more information on acne and acne treatments.

Acne is a pernicious and upsetting condition, and most sufferers long for the day when their skin is clear of it. But many acne patients achieve clear skin only to find themselves left with a disappointing aftermath - acne scars. While many scars will fade significantly with time, most patients will want to begin enjoying their improved skin immediately. Thankfully, there is great makeup for acne scars available that can balance the appearance of your skin, giving you the bright and clear complexion that you have waited so long to achieve. There is a wide variety of specialist makeup for acne scars available, but many people will find that ordinary makeup, applied correctly, will do the job just as well.

If you have had a history of bad skin, it is always wise to select light, non-greasy make up products - there are a huge variety of foundations and powders available for sensitive skins, and many medicated varieties, should you feel your skin still needs a little extra help in keeping clear. Remember that your scars will lighten as time passes, but if dark scars are making you feel particularly self-conscious then there is a good selection of speciality make up for acne scars available that can also be used to cover other types of scars and birthmarks. If you would like some first hand tips on minimising the appearance of your scars, then treat yourself to a makeover at one of your local drug stores make up counters. The professionals will show you how to use their products to best compliment your own skin.

If you feel that using makeup for your acne scars is simply not enough, then there are ways of getting rid of acne scars. Dermabrasion is a popular treatment among former acne sufferers, and can help reduce the appearance of pitted scars significantly. The procedure involves the light scraping of the top most layer of skin, and while it can be effective, the process will initially result in skin that appears very raw. Skin needs especially delicate treatment after this procedure and most doctors will advise against even the use of camouflage makeup after dermabrasion. This can be upsetting for many patients who have already spent too much time with bad skin, so before signing up for the procedure be sure that is worth the possibility of getting rid of your acne scars. Make up for acne scars can be just as effective.


About the author:
Find out more about Acne at Peter's website http://www.acne-all-gone.com/as well as Acne cures and adult acne, acne skin care products, the best acne treatments and more. 

It is the bane of a person's existence. Everybody gets it; everybody hates it. And once you have it, prepare to be tormented, embarrassed and humiliated. Such a small bump, so much at stake. So what is this little bundle of horror? What else but the dreaded pimple!

A pimple, or acne as some people calls it, is a dreaded red, swollen bump in the face. Nobody is spared from having it. Male or female, American, Chinese or Puerto Rican, they all have gotten it at some points of their lives and may even still have it. It is like a universal language; it is like a right of passage in a person's life. Acne is a result of the hormones action on the skin's oil glands (the sebaceous gland) which leads to clogged pores and outbreak of lesions like pimples, blemishes or acne. Acne commonly occurs in the neck, face, back, shoulders and chest because the sebaceous glands are most abundant in these locations. But the important question we should be asking to be able to avoid this dreaded "disease" is, "What causes this pain in the neck called acne?"

Unfortunately, the causes of acne cannot really be determined (unless your parents or their parents are acne infested too then there's a big, big chance you'll be called acne face by your peers and classmates) thus the acne myths are born! These myths claim to be the cause of acne. We shall enumerate them here.

Acne Myth Number 1

Acne is caused by not washing your face often and not scrubbing it hard enough. Many believed that acne is caused by dirt and dust in the face and by washing your face two-three even four times a day or even by scrubbing your face hard can prevent acne. Wrong, wrong, wrong! It is true that dirt and dust is unsightly to the face and washing the face is the way to eradicate them but washing often can actually irritate the skin more. Washing should not be done more than twice a day. More than twice is enough to strip the face of its natural oils making it dry. Also, scrubbing can cause inflammations. Washing the face should be done as gently as possible with the gentlest facial scrub.

Acne Myth Number 2

Improper Diet can cause acne. Certain foods that are oily like French fries and junk food can cause acne to erupt in our face. But scientific studies have not discovered any connection between these two. So this means that food does not cause acne. Though a proper and healthy diet is always good for our system, eating like a pig won't make pimples a permanent resident in your face. So feel free to eat your favorite Lay's, French fries and chocolates anytime.

Acne Myth Number 3

When you're stressed acne tends to pop on your face like popcorn pops from a kernel. Not true. Stress is a part of our daily lives and believe it or not it is not a contributing factor to the acne residing in your face. Only severe stress treated by the doctor MAY cause acne to erupt only as a side effect of the drugs a person may be taking. If this is the case, consult your doctor immediately.
About the Author
Discover all you need to know about acne and what you can do to combat and prevent it from taking over your life.

Acne is really a big deal to anyone that suffers from it! It is major problem for almost all the teenagers, not only in this country, but also in all parts of the globe. Everyone wants to get rid of it! In fact, there is a wide variety of things that can actually help you cure it. You can make a paste or mask from different kinds of plants and herbs or just buy non-prescription products on the nearest store. However,You should know that these are just meant to handle mild to moderate acne problems. So, when these products and procedures are not working well for you, it is advisable to see and consult a doctor for advise.

There are really extreme cases when acne can't be treated just by self medication. Your doctors can offer you a more potent drug, or he/she can suggest another good option - acne laser treatment. In our present day, technology is changing our world faster than we think! Through the advance of science, we can now take advantage of LASER technology further in medical operations. Medical specialists say that undergoing acne LASER treatment is one of the most advance and, probably, the most effective treatment you can have to totally get rid of acne today. This amazing procedure will surely give hope to people who are greatly suffering with their acne. We have already used LASER treatment on acne scarring successfully for years, but it is truly a breakthrough to be used in treating existing acne. The question now is how can acne LASER treatment actually cure acne? Is it safe and effective?

How can that be?

Acne LASER Treatment is done by applying extreme thermal or heat effect on the sebaceous glands in order to damage it. Studies prove that the laser equipment used in the operation can actually do four treatments in one-month intervals. Statistics shows that 16 out of 17 patients got a 100% success on clearing the face. Test through skin biopsy immediately afterwards the operations revealed that the sebaceous glands showed alterations caused by the induced heat, decreasing the production of oil. Immediate proofs that acne LASER treatment is taking a postive effect!

Two Types of LASER

In performing acne LASER treatments, doctors are actually using two types of LASERs. One type deal with the inhibition of the bacterial growth that causes skin problems, while the other is made to work with the sebaceous glands in order to reduce the production of oil in particular parts of the body especially the face.

Still Under investigation

Even if it already proved to be a success on totally eradicating your acne, doctors admitted that acne LASER Treatment is still under research to further study its short and long-time effects. Thus, it is still not available yet for widely use to everyone. The patients should also know that insurance is not covered in the acne LASER treatment and that not all states can distinguish who are and who are not allowed to perform operations using LASER. Medical specialists also warn that procedures that require the use of LASER should be done by qualified physicians only. It is also suggested that you should ask for the qualification of the one that will do the operation before undergoing acne LASER treatment.

How many? for how long?

Your doctor might suggest that you undergo acne LASER Treatment for about 5 months, one treatment every month, in order to get satisfying results. However, if acne reappears, additional acne LASER treatment done periodically will be required.

How does it feel?

You might wonder how it feels undergoing the procedure. Well, most patients say that acne LASER treatment will give you a rubberband-like sensation during the operation. If ever you find this uncomfortable, you are given the choice to have topical anesthetic cream applied directly on your skin.

Although most teenagers get some form of acne, adults in their twenties, thirties, forties, or even older, can develop acne. Men and women alike experience acne, but men get it more severely. There are many adult acne treatments to choose from.

All acne treatments work by preventing new breakouts, and must be used over a period of weeks or months. Even if you begin to see improvement, continue treatment. Follow the directions on the package or as prescribed by your dermatologist.

There are many over-the-counter adult acne treatments to unblock pores, reduce bacteria and dry out pimples. They contain the acids or antibiotics benzoyl peroxide (such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot), salicylic acid (such as Stri-dex), sulfur or resorcinol (such as Clearasil Adult Care).

Even more numerous are prescription drugs and topicals that curb oil build-up, skin cell shedding and bacteria growth - all while drying and peeling away old acne and stimulating healthy skin growth. For women, there are even drugs that decrease testosterone levels. In cases of unresponsive or severe acne, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be used. Talk to your dermatologist to find out what is appropriate for your case of acne.

Beyond oral and topical medications, there are a number of other options for adult acne treatment.

Microdermabrasion is basically a sand-blasting technique that can clear up minor blemishes caused by acne. Light chemical peels with salicylic acid or glycolic acid help to unblock the pores, open the blackheads and whiteheads, and stimulate new skin growth. Injections of corticosteroids may be used for treating large red bumps (nodules). Birth control pills have the desirable side effect of treating and reducing acne breakouts.

Laser resurfacing can be helpful in treating acne as well, by vaporizing the acne and clearing the way for new skin to grow.

To avoid scarring, you should never pick or squeeze acne, especially inflammatory acne or "pustules". Squeezing forces infected material deeper into the skin, causing additional inflammation and possible scarring. Also, avoid scrubbing your skin. If you do get scars, acne scar treatment is available in many forms. Acne Treatment provides detailed information on the best acne treatments, including laser acne treatment, and scar treatment, as well as adult, natural, home treatment, and more.

Each one of us is different, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the acne skin care products that work for each of us. Acne can be an upsetting condition, and finding a product that makes a real difference to the quality of our skin can be a slow process of trial and error. But while each of us will react differently to different acne skin care products, experiencing different levels of improvement in our skin, it can be heartening to hear of acne products that have worked for others. So if you are drowning in an overwhelming sea of different choices, here are some suggestions to get you started from some of the top acne products rated by real acne sufferers.

There are two main types of acne product - oral medication, such as Accutane, or the contraceptive pill that tackle the problem from the inside, and topical solutions that work on the surface of your skin, such as various facial cleanser products. The latter are usually your first line of defence with acne, and there are many great acne products around that can make a real difference to the quality of your skin. Some of the products available can be overly astringent, which can dry your skin excessively, in turn causing the production of more of the sebum that causes spots, so using a milder product is wise, at least to start with. Many of the top acne products contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, both of which can be very effective in the treatment of acne, so look for acne skin care products that contain one of these ingredients.

Acne sufferers who have experienced dramatic improvement in their skin recommend the use of a good facial cleanser product as the first step in their skin care routine. Sufferers found improvement when using products such as Avon's O2 cleanser, Clinique's acne skin care range, Paula's Choice products, Aveeno and Mary Kay's Timewise or Velocity ranges. Individual blemishes respond well to topical solutions that can be used after facial cleansers, such as blemish sticks. Some sufferers also suggest the use of facemasks or peels, which can help remove impurities from your skin.

The wide variety of acne skin care products available today can be your tool in the fight against acne. You don't have to suffer anymore - you just have to find the one that works for you. 

(ARA) - Acne is a condition that affects almost everyone at some time in their lives. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 85 percent of adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 24 develop the disorder. And although it is most common among adolescents, some people continue to be affected into their forties and fifties.

There are so many acne products on the market that it can be difficult to choose what's best for you or your child. Even among medical researchers there is debate over which acne treatments are the most effective.

"Most products either don't work very well or have a litany of side effects," says Amy Baker, founder of Nature's Cure, an innovative health and beauty products company. "Acne has internal and external causes, and needs to be treated both inside and outside the body," she explains.

Nonprescription Treatments

Common over the counter treatments typically contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid -- usually in a cream or gel. These medicines take about two to four weeks to work, but only clear the acne to a point, because they don't address the source of the problem. They also need to be used continually to keep fighting the acne, and as a result some patients experience skin irritation, burning or redness.

Prescription Treatments

Antibiotics in a topical form are often prescribed as an acne treatment. They work by clearing the skin of bacteria, but often cannot clear up the more deep-seated cases. Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline and minocycline are more effective for severe cases of acne because they work systemically. However, they can cause such side effects as photosensitivity (higher risk of sunburn), upset stomach, dizziness and skin discoloration, and must be taken for as long as four to six months. A further drawback is that doctors are becoming more reluctant to prescribe antibiotics due to the increase in antibiotic resistance.

For very severe and disfiguring acne, there is a prescription drug called Accutane that has been successful in cases that don't respond to other treatments. However, it also has serious side effects like joint and muscle pain, eye irritation, hair thinning, and intestinal, urinary and headache symptoms. In addition, it has been associated with an increased risk of depression and suicide.

For people searching for less toxic ways to treat acne, there is an innovative over-the-counter treatment called Nature's Cure. "Because acne is caused by a combination of factors, including internal triggers that can cause imbalances inside the body, and an overproduction of oil and trapped bacteria on the outside, the most effective way to treat it is by addressing both areas," explains Baker. "The all natural treatment includes a homeopathic tablet to rebalance the body, and a cream that works to clear up existing pimples at the same time."

Consumers like Sandra Loppnow, a cosmetologist from Caledonia, Wis., are happy to find a natural acne treatment. She and her four daughters spent hundreds of dollars on various treatments, with no success. They saw Nature's Cure and decided it was worth a shot; within a month, every one of the girls was almost completely rid of her acne and Loppnow finally gained control of her acne at the age of 48. "I was skeptical at first, but I liked the idea of the all-natural tablets," she says. "I couldn't believe how well it worked, and it was so easy with just two pills a day. It changed our lives! I recommend it to everyone."

Unlike other remedies, Nature's Cure is available in a male and female version. "Male and female bodies and hormonal compositions are different, and you have to address those differences when you are treating acne," says Baker.

This homeopathic treatment is made from minerals, herbs and other natural extracts that activate the body's natural defenses. Because these ingredients are in minute concentrations, they trigger the body to heal itself without side effects. There is also a two-part body acne treatment that includes tablets and a medicated body spray that can be sprayed from any angle to treat hard to reach places like the back and neck. For more information about Nature's Cure acne treatments, visit www.NaturesCure.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content


About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

Choosing effective acne treatments from amongst the plethora of products available today can be a daunting task, and while many skincare specialists advocate the use of gentle products, it can be difficult to find a natural facial cleanser that will effectively cleanse your skin, while attacking the causes of your acne. This is why many people are choosing to make their own natural face cleaner from products in their own kitchen. And these can make effective acne treatments.

It can be difficult to make sense of the complicated sounding ingredients listed on the side of manufactured products, but many of the active properties of these cleansers are introduced by the addition of some of nature's simplest ingredients. You can recreate your very own effective acne treatments by putting these together in your own natural facial cleaner, making a product that can effectively treat your acne in a natural and gentle way.

A wide variety of natural products can act as effective natural facial cleaners that can be applied to the skin and rinsed away with warm water. The natural astringency of lime juice makes it an excellent base in effective acne treatments - mixed with boiled milk, it makes an effective and soothing facial wash. Mix lime juice with equal amounts of groundnut oil to use as a pre-wash: apply to the skin and leave for ten to fifteen minutes before washing. Mix with rose water and leave on the skin for about twenty minutes, and see how refreshed your skin looks and feels when you rinse with warm water.

Rose water can also be mixed with sandalwood to create an effective acne treatment - simply apply to the face and rinse with water after twenty minutes. Ground orange peel and water can be made into a paste and used in the same way. Natural facial cleaners can even be produced by mixing such strange ingredients as turmeric powder and mint juice; just rinse with water after twenty minutes to see the difference.

As with all new facial products that you use, it is always wise to test a patch of your skin for any potential adverse reactions before applying to your whole face. Rub a small amount of your selected mixture just behind your ear, rinse, and wait twenty-four hours. If you experience any redness or itchy patches, then one of the ingredients might not be right for you.

But don't be disheartened - just try the next mixture. It could be one of the effective acne treatments you've been looking for.

You can often be surprised, but you can sometimes make your own effective acne treatments.

In 1979, Maurice Messe'gue', the famous French herbalist, who practiced herbal footbaths for all kinds of ailments, wrote a book called "Health Secrets of Plants and Herbs." In this book he outlined his footbath treatment for Eczema.

I have listed his herbal recommendations and have added a few more that are effective in reducing eczema symptoms. I have listed 11 herbs that you can buy in small quantities, ½ oz, to mix together, produce a tea, and use in a footbath.

As mentioned in my other article on footbaths, create a tea, with herbs and let them sit for 20-30 minutes. Then strain and add them to a footbath. Use the footbath in the morning and evening for 10 - 14 minutes.

Use at least 9 of the herbs listed here.

Artichoke leaves - You can use artichoke leaves dried whole or cut down and as an extract. Artichoke leaves have been used for indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. They help increase bile and help the liver to regenerate. The liver needs to be in good condition to help eczema conditions when excess toxins are contributing to eczema. The liver helps to detoxify colon toxins and other toxins that may reach eczema locations and cause inflammation.

What I do is just buy some artichokes and cut them into small pieces - about a small hand full - boil water and put them into the boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Then I take the boiling water off the stove and put my herbs.

Elecampane leaves - This herb is used to expel intestinal parasites, helps to pull toxins out of the body, stimulate digestion and the immune system. A tea of leaves and roots help clean the skin by removing toxins and allowing your immune system to heal your skin.

Cabbage leaves - these leaves are known to reduce your susceptibility to cancer. It is thought that cabbage leaves have anti-inflammatory action. Cabbage has a healing action on open wounds. You can use fresh cabbage cut into small pieces and add them to the boiling water at the same time you add the artichokes.

Nettles - Nettle tea is good for wounds, stings, and burns. It is also used to eliminate worms and for colon disorders. Many times skin disorders can be the result of a toxic colon. That is why cleansing and detoxifying the colon will help with any type of skin problem.

Sage - is a strong astringent, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. It increases blood circulation, and helps digestive problems.

Lavender -It is used for inflammation from insect bites. Lavender helps to calms nerves. Many of the skin disorders stem from anxiety and nervous conditions which lower the immune system. This allows toxins or heredity conditions to surface and re-establish themselves as skin diseases.

Marigold - is used for pain and skin swelling. It is good for wounds, sprains, and inflamed and sore eyes.

Arnica - stimulates blood circulation and increases blood pressure. It is used for eczema and acne. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce swelling and pain and helps heal wounds.

Burdock root - Has an excellent history of helping bruises, swelling, and joint pain. It can help to eliminate ringworm on the surface of the skin.

Black Walnut - hull and leaves are used to rid you of various kinds of worms throughout the body. It is useful in constipation, parasitic and fungal infection. It also helps eczema, acne, herpes, skin parasites, and psoriasis.

Yarrow Flowers - helps to improve liver function. It has antiseptic and viral properties. It firms and tones tissue outside and inside the body. It helps to boost your immunity and kills many types of pathogens. Its oils absorb toxins and help the body dispose of them without out creating side effects.

There you have it. Don't be afraid of buying separate herbs and creating an herbal mixture that you can use in a footbath for eczema, acne and other skin conditions. One last thing, when you use the footbath, you will stir up toxins that may increase skin breakouts but this will pass as the footbaths help to clean out your body.

Like a good many people I have been the victim of acne vulgaris (what an appropriate name) the medical term for pimples. It has made me aggravated, made me cry, and made me angry. Thousands of people each year are afflicted by it, and it makes recluses out of a good many teenagers.


It is caused when your pores get clogged and the fatty material made by the sebaceous gland accumulates, and a "bump" appears under the skin-or perhaps a whitehead or a blackhead (a comedone). Blackheads are not caused by dirt but by the discoloring effect of air on the fatty material in the clogged pore. If this substance becomes infected a pimple results.


As anyone can tell you the worst thing to do is to push or "pop" a pimple. Because this will not only cause more, but can result in life long scars. No matter what you see on TV or a friend tells you, don't pop a pimple. I know, I made the mistake and I'm still regretting it.

But not too long ago I discovered a way to lessen the intensity of my outbreaks, although it stops short of completely curing them.


I totally avoid grain products, most especially bread, corn, cereal, and other pastries, (also potatoes) and to still get all my vitamins I add wheat germ and brewer's yeast to yogurt or milk and fruit. Brewer's yeast does take time to acquire a taste to however, and can be found at most if not all Health food stores.

This method may appeal to you or it may not. Use your own judgment and see what is right for you.

In 2001, after comparing over 250 studies and 150 drugs, a team at Johns Hopkins Children's Center still has no clue as to how to successfully treat acne. With this lineup of intelligence failing to cure acne, how can any average Jane expect to free herself from a zit affliction? Simple; crack the code of your zits.

An effective acne treatment has remained elusive because the deeper meanings behind the information-packed pimples are too often neglected or unexamined, until now.

"Listen to the messages of your zits", proclaims Naweko San-Joyz, author of Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne. Zits are smart and full of knowledge about you and your lifestyle. Those pimples on your face act as little messengers from the body to suggest beneficial changes to your lifestyle and areas of your life to which you should pay more attention.

Acne Messages guides the exacerbated acne sufferer to find out exactly what causes their unique case of acne. This is the shortcoming of most acne prescriptions and creams; they treat acne as a target as opposed to probing into what emotional, physical, psychological and or nutritional needs set off the acne trigger.

Once you decode you zit, the zit will reveal a wealth of practical information about you. For example, how well you cope with stress, whether or not your specific nutritional needs are being met, if your personal goals are being met, if your organs are functioning at optimum levels, and whether or not your self esteem is balanced are just of sample of the revelations communicated by zits. Using ancient wisdom and modern science San-Joyz helps people with acne pinpoint the root cause of their unique case of acne.

Acne Messages is designed for people with acne who can find no relief with drugs, special diets, or creams alone.

Do you let your zits tell you at least these five things about yourself before you pop it, slather it with creams, or ingest some acne wonder drug? If not, this could be why you are one of the 17 million people in the United States still coping with acne.

Read Acne Messages, decode the messages of your zits and say goodbye to acne. You can begin your own Acne Messages just $14.99 plus shipping and handling. Available at Noixia.com and AMAZON.com.

About the Author
Health author and Noixia campaigner Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include "Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne" (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work "Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we're still not getting this dieting thing" (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005.
For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com.

If you are on your teenage years, pretty good chances that you have some acne. About 8 to 10 preteens and teens have acne along with many adults. It is but a common skin problem that is considered to be a normal part of puberty. Apparently, it does make teen or any individual uncomfortable and it doesn't make it easier when you look in the mirror and see the big pimple on your face or chin. However, there is good news such as simple steps that will help you feel better about your face.

Acne is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps including whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and cysts. You are always wondering how those pimples have grown onto your face or the how you got those zits on your back. The simplest scientific explanation that you could know is that your skin is covered with tiny holes called hair follicles or pores. These pores contain sebaceous glands also known as oil glands that make sebum, oil that moisten your skin and hair. Glands, most of the time, make the right amount of sebum and the pores are fine. But sometimes, a pore gets clogged up with too much sebum, dead skin cells and germs called bacteria thus causing you to have acne.

Doctors believe acne results from several related factors but the exact cause is unknown. One important factor is the increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). The increase in hormones during puberty causes the enlargement of sebaceous glands thus making more sebum. Also, the hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can cause acne. Hereditary or genetics is another factor that acne may be related to. Others believe that the tendency to develop acne is inherited from parents. Certain drugs including lithium and androgens are known to cause acne. Likewise, greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together thus producing a plug.

Moreover, there are many myths about what causes acne. People often blame chocolates and greasy foods but foods seem to have little effect on the development and course of acne in most people. Dirty skin is as well believed to cause the skin disorder; however, blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt. Lastly, stress does not cause acne. Obviously, there are several factors that can make the acne worse. The changing hormone levels in the adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts affect the worsening of the acne. Leaning on or rubbing the skin, environmental irritants, squeezing or picking at blemishes and hard scrubbing of the skin are other factors that could worsen acne conditions.

Aside from the dermatologist who specializes on skin problems, there are doctors who treat all kinds of acne, particularly those of severe cases. Family practitioners, pediatricians or internists may treat individuals with milder cases of acne. It is always the goal of the treatment to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring as well as minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by the disease. The drug treatment is to reduce several problems playing a part in causing acne; abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production, bacteria and inflammation. The doctor will recommend one of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or prescription medicines either topical (applied to the skin) or systematic (oral medication) depending on the extent of the person's acne. 

Many people wonder what the active cause for acne to occur on an individual really is a result from and some folks even attribute it to roasted peanuts. The truth is acne, zits and blackheads can be caused from a variety of reasons. Your diet is really just one small piece of the acne causing problems. Other factors include exercise, cosmetics, diet, hormones, hygiene, medications, shaving and stress. For the subject of this article I'll stick with the diet portion and how it can influence your resistance or encouragement of acne.

Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for acne preventative care is a healthy diet along with a vitamin regiment that should prevent any sort of zit or blackhead outbreak. Here is a small list of healthy vitamins, minerals and other supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts:

Vitamin A,
Vitamin B Complex,
Vitamin C,
Vitamin E,
L-Carnitine and
Zinc

In terms of diet the following measures can be taken with the hope of preventing an acne outbreak or at the very least minimizing further outbreaks of zits and blackheads. It's recommended that you add more fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts to your regular diet. This can be accomplished by eating more salads, dried fruit and nut snacks and by drinking more juices.

It is recommended that you decrease your daily intake of caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates. There have been some clinical studies showing that caffeine can increase the levels of stress hormones inside your body, provoking or worsening acne conditions. This means you should cut back on your consumption of tea, coffee, chocolate and other beverages containing caffeine. The same advice goes for sugar and refined carbs. For instance white bread, rice, flour, and pasta can result in an insulin surge, resulting further in an excess of male hormones that stimulate skin to discharge lots of sebum, which in turn leads to clogged pores allowing bacteria to grow and acne to appear.

Finally it is also recommended that you decrease your dietary intake of red meat and dairy products. Since both are more difficult for our bodies to digest and some researchers say that when the body puts forth an increased effort in the digestion of high levels of animal protein, waste products are not completely processed as usual, instead they can shed slowly, blocking pores, causing acne.

Hopefully these few diet tips will help in your quest to stop the appearance of acne, zits and blackheads. And remember it hasn't really been proven that roasted peanuts cause acne.

About the Author
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com. He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and home acne treatment information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Iodine is a trace mineral that regulates thyroid hormones while promoting normal growth and development. It is present in iodized salt, seafood and crops grown in iodine rich soil.

So you've read that excessive amounts of iodine can irritate your pores and provoke acne. So what do you do? Avoid excess iodine, right?

But iodine shows up in a motley of unassuming locals as Jean Carper, points out in Food Your Miracle Medicine. For instance, the Recommended Daily Allowance, RDA, of iodine for adults is 150 mcg, but one cup of milk has 88mcg of iodine, that's over half of the RDA. One egg has 24 mcg and a slice of American cheese carries 16 mcg of iodine. And the content of iodine in some fast food meals has exceeded the RDA by as much as 10 times.

Just because excess iodine may provoke acne does not mean you want to ex it out our your diet. Poor iodine intake can result in Goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland, and Cretinism, which causes dwarfism and mental retardation

Foods that contain large amounts of iodine include:

·Iodized salt, sea salt, and salty foods. Because it's hard to know which restaurants use iodized salt, you might want to avoid eating out during this time
·All dairy products (milk, sour cream, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream)
·Margarine
·Egg yolks
·Seafood (fish, shellfish, seaweed, kelp)
·Foods that contain carrageen, agar-agar, algin, or alginate - all of these are made from seaweed
·Many prepared and/or cured meats (ham, bacon, sausage, corned beef, etc)
·Fresh chicken or turkey with broth or additives injected
·Dried fruit
·Canned vegetables
·Commercial bakery products
·Chocolate
·Molasses
·Soy products (soy sauce, soy milk, tofu)
·Any vitamins or supplements that contain iodine
·FD&C red dye #3 - this appears in many foods or pills that are red or brown, including colas

Foods with moderate amounts of iodine include:
·Egg whites
·Fresh noncured meat from the butcher
·Matzoh
·Homemade bread made with non-iodized salt and oil (not soy!) instead of butter or milk
·Most fresh fruits and vegetables (but not too much spinach & broccoli), washed well
·Frozen vegetables that don't have high-iodine ingredients (like regular salt) added
·Canned peaches, pears and pineapples
·Natural unsalted peanut butter
·Clear sodas
·Coffee or tea, as long as it's made with distilled water. But remember, only non-dairy creamer!
·Popcorn popped in vegetable oil or air popped, with non-iodized salt
·Sorbet - but remember to check the ingredient list for FD&C red dye #3!

As with all things, self-knowledge and moderation are the keys to divine health. It's always good to know what you are eating before it starts eating away at you.

If you suffer from acne, you may need acne skin care products. There are lots of acne skin care products on the market. Which acne skin care products are best? The following list was put together by Teen Advice:

Acne skin care products #1 choice: Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask.
This mask is scented with lavender which will help with stress as well as acne. This mask is said to take care of the acne you already have and thwart any acne that may be in your future.

Acne skin care products #2 choice: PhytoMe Acne Gel will not only take care of a really nasty case of acne, it will also help with the pain you may have.

Acne skin care products #3 choice: Neutrogena Cooling Mask is a product that is good for cleaning your pores. Acne skin care products such as this one are not meant to get rid of acne but will help prevent future outbreaks.

Acne skin care products #4 choice: Acne Dry Spot is intended for use at night. Acne skin care products like this one should diminish blemishes overnight. Acne Dry Spot should be used only on places that have been affected with acne.

Acne skin care products #5 choice: Bjore Blemish Bomb is like an acne patch and also works overnight.

Acne skin care products #6 choice: pHisoderm 4-Way Daily Acne Cleanser is a product that works for all skin types. Acne skin care products that clean, tone and fight acne are good because they will help with clogged pores and reduce acne outbreaks.

One of these acne skin care products should work for most people who suffer from acne.

About the Author
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com. He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and acne treatment information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.