Articles

On his way to art class, Joshua Vasquez noticed his first zit. He was worried that everyone was looking at him. However Joshua is lucky that there are many good acne remedies available.

Acne can strike anytime, anywhere. It doesn't matter what your gender, race, or age are. It is true that adolescents and young adults are most often the victims. About 85% of people in this age group suffer from acne, and of those affected ones about 23% will suffer acne so severe that it leaves permanent scarring.

Adults have acne too. It has been reported by The American Dermatologist Association that around 20 percent of people that are over 24 years of age have acne. That is about 60 million Americans. About 20 million Americans are afflicted with acne that causes permanent scarring. Only about 10 percent of the people that have acne will seek medical help. This is believed to be due to the social stigma of acne.

There is reason to hope, though, for those afflicted by acne. Once you know what causes acne, what helps and the things that don't and how to prevent most acne, you can take steps to get skin that is clear.

Why Does Acne Exist?

You can't "catch" acne from a person or place. Still, there are measures you can take to lessen your likelihood of getting acne breakouts. Simply put, breakouts occur when too much oil is produced by the sebaceous glands. Other acne triggers are things like:

* An inherited tendency towards acne or genetics * Pollutants in the environment * Humidity * Over washing the skin * Physical irritation * Some prescribed medications * Hormones and hormone imbalances * Stress and anxiety * Cosmetics that are oil based * Poor cleansing of the skin

Save your time and money.

While some acne solutions improve your acne, many don't. When buying an over the counter acne remedy, be on your guard. Lots of the acne remedies on the shelves today have harsh components that can dry out your skin, and could even make your acne worse. Pick your acne products with care and look for products that are soothing.

What Really Works

Four things are guaranteed to help acne. Together they pack a powerful punch to make acne a former problem.

* Healthy diet * Adequate sleep * Water * Proper cleansing

Natural products like tea tree oil can be good to treat acne. Tea tree oil has strong antiseptic properties and is quite efficient at addressing stubborn acne. Additional benefits include skin with a bright, healthy glow. For cystic acne, mint can prove to be a good spot treatment. It kills bacteria while providing coolness for the skin.

Out of the various do-it-yourself masks, a good cleansing and firming mask is one made out of egg white and corn starch. Apply a mixture of egg white and corn starch to clean skin and let it dry. Using a wet cloth, take the mask off, and rinse well. You will be left with wonderful skin.

An Ounce of Prevention!

Prevention will help you avoid acne. The best way to avoid acne is to take good care of yourself. A sensible, low fat diet that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains will help keep your skin clear. Dark green leafy vegetables, like swiss chard, are strong acne fighters. Be sure to drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated. Adequate sleep is another proven beauty secret. Doctors will tell you to get about seven hours of sleep a night.

Ultimately, to keep your skin nice and clear, you must clean it properly. Your skin needs to be cleansed daily. Cosmetic makeup must be removed each evening before retiring. To have nice skin it is necessary to use a gentle cleanser, and lukewarm water. Over scrubbing can cause your acne to increase. Rinse your skin several times, and use a clean towel to blot dry. It is best to prevent acne before it starts, and you won't have to be bothered with trying to get rid of it.