Beauty Related Articles

Joshua Vasquez just saw his first zit before shuffling off to his Art class. Imagine his worry as he figured that everyone was examining him. Fortunately for Joshua there are good acne remedies available.

Acne can affect you at any time and any place, attacking without regard to race or gender. Most of those that suffer from acne, though, are young adults and teens. Experts have calculated that about 85% of people who are in this age group are afflicted with acne and of those about 23% will get extended scarring that can be anywhere from light to severe.

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?

While acne is not contagious, there are some known things that do contribute to a case of getting acne lesions. To make it easy, acne is caused when the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. Other causes may include:

Acne can have a genetic factor but can all be affected by environmental pollution, humidity, drying out the skin, skin irritation, medications, hormonal imbalances, hormones, oil based cosmetics, anxiety and stress and the cleaning the skin properly.

Don't Waste your Time and Money

It's true that some acne remedies could help, but the truth is that many do not. Especially if you buy an over-the-counter treatment, you need to be careful. Many commercial remedies are abrasive and cruel to your skin. They could even worsen your acne! Take care to choose a product that is gentle.

What Actually Works

Using the four methods that are sure to hinder acne, you can make this problem a thing of the past.

* Healthy diet * Adequate sleep * Water * Proper cleansing

To treat existing acne, try natural products like tea tree oil which has strong antiseptic properties and is very effective. Witch hazel is a helpful skin toner and it can provide a healthy glow. Mint is a good spot treatment, especially for cystic acne. It will cool and sooth the skin while killing bacteria in the process.

A good cleansing and firming mask that you can make yourself is an egg white and corn starch mask. Make a paste with the egg white and corn starch. Apply to clean skin and allow to dry. Take it off later with a wet washcloth and rinse well. You will end up with great skin.

An Ounce of Prevention!

When it comes to acne, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Eating a healthy diet that is low in fat, getting enough servings of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains will go a long way to curb acne outbreaks. In particular, dark green leafy vegetables are good for keeping acne at bay. Getting enough water is also important, as is getting sufficient sleep each night. Doctors recommend seven to eight hours of sleep.

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.