Alternative Acne Treatments – A Brief Users Guide For Parents, Teens And The Rest Of Us.

Everyday numerous acne suffers turn to alternative methods to treat their acne. The two main reasons for the growing popularity of such treatments are; people looking for medication with less harmful side effects then tradition acne treatments. Secondly are the people who have been unsuccessful with the various over the counter and prescription options. Generally alternative treatments are not regulated by the FDA and hence you will not receive much guidance from medical doctors on their use. Word of month and the alternative medical community is the main source of information on such options.

For teenage girls and women herbs that balance hormone levels such as chaste berry, black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose, wild yam, and red clover are quite commonly tried. Herbalists believe that these herbs balance the female sex hormone estrogen and will counterbalance the hormone androgen. Since androgen is believed to trigger excess sebrum production, which can cause hair follicles to clog and acne to form, acne could be prevented or reduced.

In an effort to get clear skin that is acne free, you may want to think about putting tea tree oil on the spots that are acne prone. This oil is natural and will not dry out your skin, and helps reduce oil build up in the pores.

Herbs that are thought to help reduce inflammation and infection can be used for both male and female acne suffers. Echinacea, licorice, dandelion root, and burdock are all thought to contain properties that help with the above by killing bacteria. The herbs salvia and red peony are also used sometimes to help acne suffers improve their skins ability to heal.

You can use over-the-counter acne treatments to help with your acne. These are mainly topical and generally include popular acne ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. You must be careful with these though and follow the directions on how much to use and how many times to apply them. Also, these may be too harsh for some, so if you have doubts, ask a physician or dermatologist.

Vitamin B5 also known as pantothenic acid is a commonly used vitamin to treat acne. It become widely popular after Dr. Leung a Hong Kong acne expert published a paper on its effectiveness. His paper was based on the theory that acne sufferers are deficient in vitamin B. The result is excess sebum production, the root cause of clogged hair follicles leading to acne. Dr Leung also tested his theory through a clinical trial where 100 acne suffers were given 10g of B5 daily, after six months Dr. Leung’s test group had a ninety percent success rate.

Don't overdo the commercially "proven" acne treatments. Some of the creams that have been used for years can prevent acne also. A great and effective old-fashioned remedy to prevent acne is using soap and water. Washing your face in the morning and at night will keep your skin clear and helps fight acne and clogged pores.

Topical treatments such as tea tree oil and seaweed, which are both believed to have powerful antibacterial properties are also widely regarded as being effective on acne inflammations. Tea tree oil comes from the ti tree in Australia and seaweed from the oceans.

Don't use multiple acne treatments at once. While it may be tempting to try as many acne creams and lotions as possible, if you use more than one at a time, you run the risk of damaging your skin. Certain acne creams contain very powerful ingredients that can be quite harsh on your skin, and in some cases, they could react with each other and cause irreparable damage.


A common belief is that controlling stress reduces the severity of acne. So anything you can do to alleviate stress will help. Many acne suffers turn to exercise for stress relief, yoga being very popular. Aromatherapy can also be used in stress relief, along with acupuncture, and meditation.

If you have tried all the over-the-counter acne treatments available without success, then Adapalene, also called Differin, could be a useful acne medication for you. Adapalene is a topical retinoid that comes in cream of gel form. It works by reducing the production of sebum, an oily substance that can block pores causing spot, blackheads and inflammation. Currently a doctor's prescription is required to obtain this medication.

While the predominate reason many people turn to alternative acne treatments is to reduce the harmful side effects of tradition medicines the reverse may actually be true. Caution should be used before trying any alternative treatments. They may have adverse side effects not common known due to the lack of regulations on most alternative treatments.

6 Tips on How to Clear up Acne

Although having acne breakouts is normal, especially for teens, people can’t still help but search for ways on how to clear up acne. Some are finding ways on how to treat it inexpensively while others really saves enough money so that they can pay for the soothing expensive facial skin care which can be availed in most beauty salons. But for those with hectic schedules, and can’t find time to visit any facial salons or dermatologist’s clinic, here are some ways that could help in clearing up your acne.

1. Avoid squeezing or popping your pimples and as much as possible prevent yourself from touching your outbreaks especially with unclean hands. The more you touch or squeeze the puss out of your acne, the more sebum your skin will produce. It will take more time before your pimples and blackheads clear up because of the inflammation and irritation that can possibly occur.

If you want to achieve acne-free skin, apply tea tree oil in the spots that are acne-prone. Consider using tea tree oil, which is all natural and will not dry out the skin as various other acne remedies, but can be just as effective at reducing the buildup of oils in your pores.

2. Wash your face thoroughly at least two times a day. Proper facial hygiene is the best to way on how to clear up acne as well as preventing acne to appear. Use facial soaps that does not contain oil or soaps that are not acidic.

To help clear acne pour some diluted tea tree oil onto a cotton ball and apply the mixture directly onto the affected skin. Tea tree oil is an excellent natural acne remedy, and in recent studies tea tree oil has been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic qualities.

3. Don’t forget to use moisturizer after washing your face with a sulfur-based soap that is designs specifically for acne prone people. Washing can strip of natural lipids and your skin, so put a moisturizer that suits the type of skin you have (sensitive, normal or dry) so that your body will not produce extra oil that may cause your skin to be more susceptible to breakouts.

To help clear acne, you should make sure to wash your face at least two times a day. This removes the oils and sweat that has been building up on your face. You may want to use some sort of facial wash or cleanser to help in scrubbing and removing these oils.

4. Most people turn to over-the-counter products that are made to fight acne. This is the first solution they think of on how to clear up acne instantly. There are some topical creams that do not need any prescriptions from a doctor. However, make sure that the cream you will be using may not cause you allergies that can even worsen your current facial dilemma.

Consider a moisturizer treatment gel that is designed to moisturize the skin as well as clear acne. There are many moisturizers specifically created to deal with acne. Be careful with products that exfoliate though, because this can actually damage the skin. Find one that is designed to soothe acne symptoms while moisturizing.

5. In case you are indulging yourself in some detoxification activities such as yoga or exercise, make sure that you wipe the sweat from your face immediately after the activity.

Lemon Juice has been known to clear acne because its citric acid helps dry pimples out. You simply put a small amount on a cotton swap or Q-tip and apply to the affected area. For those who have sensitive skin, it is recommended to dilute the lemon juice with a small amount of water.

6. Use creams that have benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient. But keep in mind that even these anti-acne products can still cause your skin to dry even though they help in healing your acne so you still need to use moisturizers. The stronger the medicine is, the higher percentage of benzoyl peroxide it contains. Some users testify that using creams with benzoyl peroxide is one of the best solutions on how to clear up acne.

If nothing you have tried has worked to help clear up your acne, you may want to consult a doctor or dermatologist. They may be able to give you advice on things you can do to help clear acne up. If worst comes to worst you may have to take a medication to clear your skin up.

When all things fail, consult your trusted dermatologist that would give you advice and medicines that on how to clear up acne.

Try an aspirin mask. You can make a great overnight acne treatment by crushing up a few uncoated aspirin pills and adding a small amount of water to make a paste, then applying this paste to your skin. This mask can help to clear acne as aspirin contains salicylic acid. But, if you are allergic to aspirin pills, avoid using this treatment as aspirin can be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin.

Always keep in mind that even though these tips worked for some, it does not necessarily mean that it might work for you too. Whichever solution is best for you, keep it as a part of your daily routine. No matter what technique you choose on how to clear up acne, you need to remember that your acne problems will never be solved overnight.

Acne Has Met Its Arch Nemesis With These Tips!

From pills to pads, the store shelves are full up of products that are supposedly ,designed to help you get rid of blemishes and all-around bad skin. Do any of them actually work? Here is some must-know acne information that will help you keep clear and healthy skin.

To help combat acne, add chromium to your diet. You can take a chromium supplement once a day. This will cause your pimples to heal quickly, and keep acne at bay. Chromium, which is popular in weight loss diets, is also effective for healing infections you may have on your skin.

To help prevent your face form breaking out, you should moisturize it. When you wash your face, it dries up under the effect of the soap. A dry skin will produce more oil to compensate and thus it is more likely to eventually break out. Use a gentle, natural moisturizing cream or lotion every time you wash your face.

If you want to reduce the amount of acne you have, you should avoid any stressful situations. Calm yourself down, and relax a little! The stress will cause more acne breakouts, and these will probably make you even more stressed! Try to find your happy place. Try to stay in a calm environment.

Clean your cell phone and house phones regularly to avoid acne breakouts. Gently clean the screen and number pad with a damp cotton swap and some rubbing alcohol. This will remove any left over bacteria and oils from the surface and won't reapply them to your cheek and ear, when you go to talk.

The most expensive facial cleanser in the world, will not get your face any cleaner than the cheapest one, that does the job for you without irritation. Money will buy fancy labels and beautiful bottles, but the fact is, your face is a skin barrier, with only a finite number of cells that can be penetrated. No cleanser can go past that point. So if you find an inexpensive cleanser that doesn't irritate your skin, even if it's the $2 Cetaphil knockoff from Walgreens, use it and save yourself a ton of dough.

To help treat acne, you can rub ice cubes on your face at night before bed. The cold water will help tighten up your pores and keep your skin clear. Use the ice cubes at the end of your skin care routine, so your skin is clean and free of dirt and oil.

If you have scarring from severe acne, go to your skin doctor and ask about laser treatment and the different forms of acne scar treatments. CO2 fractional laser treatment removes the first layer of skin from your face, creating a smoother appearance with less red marks and discolorations, improving your appearance.

If you find that your acne is not disappearing no matter what you do, you should always consult your doctor. The doctor knows what the best products are. Your doctor will be able to provide you with the information that you need to purchase acne products and create a skin care system that will work for you.

When trying to prevent acne, you should always use water-based, hypo allergenic makeup or moisturizer. These products are not guaranteed to prevent or help with acne. They are, however, less likely to increase your acne. Be sure to read all labeling on the products that you are buying to find out what is in it.

Acne Treatment

A paste of cinnamon and honey can be beneficial as an acne treatment. Combine ground cinnamon with a dab of honey to form a paste and apply it to the acne. Cinnamon is a natural antiseptic and honey is a natural antibiotic. Together they can relieve and cure a breakout.

Don't forget to moisturize your skin if you suffer from acne. Most acne treatment creams contain strong ingredients that can sometimes cause red patches and dryness. There are a number of moisturizers available for all skin types. If your skin is particularly oily, choose an oil-free moisturizer. For sensitive skin, go with something that is fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic. If you are using an acne treatment cream, avoid any moisturizer that contains ingredients that exfoliate the skin, such as alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid. It may further irritate your skin.

The biggest piece of advice that can be given as one searches for acne treatment is to make sure you are washing your face thoroughly and consistently every day and more than once a day. While there needs to be other treatments implemented, this is the first step. Without this step, the others will have a hard time being effective. Washing your face takes away the oils and bacteria that are building up and causing acne to form.

Acne Mask

Honey and yogurt can make a great acne mask. Just mix one part honey to two parts yogurt. Apply to the entire face and leave on for about fifteen minutes. The yogurt has soothing properties and the honey has antiseptic properties. They are both wonderful for clearing your skin and keeping it fresh.

Bad skin can be hereditary or something you can get, due to negligent care. These tips will work for any type of acne by attacking it at the source. This will not only help you to get rid of current blemishes, but also to help you prevent future outbreaks. That's what it's really all about though, to help in getting rid of acne! Use the tips you've learned here to help.

Acne - Quick Tips

Quick Acne Tips 1: Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin; however, they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.

Quick Acne Tips 2: If a non-electric razor is your choice, a single-edged blade is actually better. Why? Because double- and triple-edged blades grab hair follicles and pull them out from below the epidermis. And in the process, your skin "heals itself" by closing over these holes, making it difficult for future hair follicles to grow outward - creating inflammation in the tight areas.

If you suffer from serious acne, try taking a zinc supplement or a daily vitamin containing zinc. A zinc supplement should be taken about two or three times a day in small doses. Zinc is a mineral that can help your body reduce the number of acne breakouts you suffer.

Quick Acne Tips 3: Thoroughly clean your face and any other areas where cosmetics are applied daily, especially if used when combined with exercising or other activities that promote sweating, where there is the opportunity for the chemicals to be absorbed or soaked up into your pores.

When it comes to acne the biggest tip that anyone can offer is try not to touch your face. In studies it's been show that the average person touches their face thousands of times a day. Just imagine all the bacteria, dirt, and grime on your hands. So if you want to be acne free, the first step to take is to keep your hands away from your face.

Quick Acne Tips 4: Cosmetics - To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that are similar to acne and that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "noncomedogenic" or "oil-free." Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Other additives in coloring that can cause similar reactions are coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes.

Applying tea tree oil can help to clear up your acne breakouts. You will need to dilute the tea tree oil before application. Simply use a cotton ball to apply the diluted solution directly to your acne. Tea tree oil helps to heal your breakouts quickly, by killing the bacteria.

Quick Acne Tips 5: More preventative measures include using a lip gloss that promotes a matte finish instead of a high gloss for less pore-clogging; note the more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog. Beware that eye creams can contain heavier concentrations of moisturizers than regular creams and lotions, meaning they have greater potential to clog pores in the surrounding facial areas.

Makeup can be an important factor in controlling acne. All makeup products should be washed off at the end of the day before bedtime. This will definitely, prevent the pores from being clogged due to impurities in the makeup. You might also want to try water based makeup instead of oil based. If you are experiencing a breakout and wish to wear makeup, use only a limited amount or abstain from wearing it all together.

Quick Acne Tips 6: Additionally use caution with hair styling products that contain oils, alcohol and adhesives that should be kept away from skin and from seeping into pores along with perspiration during workouts; especially watch hair gels and mousses so that they don't cause clogging around your hairline. Use care when choosing fragrance and scented cosmetics for acne, too, and opt for "hypo-allergenic" or "fragrance-free" versions where possible to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritations (a sampling 3-day test behind an ear is recommended).

9 Acne Treatments That Definitely Do Not Work

Given that acne is by far the most common disease in the world, I’m constantly surprised at the amount of misinformation there is about acne treatments. There are so many commonly held believes regarding treatments, which have no scientific or medical validity, but continue to be passed on from individual to individual. More worrying is the possible consequences of trying some of these options. Here are list of common acne treatments that categorically do not work:

1.Household cleaning products, even when diluted, should not be used to treat acne. There can be severe adverse reactions including chemical burns from pursuing this route

Egg whites can be a great cheap replacement for acne treatment. You can use raw egg white as a mask to cleanse your entire face, or use just a dab to reduce swelling and redness on a single blemish. Be sure to use a regular cleanser first, to remove oils and dirt.

2.Similarly cleaning powders are ineffective for acne

A paste of cinnamon and honey can be beneficial as an acne treatment. Combine ground cinnamon with a dab of honey to form a paste and apply it to the acne. Cinnamon is a natural antiseptic and honey is a natural antibiotic. Together they can relieve and cure a breakout.

3.Washing up liquid does not work for acne

One thing that can ensure acne stays away is that you are not trying an acne treatment long enough. Many people are incredibly impatient and expect immediate results. There are no magic cures for acne, so once you start a treatment, give it ample time to work. If you do give it a while and see no improvement, then move on or ask your dermatologist.

4.Home facial saunas will do nothing for your acne, but will certainly aggravate, already sensitive skin

Sometimes natural skin care remedies can be used in the place of strong ointments for skin care. Lemons are a great natural acne treatment. Lemons act as an astringent that can shrink acne due to its high acid level. It can also reduce oil levels in the skin. Just apply lemon juice to the skin and let it work for 15 minutes, then wash off, and you'll see effective results.

5.Sticky tape left on the skin overnight and removed in the morning will certainly remove dead skin cells and excess oil, but is likely to damage the sensitive skin, and may cause an allergy to the glue

Benzoyl peroxide cream or gel applied directly onto the affected skin twice a day is a proven acne treatment. Benzoyl peroxide prevents dead skin cells blocking hair follicles and kills bacteria on the skin that can cause blocked follicles to become infected. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide makes skin more sensitive to ultra-violet light, so during treatment you should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

6.Prolonged exposure to the sun or using a sun bed will not help your acne, and can be dangerous if you are also taking oral medication of certain types. For example taking certain antibiotics in tablet form, will make your skin highly sensitive to sun light

For high-powered acne treatment, try adding the "super food" maca to your diet. Maca is a Peruvian root that contains a large number of nutrients and vitamins, including fatty acids, amino acids, magnesium, iron, iodine, and calcium. The combined power of these components is thought to help regulate hormones and promote a healthy body, including healthy skin and nails. Maca often comes in powdered form and is taken as a supplement, but it can also be found as a juice or an extract.

7.Sudocrem is an excellent treatment for nappy rash, but highly ineffective for acne, primarily because it contains a mixture of greases and oils which are bad for acne

Don't forget to moisturize your skin if you suffer from acne. Most acne treatment creams contain strong ingredients that can sometimes cause red patches and dryness. There are a number of moisturizers available for all skin types. If your skin is particularly oily, choose an oil-free moisturizer. For sensitive skin, go with something that is fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic. If you are using an acne treatment cream, avoid any moisturizer that contains ingredients that exfoliate the skin, such as alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid. It may further irritate your skin.

8.Taking high doses of vitamin A or B will not directly help your acne, and may cause other side-effects

If you have oily skin and are prone to frequent acne breakouts, choose a foundation that contains the acne treatment, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid will help dry out some of the oil on your skin that can lead to blemishes and breakouts. Be careful not to combine a salicylic acid foundation with a salicylic acid treatment, however, or you could over-dry your skin and that could lead to further issues.

9.Squeezing your spots is universally not recommended in combating acne. Doing so will prolong and spread the acne to other parts of the affected area

If you are using an acne treatment on your blemishes, make sure to put the product on both your face and your neck. This technique ensures that you are treating any area that could potentially be problematic for your skin. It will also keep your current situation from worsening.

There are many other ‘not recommended’ acne treatment regimes, many of which will worsen an already difficult condition. Avoid these shortcuts and stick with a programme overseen by your medical professional, or one which is based on solid scientific and medical evidence. If you do this, you'll succeed in overcoming your acne condition.

Acne and its Treatment

Acne is a menace. However, it’s not something that cannot be tackled. There are loads of acne skin care products around. We can classify acne skin care products into 3 broad categories –

1. Preventive or general acne skin care products

A honey face mask can be used to help clear up acne breakouts and other skin problems. Simply mix together a paste of honey, milk, plain yogurt, and lemon juice, apply to the face, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Many people swear by the honey face mask as an acne treatment.

2. Over-the-counter, specialised acne skin care products

A paste of cinnamon and honey can be beneficial as an acne treatment. Combine ground cinnamon with a dab of honey to form a paste and apply it to the acne. Cinnamon is a natural antiseptic and honey is a natural antibiotic. Together they can relieve and cure a breakout.

3. On-prescription acne skin care products.

One thing that can ensure acne stays away is that you are not trying an acne treatment long enough. Many people are incredibly impatient and expect immediate results. There are no magic cures for acne, so once you start a treatment, give it ample time to work. If you do give it a while and see no improvement, then move on or ask your dermatologist.

The general acne skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne. In the real sense, these acne skin care products are just those that should anyway be part of your daily routine. However, some of these are more oriented to act like an acne skin care product. These acne skin care products act against the causes of acne e.g. limiting the production of sebum/oil and preventing clogging of skin pores. Basically, these acne skin care products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and hence hamper the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.

Sometimes natural skin care remedies can be used in the place of strong ointments for skin care. Lemons are a great natural acne treatment. Lemons act as an astringent that can shrink acne due to its high acid level. It can also reduce oil levels in the skin. Just apply lemon juice to the skin and let it work for 15 minutes, then wash off, and you'll see effective results.

Then there are specialised acne skin care products that are available over-the-counter i.e. without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these acne skin care products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne). You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it.  Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popular as acne skin care products. You might have to try a few, before you zero-in on the acne skin care product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist.

Benzoyl peroxide cream or gel applied directly onto the affected skin twice a day is a proven acne treatment. Benzoyl peroxide prevents dead skin cells blocking hair follicles and kills bacteria on the skin that can cause blocked follicles to become infected. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide makes skin more sensitive to ultra-violet light, so during treatment you should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment. Dermatologist could also suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules.  However, never try to squeeze or do this by yourself, it can lead to permanent damage of your skin.  Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases.

For high-powered acne treatment, try adding the "super food" maca to your diet. Maca is a Peruvian root that contains a large number of nutrients and vitamins, including fatty acids, amino acids, magnesium, iron, iodine, and calcium. The combined power of these components is thought to help regulate hormones and promote a healthy body, including healthy skin and nails. Maca often comes in powdered form and is taken as a supplement, but it can also be found as a juice or an extract.

So, with all those acne skin care products, tackling acne is not that difficult.