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.

4 Tips on How to Treat Adult Acne

Lots of people are unaware of the fact that adult acne exists and they seem not to know how to treat adult acne. People have this misconception that acne only happens during teenage years and gradually wears off as they age. For most people, this fact may be true but it is important to note that acne does not start during teenage years only. However, it is important to note that there are a significant number of adults that experience such condition.

There are lots of reasons why a person develops adult acne. But, it is important to take note that majority of the people that suffers from this condition are those who also experienced acne problems during their teens. It is also important to remember that the treatment for this is not the same when you were in your teens since your skin is already different from how it used to be. Because of this, here are some tips on how to treat adult acne.

Birth control can both be a cause and a preventative treatment for acne. For many adult women, going on the pill is to treat their adult acne. The pills contain hormones that can help the female's own hormones find balance and some get clearer skin out of this. Many times though, when they get off of the pill, this can cause they're hormones to go haywire and they can start breaking out again.

1.    First, buy a reputable over the counter acne treatment product. OTC products could easily treat mild acne breakouts. Nowadays, there are lots of acne treatments that are available in the market. But, you need to be aware if the product is safe to use or not. Some products were proven ineffective and might have harsh elements that could further damage your skin. If you were afraid to buy random products, it would be best to consult your dermatologist. This will ensure that the product suits your skin type as well. Or, you may ask for recommendations from friends and family members who encountered a similar case of acne like yours. Or, you may do your own research on the product’s way of how to treat adult acne.

If you are having problems with adult acne, try laundering your pillow cases and towels more frequently. Most dermatologists recommend changing your pillowcase once or twice weekly and using a clean towel every day. This is because bacteria and dead skin cells can quickly accumulate on the surface of these fabrics, which can then clog pores and cause acne.

2.    Second, for serious breakout and if OTC products do not seem to work undergo cosmetic procedures in a reputable derma clinic. Cosmetic procedures such as microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing are some of the common procedures how to treat adult acne. Keep in mind that these procedures should be done using clean materials so it would be best to visit a reputable clinic.

Stress is a big cause of acne, especially adult acne. You can control it by knowing what your stress triggers are and learning to control them. If situations cause you high levels of stress find alternative solutions to deal with it.

3.    Third, never squeeze your acne! A lot of adults have this desire to squeeze or prick their zits on their own which could cause further damage due to scars. Never ever do that because squeezing will only push the infection deep into the skin.

If you are an adult and struggle with acne, find ways to relax. Stress can be a significant factor in adult acne. Adopt a relaxing hobby or set aside time to meditate. You will not only be reducing your stress levels, but also removing one of the most significant causes of acne in your life.

4.    Fourth, eat healthy foods. In order to flush away toxins that could cause acne, you need to drink lots of water and eat fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that well-hydrated skin has better chances to rejuvenate rather than dry skin. Also, try to live a healthy lifestyle by having a well-rested body. Keep in mind that stress is one of the causes of acne as well so it really pays if you get your eight-hours worth of sleep per day.

When struggling with acne, try to remember that it is a problem that many people have. Adult acne can be especially trying, as we often do not associate adults with acne. However, if you are prone to acne you will probably have acne throughout your life. Finding a good skin care routine and maintaining a positive attitude when you have acne issues is the key to dealing with the psychological effects acne has on adults.

There are other tips that could help how to treat adult acne but these are some of the basic things that you need to follow. Try one tip after the other and surely, you will be able to find something that will work for you.

Finding the Best Acne Treatment for Your Troubled Skin

Acne causes embarrassment and discouragement for millions of people.  Most are in their teen years, but adults are affected, too.  There are many choices of acne treatment on the market.  Some are well formulated, while others are weak and ineffective.  Finding the best acne treatment for your skin can improve your outlook, and your looks.

The best products for treating your acne are natural, gentle products.  Look for botanical ingredients in the list.  Some herbal ingredients that are healing to blemished skin include sage, yarrow, coltsfoot, wild thyme, horsetail, althea (or marshmallow), and balm mint (or melissa).  Aloe vera is a well known skin healer, and is often included in good acne products.

If you want to achieve acne-free skin, apply tea tree oil in the spots that are acne-prone. Tea tree oil can reduce the oil buildup responsible for your acne without drying skin.

Also valuable in a treatment remedy for acne are certain essential oils.  Some essential oils are harsh for skin.  (None should be used straight, but should always be diluted with a carrier oil!) The best acne treatment products might include oils such as lavender, rose, tangerine, and geranium.  These are not only healing to the skin, but will make the product smell great, too.

Many people are tempted to pop their pimples. When you do decide to pop a pimple, do it with clean hands. Do not neglect your fingernails, either; you want to minimize the risk of introducing more bacteria to the infected pore. Take the utmost amount of care if you must pop them, for best results.

If the product is made with a transdermal system, any vitamins or herbal ingredients will be able to absorb into the skin and treat the acne where it starts.  Some vitamins that might be included in a topical acne treatment include vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and pro vitamin B5.

Resist temptation! Avoid picking at your pimples and do not pop them. Use a treatment cream instead. Picking at acne causes scarring and infections. This can also cause acne scars and skin discolorations.

Just like healthy food for the body, the best acne treatment will provide nourishment and nutrition directly to the skin.  The skin tends to reveal the health of a person.  What shows up on the outside often indicates a deficiency or need on the inside.  Getting a healthy diet can help you overcome your acne, and is a good addition to make to your use of good products.

If you do happen to get a pimple, don't pick at it. If you pick at spots the bacteria can spread, causing more blemishes. If you were to repeatedly pick at skin in the same spot, it could cause skin to break open and scar the spot once it heals.

Even the best products, however, won't clear up that acne if they are used inconsistently.  It's a good idea to get into the routine of taking your vitamin supplements and cleansing your face every day.  Don't let procrastination or disorganization leave you without time for taking care of yourself.  The skin is the largest organ in the body.  It is a major agent in removing toxins from the body.  It needs to be pampered and cared for.

Don't use different acne creams at once. Sometimes people are so desperate to get rid of their acne that they use multiple lotions at once. You will only be over-applying chemicals to your skin and damaging it.

A moisturizer is also an important part of an acne treatment.  Like other components, it needs to be 100% natural, or it can make matters worse by contributing to clogging the pores.  Make sure you take the time to read the label to make sure the ingredients are natural botanicals, nutrients, and healthful oils. 

One of the most effective acne fighters is probably already in your kitchen: garlic. Garlic purges any toxins found in your body. It's easy to incorporate garlic in your diet. Garlic can be spread on many different things including bagels, or it can be juiced into whatever you are eating.

Some people say you should try to use only products on your skin that you would be willing to put in your mouth.  This might not always be the case, since the skin does act like a filter, while absorbing nutrients and other substances.  Still, one should be cautious about using unnatural products.