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 Steps To Clearer Skin

Well, I’m writing this because I know there are millions of people out there with an acne problem that seems to not go away. Yes, if you’re like me you have tried all of the popular products. But, what if I told you that in order to have clear skin you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars every month. Actually, you may not have to spend any money.

So, with all that said here is my simple 6 Steps To Clearer Skin (Yes, this is what I am doing to help my skin clear):

If you are interested in having clear skin, consider watching your consumption of dairy and animal products. Many vegans have spectacularly clear skin, seeming to glow from within. Others who struggle with acne have found success when they refrain from dairy. So try cutting back on the dairy, eggs, and meat, and see if your skin doesn't improve.

1. Drink lots of purified water. Look, many of us with acne problems continue to drinks all of these sodas that have a lot of acid, colors, etc. Soda can really mess up the face. Leave all sodas and other drinks on the market alone and stick to only purified water. Try these waters - Poland Springs, Volvic, Penta (expensive), Smart Water, or Dasani. Water does wonders to the body!

Keep yourself hydrated to help with acne breakouts. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to maintain clear skin. Water flushes out the toxins in your body, which also includes your skin. Not only will your skin be free from acne-causing toxins, but it will be able to retain the correct amount of moisture, to give it a healthier glow.

2. Drink lots of Green Tea (at least 1 to 2 times a day). Green Tea has many antioxidants that will help in decreasing your acne problems. Try purchasing the Celestial Seasonings Green Tea.

If you are currently using products to help with the treatment of acne, remember to take into account the frequency of your application. Excessive application of acne products can actually exacerbate the problem, causing more acne in place of the clear skin you are trying to achieve. Follow the instructions, and with patience you will be on your way to better skin.


3. Eliminate any and all fried foods or greasy foods from your diet. Yes, I know many dermatologists will disagree with this. What I have found is that when I stopped eating fried or greasy foods my face automatically started clearing and improving to the point where I was receiving compliments almost everyday. Fried food carries too much grease that can cause big pimples to form in your face. Also many fast food places use old grease over and over again. Old or reused grease is one big block in your way if you’re trying to get clear skin. Not Good!

Consider using supplements to help with your acne problem. Despite our best intentions, we do not always get the vitamins that we need for clear skin because of a variety of factors. Take the time to research supplements that have been known to help individuals with acne and give one of them a try.

4. Eat a lot of vegetables (raw organic baby spinach is wonderful) and fruits everyday. Yeah I know you heard this before, but some of you are still not doing it. Vegetables and fruits alone. Many vegetables and fruits have antioxidants and vitamins that can help in healing and clearing the skin.

During the course of the day, try to maximize your fruit and vegetable intake to control acne. Vegetables are great for your skin and can supply your body with the nutrients necessary to eliminate free radicals internally. Complement your breakfast, lunch or dinner with an infusion of fruits or vegetables for clear skin.

5. Use pure vitamin E oil (use the Nature’s Gate Brand) for your face. I am telling you, it will make your look good in about two to three months. Vitamin E oil has all the healing and antioxidant properties to help in clearing your skin. Apply to your face every night before going to bed.

If you want to get clear skin and feel your best during the day, try to get eight hours of sleep at the minimum. Sleep is essential for healthy skin, as it helps to replenish your body with the nutrients that it lost during the day, while reducing stress and anxiety.

6. Eliminate all stress. I know for some, stress can result in many breakouts on the face. Some individuals are not good at dealing with stress.  You know what, let the stress go!

Clean laundry can help you get rid of acne. Seriously! If you use the same face cloth every time you wash your face, for example, you are just spreading bacteria back over your pores. The same goes for your clothing as a pimple can pop at any time and then spread the infection all over clear skin.

For clear skin, it is very important that you go to sleep with a clean face. Girls who fall asleep in make-up are very likely to experience an acne break-out not long afterwards. The make-up traps oils within the pores, which later turn into pimples. If you wash your face before going to bed, the oils in your skin will be able to leave naturally, and you will be less prone to break-outs.

Enjoy these steps and take your time. Give yourself  3 to 6 months to see actual improvements in your skin. For these steps to work properly, please add each step to your daily routine. Each step must be performed on a daily basis. Consult your local dermatologist if you have any worries.

Prevent Acne at All Age

From sweet 15 to fabulous 41 and beyond, 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 condition, and some people continue to be affected into their forties and fifties.

“It’s important to remember that acne has both internal and external causes,” says Amy Baker, founder of Nature’s Cure, an innovative health and beauty products company. “However, there are some basic precautions you can take to help prevent breakouts.”

Here are some tips from Baker for people of any age who want to keep their skin clear:

To prevent acne, you need to make sure that your face is clean, but do not over-clean. Many people think that acne is caused by dirt and therefore you should scrub and wash your face more than twice a day. This is untrue. A gentle facial cleansing one or possibly two times a day with a gentle soap and clean water is all you need for clearer skin.

    * Don’t pick, pop or squeeze, or otherwise mess with your skin. Squeezing blemishes or whiteheads can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse.

    * Wash your pillowcase often and always use clean face towels. Dirty towels and pillowcases can harbor bacteria and germs that can make acne worse.

Cutting down on sugary, fatty, or otherwise unhealthy foods is one way to prevent acne. Acne breakouts are often the result of greasy, dirty skin, which clogs the pores on your face. Reducing your consumption of greasy and sugary foods leads to better health and a decreased risk of acne breakouts.

    * Be sure to pull your hair away from your skin when you sleep.

    * Try to shower as soon as possible after your workout since sweat combined with skin oils can trap dirt and bacteria in your pores.

Add a toner to your skincare routine to prevent acne breakouts. In addition to your normal washing routine, adding a toner after cleansing can help balance the Ph levels of your skin. This can prevent your skin drying out or becoming too oily, and will stop breakouts before they occur.

    * Don’t go to bed with makeup on. It can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.

    * Make sure to clean cosmetic brushes regularly in soapy water and throw out old, contaminated makeup.

Try to get out more to prevent acne. Try taking relaxing outdoor walks, just avoid overexposure to the sun. Skin requires vitamin D, which you can get from the sun, but overexposure can be harmful and irritating to your acne. The fresh air can also let your skin absorb more oxygen, which can help it to repair itself.

    * Use topical treatments, such as Nature's Cure Vanishing Cream, anywhere that you tend to get breakouts -- don't just spot-treat existing pimples. The pore-clogging process happens two to three weeks before any blemish becomes visible on the skin.

For a more complete treatment option, there is an innovative over-the-counter remedy 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 treatment includes all natural tablets to rebalance the body, and a cream that works to clear up existing pimples at the same time,” she adds.

A great way to minimize and prevent acne is by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Keeping your skin hydrated will allow the dead skin to be removed and will unclog your pores. Try to drink at least eight full glasses of water a day, to keep the acne away.

    * Exercising regularly can help reduce stress and it increases blood circulation and oxygen penetration to the skin, which may help to prevent acne.

    * Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to help "detoxify" the body from the inside out.

A great way to prevent acne is by avoiding contact with your face while your hands are dirty. Unless it is absolutely necessary, make sure that you do not touch your face with unclean hands. Bacteria and dirt from your dirty hands clog your pores and eventually form pimples or acne later on.

By taking these simple precautions, most people can reduce the occurrence of acne. There are also a variety of products available to help in healing or preventing breakouts. However, consumers should be careful about what they choose to use.

“Most acne prevention products either don’t work very well or have a litany of side effects,” says Baker. “Unlike other options, Nature’s Cure is a homeopathic treatment that 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.” The formula 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.

A good natural way to prevent acne is the old fashioned rule of drinking plenty of water. Water helps your skin by helping rid your body of toxins. Toxins are often credited with skin conditions such as acne. Drinking plenty of water will prevent toxins from poisoning your system and help give you a nice complexion as well as a hydrated one.

Nature’s Cure also offers 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.

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.