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AcneZine
Understand Acne

 The REAL Truth About Acne  

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Get Rid of Pimples

Do you dread looking in the mirror each day? Are there times when you avoid going out in public? Do your breakouts get worse each day – never really healing? Is your face painful to touch because of swelling caused by pimples? At some point in our lives, most people want to know how to get rid of pimples fast.

If you are searching for natural cures for pimples or even otc medicines, you aren’t alone. Invariably, at one time or another, acne hits virtually everyone. Having acne truly has an impact on young and old alike.

Adult and teen acne may be caused by many circumstances. Hormones and diet are often thought to be the main culprits. Stress, as well as a lack of proper vitamins, may play a part in whether we have pimples or acne too. The cleansing of ones skin is a huge factor as we must try to keep our pores open and clean. Of course, the real reason may be a mix of all of these factors and more.

Here’s what we do know. Pimples are inflamed skin lesions. They are caused by clogged pores. Our pores are connected to oil glands. If these oil glands get blocked by dirt, the oily substance, called sebum, clogs our pores. Pimples develop when clogged pores, usually blackheads or whiteheads, become infected. Sometimes our pores become clogged because of a build up of dead skin cells. Avoid using oily pore clogging products. Over production of the sebaceous gland and bacteria accumulation can cause pimples and acne also.

Popping a pimple is not a wise choice. This can spread the bacteria and can make a pimple last even longer. Over-washing skin that is infected with acne can cause more pimples because the glands may produce more sebum.

In the future, I will be discussing acne and in general how to get rid of pimples fast.

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Natural Cures To Help Get Rid Of Pimples Fast

Trying various natural cures for acne may be of interest to you if you experience side effects from either oral or over the counter acne treatments. There are many to choose from. I will list these natural cures alphabetically.

  • Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is a species of a succulent plant. It is often used in oral and topical treatments to reduce inflammation and to stimulate healing. Aloe vera has been used for centuries to help heal burned or damaged skin. Many products in the market today contain aloe vera. You can find it in soaps, tissues, body washes, lotions and shampoos.
  • Azelaic Acid. Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid found naturally in rye, wheat and barley. It is also produced by yeasts naturally found on the skin. It is effective in treating mild to moderate acne. It works against the bacteria that causes acne and can help with the renewal of cells in the follicles of the skin. Topical creams should contain no more than 20% of azelaic acid as it can be an irritant.
  • Bioflavinoids. Bioflavinoids are the natural pigments in fruits and vegetables. They are antioxidants used to help prevent skin damage. There are well over 800 different bioflavinoids. They are often used in oral acne treatments but can be a natural acne cure if one consumes a lot of fruits and vegetables.  Cherries, grapefruits, oranges, lemons, grapes, black currants, apricots, blackberries, cantaloupes and broccoli are some of the foods high in bioflavinoids.
  • Echinacea. Echinacea is the beautiful purple coneflower. These days the herb is used in preparations that fight colds and the flu. Echinacea is beneficial in treating skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. It can help reduce clogged pores to get rid of blackheads and the bacteria that promotes pimples.
  • Plant Oils. Many oils are beneficial to the skin. Olive, primrose oil, flax seed oil, and wheat germ oil are just of the few oils used in many topical acne treatments. They stimulate healing by the essential fatty acids they contain. They give the topical products the consistency it needs and also help to dissolve clogged pores.

  • Salicylic Acid. Salicylic acid comes from the bark of willow trees. It has long been considered a medicinal plant. It is a beta hydroxy acid. This ingredient is also used to help dissolve the buildup in clogged pores. It is probably one of the most used ingredients in todays battle against pimples and other major skin disorders. It can cause minor irritation to the skin so it should be tested before it is applied to the whole face.
  • Sulphur. Sulphur is a mineral and it is present in our cells. The bodies natural healing abilities are stimulated by sulphur. It is used as an ingredient to help dry up pimples. Sulphur helps reduce the production of sebum which can cause clogged pores.
  • Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is an essential oil from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant from the east coast of Australia. It is effective on anything from dandruff to acne and blackheads. It is capable of penetrating the skin to help disinfect and has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, C, D, E and all the B vitamins are extremely helpful in building our immune systems and regenerating healthy cells. Zinc and selenium and sulphur are important minerals with zinc being considered one of the most natural acne cures that help get rid of pimples.

These are just some of the natural treatments that can be used to get rid of pimples fast.

To Pop Or Not To Pop – That Is The Question

 

Well should you or shouldn’t you? The answer to this questions varies from situation to situation. In most cases, the answer would emphatically be NO. There are times when popping or squeezing a pimple is a good option.

How do you determine this? The answer being: how big is the pustule? If you are faced with a tiny, pinhead sized pimple, that baby is just asking to be squeezed. You can do this very effectively. Make sure your hands are clean. Wash the pimple gently. Steaming your face over warm water for a few minutes is beneficial. In many cases, if the pimple is that small, it will break open on it’s own. Boil a needle in water to sterilize it first. If you choose not to do this, you may spread the infection. Your other option is to squeeze it between very clean fingers. Once the pimple is drained, swab the area with a good disinfectant. Peroxide is good or even a treatment with benzoyl peroxide works well.

However, if your pimple is the size of a mountain, please leave it alone. If your pimple has not come to a head, please leave it alone. Squeezing these two kinds of pimples may cause scarring of the skin tissue. While you may be able to drain the pimple, you are most likely spreading the very bacteria that caused the pimple in the first place. The pimple will definitely take longer to heal. Dermatologist never recommend popping or squeezing pimples.

If you are continuously breaking out with pimples, try to find out why. Read up on it as there are many attributing factors why some people are plagued with pimples. Getting rid of pimples as fast as possible is important for self esteem. There are many over the counter medicines that can be really effective in controlling acne. When I see a person with acne, my heart goes out to them. People need to feel good about themselves so don’t struggle with this alone. There is help out there

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Some Of the Best OTC Acne Treatments

 

Before spending tons of money on over the counter medicines, learn about their ingredients and what they can do for you. At the first sign of a pimple forming, treatment should start. Of course there are many natural remedies for treating pimples. If those don’t work for you, resorting to over the counter remedies is your next step. We will discuss the following ingredients commonly found in otc acne treatments and what they do for pimples.

1. Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound. This ingredient is found in many otc acne medicines. It was developed as an acne product in the 1920’s. Strengths vary from 2.5% up to 10%. Benzoyl peroxide supplies oxygen to the skin thereby not allowing acne bacteria to thrive. It is a mild drying agent so if your skin is sensitive, stay with the milder strength. Using benzoyl peroxide in an antiseptic decreases inflammation on the surface of the skin.

2. Salicylic Acid. Salicylic acid is an beta hydroxy acid and is a key ingredient for many acne products. It helps pores from clogging up by causing skin cells to shed more rapidly. It is an exfoliant and is especially helpful in the treatment of acne because of its ability to penetrate the follicle. This in turn reduces the number pore blockages and blemish breakouts. Typically, otc medicines containing salicylic acid come in strengths ranging from .5% to 2%. Some side effects are dryness, peeling and flaking of the skin.

3. Sulphur. Sulphur has been used to treat skin problems for decades. Sulphur is an effective treatment of inflamed pimples. It is usually found in soaps. It is used as a topical cleansing product to dissolve comedones (whitehead or blackhead) and dry up the skin. It should be noted that it can sometimes cause too much peeling and irritate the skin.
 
4. Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is best known as a fruit acid or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Glycolic acid is an exfoliating agent which when placed on the skin, breaks down the “glue” that holds dead skin to the surface. Glycolic acid can be in a cream or gel and is used to remove dead, flaky skin. This results in a much smoother skin surface. The best percentage of glycolic acid to use is controversial and skin care experts highly recommend using sunscreen if you are using glycolic acid. Try to find glycolic acid products with a concentration ranging from 8 to 10%. Glycolic acid is often combined with salicylic acid. This acid is generally used on people who want to get rid of acne scarring as it resurfaces the skin.

5. Resorcinol. Resorcinol is often used in combination with sulphur. It breaks down rough, hard skin and is a harsh chemical that should not be used with astringents. Resorcinol is used to treat other skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. Some medications will contain alcohol and/or resorcinol also. It is present in over-the-counter topical acne treatments at 2% or less concentration, and in prescription treatments at higher concentrations.

6. Vitamins and minerals. Both oral and topical acne treatment drugs often contain vitamins or minerals. Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E, folic acid, beta-carotene, copper, zinc and selenium are working tools in the body. They may build up immunities and help in the regeneration from damages caused by acne. In addition, many of these substances are anti-oxidants that protect the skin against damages. Vitamin E and A also help to reduce inflammation. Zinc seems to be the most effective mineral for acne treatment.

These are the most common ingredients used in over the counter medicines in the fight against acne.

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The Fastest Ways To Get Rid Of Pimples

 

Truth be known, acne can be a painful, disfiguring skin disorder that you want to avoid at all costs. It knows no boundaries, age, race or even gender. Not only that, but acne or pimples arrive at different times and for different reasons in people’s lives. For some acne will be a lifetime battle. It has the power to cause extreme anxiety to the point of making one stay indoors and not avoid socializing. Having pimples can truly impact a life forever, especially if scarring occurs. Acne can take time to heal so it is imperative to learn how to get rid of pimples fast.

For most people, acne hits during puberty. The imbalance of hormones may cause the sebaceous glands to over produce sebum. Beside the sebum, also contributing to clogged pores can be dead skin cells that do not properly slough. Eventually bacteria forms in the pore causing a blemish. Other factors of acne may be genetics, stress, diet and hygiene.

There are many ways to try and treat acne. First, avoid touching your face as much as possible. Keep your hands clean and change your pillowcase often.  Cleansing the skin gently and only twice a day is important because over washing the skin can do two things. It can stimulate the oil glands thereby producing more sebum and if acne is already present it can lead to the spreading of bacteria. Try to use a soap or face wash that contains green tea, chamomile, tea tree oil, and aloe vera.

Good ingredients in over the counter medicines would be salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide (a 5 to 10% solution is best) and sulphur. Sulphur is an ingredient that dries out the sebum made from the sebaceous glands. It can be very effect in removing whiteheads and blackheads. Sulphur can be harsh on the skin and may cause peeling. Sulphur is usually found in a product with resorcinol. Resorcinol is used to treat other skin disorders such as eczema because it breaks down rough, hard skin. Many otc medicines are accompanied with side effects. These include, but are not limited to, redness, drying or flaking of the skin, and itchiness.

Change your diet eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.Cut down on consumption of refined sugars and fats. Drink plenty of water to help flush our systems. Vitamins and minerals suck as Vitamins A, B5 and E help to prevent acne. Vitamin D is important and we can get a healthy dose by being in the sun for 15 minutes a day. Zinc is also known to minimize break outs. If otc medicines do not appeal to you, try applying apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to your face. Both of these ingredients act as astringents to take away unwanted oil. The best thing is usually they are found in every kitchen.

Lastly, I do not recommend popping or squeezing pimples. This not only can spread the bacteria causing more infections but usually scarring of the skin is the result of popping pimples. Popping pimples may seem like the fastest way to get rid of pimples but it can only serve to aggravate the condition. If there is swelling due to having a large pimple, place an ice cube on the pimple for up to 2 minutes and then take a break. You can repeat as often as necessary.

Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with beautiful, clear skin. What you have learned in this article will help you achieve a healthy complexion. Take the necessary steps to avoid pimples altogether.

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Best Natural Cures For Pimples

Trying to treat acne naturally is a popular choice. Consider the fact that many of the natural treatments today can be found in your own kitchen. Other products can easily be purchased in grocery stores or natural food stores. For most people, trying a natural remedy to cure their acne is inexpensive and without side effects. Always be careful about the methods and products used to cleanse your skin. Consider the following in curing your acne naturally.
 
Today, we can find soaps that contain aloe vera, tea tree oil, olive oil, green tea and many others. These ingredients have become well known for their healing properties. For instance, green tea extract possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera is known to be a soothing ingredient even helping sunburn. Soaps containing sulphur can help to dry out the sebaceous glands but don’t overdo it. Over washing the face can lead to the sebaceous gland producing more sebum and in turn repeating the vicious cycle of oily skin. Vinegar can be an excellent cleanser when it is mixed with a little salt and massaged lightly on the acne or pimples.
 
We also know that certain juices can be excellent astringents.  Lemon juice used sparingly can help reduce oil on the surface of the skin. A mixture of one part of honey to two parts of lemon juice can be massaged on the affected areas with a cotton ball. Papaya juice can also be applied to acne for a refreshing treatment. I have read instances where mint juice is applied overnight also. 
 
Some of the best natural cures for pimples are ingredients from the kitchen or bathroom. These can be used to make a paste. A mixture of toothpaste and milk of magnesia can be dabbed on the skin for a mask. Leave on until paste dries and then wash off with tepid water, scrubbing gently. Magnesium helps to regulate sebum and can be quite drying. Only use twice a week on dry skin but it can be used almost daily if you have oily skin. Milk of Magnesia can reduce oil production and usually takes  the redness pimples cause out of the equation. It is also not a very expensive product and is easy to find. If you don’t have Milk of Magnesia, try calamine lotion with the toothpaste instead. You can apply this mixture to the pimple and leave on overnight.
 
Always be careful about the methods and ingredients used in curing acne naturally. Choose on the side of gentle cleansers and never scrub too harshly. Remember not to over wash the skin. Pay attention to your diet making sure to get lots of minerals and vitamins like B, C, and E. Be sure to always drink lots of water.
 
As a mother of four sons, I have searched for the best natural cures for pimples. These remedies have worked for many people. Learn how to achieve a clear complexion today and always.

 

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Find Out About Adult Acne Treatments

 
Regardless of age, acne is a force to reckon with. Acne can afflict over 20% of adult males compared to 40% of adult females. Even though the real cause of adult acne has yet to be determined, it is generally thought that acne’s related root cause is hormones. Teenagers and adults can sometimes face depression and severe anxiety when dealing with acne. Adult acne is much more prevalent than people believe. Read the following to learn what causes acne and how to find adult acne treatments.
 
Breakouts of pimples or acne is a direct result of the creation of hormones, referred to as androgens. These androgens activate the sebaceous glands which causes them to expand. When sebum production increases, dead skin cells stick together and clog hair follicles. This clogging of the follicle creates the perfect condition for bacteria to thrive. This in turn leads to inflammation of the surrounding skin and follicle. Generally a pore could be clogged for weeks before a visible blemish occurs.
 
A simple lesion can be called a whitehead or a blackhead. A whitehead or comedo is basically an extended hair follicle that contains bacteria and oil. A comedo that comes to the surface and breaks open is called a blackhead since it appears black. It is black in color but not because of dirt. Both blackheads and whiteheads can remain on the skin for a long time. Nodules are solid lesions buried deep inside the skin. They are often large and painful. Papules are inflamed lesions that appear as pink bumps on the skin and can be sensitive when touched. Pustules are inflamed lesions that are filled with pus. Cysts are deep, inflamed and pus-laden lesions. Cysts often cause much pain and tend to scar skin tissue.
 
Besides hormones, another main cause of acne is food that contains fat and processed sugar. Cut down on your intake of fat and sugar. Vitamins and minerals are extremely useful in the prevention of acne. Vitamins A, B5 and E go a long way in reducing and even preventing acne. Zinc is a helpful mineral that can be taken as a supplement.
 
Some other ways to treat adult acne is to touch your face less often. Remember to wash your hands prior to touching your face. Bacteria promotes infection and then acne can spread. Wash your face regularly with mild soap that is medicated and be sure to rinse thoroughly. Try to shower immediately after working out because sweat and oil in your skin may clog your pores. Wash your pillowcase frequently. For woman, remember to clean cosmetic brushes and sponges in soapy water often.
 
Without a doubt, there are many adult acne treatments available. Consider sticking with one over the counter medicine for at least 6 weeks using it regularly. Most doctors say you should stay with a product for two to three months to chart the effectiveness of the medicine. Consult a dermatologist if you aren’t having success in treating your adult acne.

 

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At Home Remedies for Curing Acne Naturally

Here it comes again. That soreness on your face. You just know a pimple is right around the corner. In fact, it will most likely rear it’s ugly head by morning. There are methods you can take to help cure your acne naturally. Before spending tons of money on over the counter medicines, try some of these remedies.
 
At the first sign of a pimple forming, treatment should start. Washing your face with a mild antibacterial soap is the first step. Good soaps to use may contain one or more of the following ingredients: tea tree oil, green tea, aloe vera, and chamomile. After your skin is cleansed, dab a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water on the offending areas with a swab.  Hydrogen peroxide will kill the bacteria and should be applied on the pimple for up to a minute at a time. You can use a cotton ball or a swab and do this until it is healed. Tea tree oil is a great antiseptic that could be used instead of the peroxide.
 
Placing an ice pack on the pimple can reduce the swelling. Try doing this for 2 minutes and then take a break. Repeat as often as necessary. Masks applied to the face until they dry are very effective treatments in curing acne naturally. Try mixing baking soda with water and apply to the face. Rinse off after the mask dries. Applying an egg white mask can dry out the pimple. Leave this on for 20 minutes before rinsing off. A good oatmeal mask can be made by putting oats in a blender and adding a little apple cider vinegar and apply to the pimples for 20 minutes before washing off.
 
Some very good herbal treatments that can be used to cure acne naturally are chamomile, lavender, burdock root and echinacea. These herbs are usually very soothing and calming to pimples. Because they reduce swelling, they help to unclog pores. Another natural treatment is acidophilus. This good bacteria dwells in our intestinal track. Acidophilus aids in fighting against bad bacteria that can be harmful to your health. Acidophilus is a product that is taken orally and helps to kill the acne causing bacteria.
 
In order to be acne free, these four things need to happen in our skin care regimen. First, we must decrease the sebum production from our sebaceous glands. Second, we have to reduce acne bacteria. Then we must normalize the shedding of the skin. Lastly, eliminate the inflammation caused by acne. Curing acne naturally can be a hit or miss proposition. Homemade acne treatments can be safer, cheaper and more effective ways to deal with pimples. Following a procedure using only tested products should help you find a suitable cure much sooner.
If these natural cures are not effective in treating your acne, a dermatologist may be your next step. Mild acne may respond to some of these treatments. Don’t be afraid to seek out some over the counter medicines as they may be the answer to your problem.
 
 

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Popping or Squeezing Pimples

So you have pimples!
 
Oftentimes, there is a natural urge to pop or squeeze the pimples on our faces. It does relieve built up pressure but it is most likely doing more harm than good. Most people at one time or another have popped pimples. Sometimes it is just too hard to resist that pustule on your face. Especially if a pimple occurs the day before a big event. Pimples usually appear at the most inopportune times. Getting married, a first date, the night before graduation pictures are taken, and lo and behold a pimple makes it’s grand entrance.
 
We believe that by squeezing or popping the offending pimple, it will heal faster. While it is true that the smallest surface pimple can probably be popped easily, large and inflamed pimples that come to a head should not be squeezed. This can cause the actual infection to be pushed further down the layers of our skin resulting in the spreading of infection. We then can see a spreading of acne which will take a lot longer to heal. Popping pimples can worsen the condition by scarring your skin.
 
Pimples and/or acne tend to develop during high stress times. While stress does not cause pimples, it can change our hormone levels. Getting rid of pimples fast is usually the main objective. No doubt that pimples and acne are an eyesore and this is usually the number one reason for popping pimples. The urge to squeeze the pimple becomes overwhelming each time we look in the mirror. Sometimes it actually appears to be growing. We think that if we drain the pimple, it would naturally heal quicker. This is far from the truth.
 
Truly, popping pimples may seem like the best route to take but it can really aggravate the condition. If you think about it, the skin where the pimple is popped, will be an open wound. This in no way solves the very problem of pimples and acne. In fact, when pimples are squeezed, it can spread the bacteria causing more infections. Dermatologist never recommend the popping of pimples. It simply does not lead to getting rid of pimples altogether.
 
The one thing you generally want to prevent is damaging the skin. Scarring is commonly caused by popping pimples. Treating scarring is more difficult than trying to prevent pimples in the first place. Learning proper skin care is easy. There are many otc medicines in the market today. Being vigilant in caring for your skin can keep dead skin cells, oil, dirt and bacteria from building up.

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Best OTC Medicines For Acne

 

Having acne or pimples these days is not as difficult as in times past. Don’t get me wrong. Acne is a huge problem for teens today as always. I think parents are much more involved in helping their teens overcome this unsightly condition. Millions of adults and teens suffer from this number one skin disorder. Nothing is more upsetting than waking up one morning to find that pimples have invaded your face. The initial response is to start popping pimples which usually results in the spreading of the bacteria and possible scarring. There is a multitude of over the counter (otc) medicines widely used in acne treatment today.

Learning proper skin care goes a long way in acne treatment. Touching of the face should be limited greatly. Make sure hands are clean and wash them with soap and water before touching your face. There are many products out there that contain benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is found in some bar soaps and face washes. Many creams or gels contain this ingredient also. Typically, a 5% solution containing benzoyl peroxide is sufficient. It is considered a very effective ingredient in treating mild acne.

Look for products that contain salicylic acid too. Take note to read the otc medicine’s ingredients to ascertain which product you think would work. This may be a trial and error period for you. In addition to helping heal the skin, salicylic acid aids in unclogging pores by eliminating the build up of dead skin cells.

Otc medicines can also contain sulphur. Sulphur is used in a combination with other ingredients partially due to the fact that it does not heal acne alone. Sulphur is used to dry out the sebum made from the sebaceous gland. It is effective in removing blackheads and whiteheads. It also has a strong odor that is generally unpleasant. Since sulphur is strong, it is important to be aware that the skin may peel. Sulphur can be too harsh a product for some people so be aware which otc medicines contain this ingredient.

Otc medicines come in lotions and creams. They can also be found in pads, face and body washes and gels. All the above mentioned treatments will be used in some of these products. Some medications will contain alcohol and/or resorcinol. Resorcinol is often used in combination with sulphur. It breaks down rough, hard skin and is a harsh chemical that should not be used with astringents. Resorcinol is used to treat other skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.

Glycolic acid is best known as a fruit acid or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Glycolic acid is an exfoliating agent which when placed on the skin, breaks down the “glue” that holds dead skin to the surface. Glycolic acid can be in a lotion or gel and is used to remove dead, flaky skin. This results in a much smoother skin surface. The best percentage of glycolic acid to use is controversial and skin care experts highly recommend using sunscreen if you are using glycolic acid. Try to find glycolic acid products with a concentration ranging from 8 to 10%. Glycolic acid is often combined with salicylic acid.

Not everyone is blessed with beautiful skin. What you have learned in this article will help you achieve a healthy, clear complexion. Find products with the best otc medicine ingredients to start your skin on the road to recovery.

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