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By theresa
If you suffer from acne, you are probably wondering if you can still use self-tanning products. During this time of year, many people desire a bronze look, and they use self-tanning products to achieve that. If you suffer from acne, you need to understand some things before you go running out and buying the latest self-tanner.
It may be true that the active ingredients in sunless tannes don’t cause acne. But what about all of the other ingredients. Some sunless tanners ccontain oil and other pore-clogging ingredients. If your skin is prone to acne, these should be avoided. It seems like a paradox though because it’s unsafe to tan the normal way. Even though a tan may temporarily cover the redness of acne, there’s no evidence that having tanned skin helps to clear up acne. People who tan in the sun or in tanning booths or beds run the risk of developing dry, irritated, or even burned skin.
If you suffer from severe acne, such as cysts or nodules, then you probably shouldn’t use a self-tanner at all. If you only get a few pimples from time to time, you can probably use light self-tanning products without increasing your acne breakouts.I looked through hundreds of forums and articles before going out today and purchasing my self tanner because I’m trying to stay away from the sun and people mostly had terrible things to say. They complained of acne and pore blockage etc.
The information on this topic is actually pretty conflicting. While so many people would like to think that self tanners are the cause of their acne it seems that doctors beg to differ. Self-tanners can contain pore-blocking oils, says New York City dermatologist Dennis Gross. To help, “check the label for words like hypoallergenic or noncomedogenic, and choose a light gel instead of a cream formula.”
Another doctor I read speaking on the topic said, “Self tanners themselves do not clog pores however they can be put into formulations that can clog pores,” explains Dr. Doris J. Day, a Manhattan dermatologist. “You should exfoliate before applying to make sure the skin is smooth and the product penetrates evenly, and look for products that say non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic on the label. This means they have been tested to not clog pores. Generally this would be gels, lotions, or wipes. “
There are definitely a few good sunless tanners out there for acne-prone skin. L-Oreal’s Sublime, Bath & Body Works sunless tanner and Sephora’s Glow Fusion have all been reported to work great on acne-prone skin.
If you’re ready to skip laying out but don’t want to give up glowing skin, self-tanners are a great bet. Self-tanners can darken skin for up to a week thanks to dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. If you were to look at commercials, magazine advertisements, and many high society people, you see toned and tanned bodies. However, all of this is merely portraying a false sense of health and beauty. In truth, tanning beds can be very dangerous, causing burns, suppression of immune systems, damage to the cornea, cosmetic and drug-induced photosensitivity, and a higher risk of developing melanoma cancer.
Another important thing to know if that you must exfoliate to get an even tan. It’s not just something people tell you to do– you absolutely MUST to get an even tan. Believe me I’ve been there you don’t want to wind up streaking. Let’s say you have a layer of dirt on your skin. Do you think self tanner will work well if you put it on over it? You’re right, it wouldn’t. On the day you plan to start using the self tanner, take a shower. While you’re in there, exfoliate one more time, it can’t hurt. Before you start, though, you want to be completely dry. So towel off and hang out for a while before using the self tanner.
By Angela
Hitting the gym for a good work out can be great for your mind and your body. When you’re working up a sweat you just feel better; not to mention healthier, but is that sweat helping your acne? A lot of skincare websites seem to believe so.
On the surface, the myth seems to hold some weight. When you sweat, fluid is pushed out of your pores. So in theory, that sweat would take a lot of dirt and debris with it, and thus help clean out your pores. And we all know that cleaner pores mean less acne. However, sweat doesn’t actually clean out your pores and it can fact cause acne to flair up in some people.
Vigorous exercise can also cause an increase in oil production. While this isn’t the case for everyone, typically people who partake in intense work outs three or more times a week will start to see an increase in the oil produced in their pores, which may lead to some acne.
To make matters worse, both the friction and heat your body experiences while you are working out can cause even more acne to flair up. This is especially the case in people who suffer from acne break outs on their body. When you are working out, your whole body heats up, unfortunately, when paired with form fitting clothing friction will occur which can irritate the skin around your shoulders, back, or anywhere that your clothing is not allowing your skin to breath.
So sweating being good for your acne is just another acne myth, and it may in fact be making matters worse. To combat this, be sure to wear loose clothing at the gym. You can also shower immediately after working out to try to combat some of the sweat and oil produced in your glands during your sweat session.
By theresa
Tyra Banks recently spoke out about her experience with an acne treatment gone awry. It seems that no matter how much money skin treatments cost it really had more to do with what the products are comprised of than how much they are as Tyra unfortunately learned the way most of us do, by looking in the mirror. Those same “acne fighting” “anti aging” creams that costs hundreds of dollars may cost you your confidence if not tested beforehand on a little patch of skin. Sorry Tyra, looks like you had to learn the hard way but thanks to your story we wont have to!
Moisturizers are bland, oily substances that are applied to the skin by rubbing. They are used to replace natural skin oils to cover tiny fissures in the skin, and to provide a soothing protective film. By doing this, they slow evaporation of the skin’s moisture, thereby improving the appearance and feel of dry and aging skin. One question is always commonly asked. If somebody has very oily skin, should they be using any type of moisturizers or lotions. If your skin is already oily, it’s already not dry enough to be using moisturizers and lotion. These products will make your face appear to be even more oily. You will want to avoid moisturizers and lotions unless you use and acne pads and they start to dry your face out to the point where it’s dry instead of oily. If you notice there is too much oil on your face you will want to wash your face off with something that remove the oil. Soap is not necessarily the best thing to use.
Getting the right moisturizer can make all the difference for an acne-prone complexion. First and foremost, make sure any moisturizer you buy is oil-free. A moisturizer with an oil base will indeed cause acne problems. However, there are more moisturizers on the market without oil than there are with oil. Moisturizers with a gel base or moisturizers containing salicylic acid are great moisturizers for acne-prone complexions. A moisturizer that states it will help prevent acne breakouts is usually a great choice. Don’t go overboard. Drying out oily skin with harsh products will not stop your oil, and will only add the problems of surface dryness, flaking, and skin irritation to the mix. Some tightness is normal after using cleansers that are effective enough for oily skin, but don’t use a cleanser or toner that leaves skin feeling parched.
Tyra Banks spoke about spending $200 on a face cream and ended up breaking out in droves. The ‘America’s Next Top Model’ host - who prides herself on her bargain hunting and calls herself “the queen of cheap” - regretted spending the extra money after her skin erupted after reacting to the beauty product. She revealed on the ‘Tyra Banks Show’: “I bought this $200 face cream and I had to stop using it because it broke me out. I had pimples on top of pimples. The kind of pimples that feel like there is poison underneath your skin. The kind of pimples that feel alive! I guess I’ve learned my lesson - stick to the cheap face cream I’ve been using for more than 10 years. There is no magic in a bottle.”
If you have mild acne, adult acne toners can really make a difference in how soon your acne clears up. If you have persistent or severe acne, adult acne toners should still be part of your acne treatment regime. The only difference here is that your acne treatment regime is usually a multi-step process which includes cleansing, toning and applying medication. Regardless of the severity of your acne, you want to make sure that you cleanse your skin prior to using an adult acne toner. The process of cleansing is to remove dirt and oils from the surface of your skin.
Then post toner or Alcohol you can go ahead and use an oil free moisturizer. Maybe Tyra should have thought of picking up some Cetiphil at Rite Aid before she waster $200 on some silly skin care con. It’s not about price when it comes to acne it’s about using mild gentle products that don’t over do it. Sorry Tyra you are no longer on the road toward becoming America’s next top model.
By theresa
Acne isn’t the easiest problem to treat. We all know this from the countless alterations we’ve been forced to make to our lives to fight this horrible issue tooth and nail. But it’s even harder for those of us who play sports. Those pimply faced football players didn’t just have an acne issue they had what is known as Acne Mechanica, a form of acne caused or aggravated by heat, covered skin, constant pressure and repetitive friction against the skin.
In young people, especially, acne mechanica may be due to physical skin trauma causing a flare of pre-existing, nearly invisible “sandpaper acne.” Small, undeveloped “sandpaper acne” lesions—microcomedones—of the forehead and chin may be visually inapparent but perceptible to the touch as roughness of the skin. Sandpaper acne of the forehead and chin is readily traumatized by sports helmets and straps, and by tight headbands. Young people with a predisposition for acne of the shoulders, back and buttocks are especially at risk for acne mechanica caused by shoulder padding, equipment straps and tight uniforms or clothing. Acne mechanica is usually not associated with skin conditions other than “sandpaper acne”. Heat, pressure, occlusion of the skin and friction may be all that is needed to induce an outbreak of acne mechanica.
Those who are at risk for developing acne mechanica include: athletes who wear padded equipment during the course of their activities; people who wear tight uniforms made of synthetic material; soldiers who carry a lot of heavy weaponry and equipment; and those who wear helmets such as motorcycle riders and football players.
Some other examples of pressure are- soldiers carrying heavy loads on the back, people carrying backpacks, athletes wearing a tight headband, women wearing bras with tight straps etc. Any such instance when the skin is tightly covered with cloth and pressurized makes it vulnerable. For example- people who wear very tight clothes made of synthetic material may get it. Not everybody gets acne mechanica. Those who have a tendency to develop body acne may get it. Those with very small comedones may get it. When these small comedones are subjected to mechanical pressure and friction, they may flare up. Comedones are whiteheads and blackheads.
Another group of people at risk are musicians who tuck musical instruments around their necks for long period of time. These include violin players who tuck violin against their neck when playing which usually causes acne below their ear. I had a friend in high school who constantly dealt with this as a classical violinist.
Acne mechanica does not occur during any particular age and is also not associated with any type of skin condition or disorder besides sand paper acne. Acne mechanica only affects when the skin becomes vulnerable due to extra pressure, heat or tightening or when the body have the tendency of developing body acne. It also occurs when the already present small blackheads and white heads suffer through extra amount of mechanical pressure and friction. Acne Mechanica affects different parts of the body such as face, shoulders, neck, back, under arms or thighs.
Acne mechanica can be prevented by most of the people. Professionals, who cannot avoid such skin pressure, must take care of the skin immediately after getting free of their professional duties. Acne mechanica can cause skin scars. Protect yourself from it.
My friend who played classical violin wound up using a drying cleanser on the area and getting benzoyl peroxide from a dermatologist to treat his on the spot acne. It’s funny because he always had clear and perfect skin but something about the friction, heat and oil combined seemed to make the acne flare near his chin and ears. It probably had something to do with the intense practice sessions in the summer and a lack of knowledge about this type of acne that effects so many people who are probably mistaking it for something hormonal and going on Accutane etc. The important thing is to be aware that it exists and do your best working hand in hand with a doctor to combat the problem. My friend now is back to normal and still playing in an orchestra. Could be that his skin eventually adjusted but I think it has something to do with the extra attention to the area.
By theresa
I love oatmeal and I eat it practically every morning for breakfast. But the cool thing about it is not only is it great for you but it’s great for your skin too But the thing I didn’t know was that it makes a great face mask and scrub as well! As for measles and other skin irritations, people have used oatmeal to conquer acne. Apply some cooled, cooked oatmeal to the whole face for fifteen minutes, then wash off. Oatmeal is an astringent and seems to draw oil and impurities out of the skin, keeping it clean and blemish-free. This method may take a week or two, but should have good results. The use of oatmeal masks and oatmeal-based products to treat acne has become popular in recent years. You can use colloidal oatmeal, which is simply rolled oats that have been milled into a fine powder, as a facial scrub. Or, you can cook up some oatmeal and apply it directly to your face.
It’s a great exfoliant for your skin and we all know how important it is to wash away those dead skin cells and impurities to stop our pores getting clogged. It’s great for sensitive skin because its effective enough as a natural exfoliant but it’s not too harsh that it will damage or aggravate your skin. This is good news for those with sensitive skin because it doesn’t take a lot for a break out to occur.
The edible grains of a widely grown cereal grass, oats (avena sativa) appear in many beauty products. People appreciate their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Come to think of it, that’s another childhood memory. When I got the chicken pox my mom popped me into an oatmeal and baking soda bath to relieve the itching. Oats are also highly absorptive, hypoallergenic, and help to soften skin.
They have the best amino acid balance of all the cereal grains (amino acids work as water-binding agents in skin care products). Oats have also been clinically shown to help heal dry, itchy skin. Oat grains and straw appear in shampoos, dusting powders, moisturizers, and cleansing bars and that’s just the start of a list.
Oatmeal is a good home remedies for acne because oatmeal is an astringent which helps to draw out oil and impurities from the pores and keep your skin clean and blemish free. As well as being an effective exfoliant, oatmeal can also be combined with other natural products to make your very own acne clearing face mask.
Oatmeal, when used as a skin cleanser, actually absorbs and removes surface dirt and impurities while providing very gentle exfoliation, leaving skin smooth, soft, and clean, without soap. As a facial mask, oatmeal deep cleanses pores without irritating and drying out skin. And as a facial scrub, oatmeal gently but effectively removes dead skin cells, to reveal softer, smoother looking skin. In addition, cleansing and exfoliating with oatmeal provides the bonus of a natural, healthy glow.
Eating Oatmeal is also cancer fighting. So you can divide half for your skin and half for breakfast! Here is some info on the health benefits of oatmeal.
According to the American Cancer Society:
1. Insoluble fiber’s cancer-fighting properties are due to the fact that it attacks certain bile acids, reducing their toxicity.
2. Soluble fiber may reduce LDL cholesterol without lowering HDL cholesterol. LDL is bad; HDL is good.
3. Soluble fiber slows down the digestion of starch. This may be beneficial to diabetics because, when you slow down the digestion of starch, you avoid the sharp rises in your blood sugar level that usually occur following a meal.
4. It has been found that those who eat more oats are less likely to develop heart disease, a disease that is currently widespread in the United States.
5. The phytochemicals in oat may also have cancer-fighting properties.
6. Oats are a good source of many nutrients including vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium. Oats are also a good source of protein.
By Angela
Caitlinator @ Flickr
Acne may be one of the most talked about skin conditions, as such, acne also has more then its fair share of myths. One of the most common is that there is no “cure” for acne and sufferers simply have to let the acne run its course.
Hopefully, if you are reading this blog, you at least believe that acne can be cured to some extent. While there is no conclusive treatment that permanently removes acne from every patient, there are numerous treatments available both over the counter and from a dermatologist that effectively reduce if not remove acne entirely. In short, no one should have to deal with acne.
So not only is this myth completely false it can also be detrimental to your skin. There are two main reasons for this. One, if left untreated acne can become worse. Sure, given time, your current acne break out will heal on its own. However, with out treatment new acne break outs are very likely to appear. Leaving your current acne untreated can also put it at risk to become infected or irritated and rupture, spreading oil on to your skin and creating even more acne.
Secondly, untreated acne can lead to acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Any time you get a pimple you run a small risk of that pimple leading to a permanent scar. If you leave your acne untreated, allowing it to grow and spread, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to scarring, which is even more difficult to deal with then the original acne was.
So in conclusion, there may not be a total cure for acne and acne related skin conditions, but there is more then one way to treat your acne. No one should have to suffer through what is often an embarrassing skin condition just to let nature run its course.
By theresa
I never quite knew what the deal was with using moisturizer and having super oily skin. The truth is that any little thing I put on my face causes a break out. I was jealous of people around me using toners and other skin care products because any minor topical cream or treatment and my skin would erupt like a volcano. So I decided today to do a little research on the pros and cons of moisturizer. Those with combination skin must be dealing with a constant struggle. I could only imagine. But regardless I figured a little knowledge on the subject couldn’t hurt even if I wind up never using moisturizer again.
Your skin is oily so you use a product to get rid of the oil, then your skin becomes tight and dry so you use a product to moisturize, which often causes the oiliness to return. But there is a way to stop this cycle and achieve healthy, balanced skin. The key is using the right products to help your skin maintain the ideal amount of oil in the skin.Moisturizer is something we use to hold the skins own water content in place, and add to it. For oily skin, the best choices for that are a gel or a lotion. Creams usually add to much of a good thing to oily skin, and weigh it down. You want hydration, not lubrication.
Oil (sebum) is produced by sebaceous glands. Normal sebum production performs the important job of lubricating your skin. Sebum also carries with it dead skin cells shedding from your hair follicle walls. The amount of sebum an individual generates is determined by genetics (and often increases during adolescence). While excess sebum is not directly responsible for acne, it can contribute to clogged pores.
It may seem strange but everyone needs to moisturize (even people with oily skin). This isn’t to add moisture as such, but to help the skin retain moisture. A good moisturizer, suited to your skin type, will help your skin retain water and protect it from the damaging effects of pollution and the sun. If you use a topical acne medication, apply the moisturizer after applying the acne medication. If your skin still feels dry or stings, try applying the moisturizer before applying the acne medication.
When it comes to oily skin you will want to wash your face at least twice per day. You want to use some type of facial cream that will remove the oil from your face. You do not want to put anything on your face which will make it produce more oil or make it look worse. You will to use some type of acne pads with alcohol. The alcohol will dry out your skin and stop it from being as greasy or oily. You will want to use these in the morning and at night.
For some reason though I really don’t see the point in applying alcohol to then apply moisturizer. It seems like it doesn’t make much sense to dry your skin out before moisturizer. Getting the right moisturizer can make all the difference for an acne-prone complexion. First and foremost, make sure any moisturizer you buy is oil-free. A moisturizer with an oil base will indeed cause acne problems. However, there are more moisturizers on the market without oil than there are with oil. Moisturizers with a gel base or moisturizers containing salicylic acid are great moisturizers for acne-prone complexions. A moisturizer that states it will help prevent acne breakouts is usually a great choice. Even if you have oily skin, you can still benefit from the use of a daily moisturizer. And, no, moisturizers don’t have to leave your skin feeling greasy and looking shiny. The trick is in finding the right product. I’m still on the fence about the whole thing really but I guess I’ll give this hydration idea a try and see if my acne improves. I’ll keep you posted!
By Angela
Britneybush @ flickr
As many of us know, acne only inflicting teenagers is a cruel myth. In fact, many people continue to suffer from acne and acne related skin care issues long into their adult lives. To make matters worse, we take on a whole new set of skin care issues such as wrinkles and age spots, and it seems like the majority of products out there are made for teens. If you’re an adult with acne, you need adult products to treat it.
As you age your skin becomes less resilient. The normal cycle of skin shedding will slow down and you will take longer to heal. This means that products containing harsh ingredients like alcohol or abrasives aren’t for you. Gentle is the best policy when it comes to caring for adult on-set acne. Look for products made for sensitive skin.
If you are still treating acne and wrinkles or age spots at the same time treatment gets even more complicated. There simply aren’t many products on the market made to combat the two. One exception being AHA’s. AHA, or Alpha Hydroxy Acid is an exfoliate common in moisturizers and cleansers made for both treating acne and wrinkles. AHA’s work to shed the outer most layer of skin. By helping your body’s own natural clearing out process there is less debris left on your face to clog your pores and lead to additional acne. AHA’s also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles with continual use.
Unfortunately, adult on-set acne is all too common, and often even more difficult to treat then the acne you had in your teens. Be careful of the products you put on your face, make sure they are non-comedenic and friendly to sensitive skin.
By theresa
Certain people are genetically predisposed to have more problems with acne than others. Researchers have theorized that the hormones in cow’s milk could also stimulate the same mechanisms. Nearly all milk (75-90 percent) and milk products are derived from pregnant cows. After their first calf, cows will nurse them for a month. The calf is then put on artificial feed and the cow goes on the commercial milk production line. At her first heat (six-weeks postpartum) she is inseminated and continues producing milk during her 10-month pregnancy, at which point the cycle is repeated. This process results in milk that contains placenta-derived progesterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) precursors. Other hormones besides steroids in milk may also stimulate acne. The reason that milk products cause acne is because milk contains hormones that “turn on” oil glands. The cows that give the milk are pregnant and milking most of their lives. These hormones are not injected into the cows - they are natural hormones that cows make during every “menstrual” cycle, but during pregnancy these hormones are produced continuously at high levels and so are found in all cows’ milk. The reason that milk products cause acne is because milk contains hormones that “turn on” oil glands. The cows that give the milk are pregnant and milking most of their lives. These hormones are not injected into the cows - they are natural hormones that cows make during every “menstrual” cycle, but during pregnancy these hormones are produced continuously at high levels and so are found in all cows’ milk. There is no such thing as “hormone-free” milk. The confusion is caused by a company that sells a hormone (called either bovine somatotropin - BST or recombinant bovine growth hormone - rBGH) for injection into cows to make them produce more milk. Some milk producers have made the point that they do not use this injection by advertising that the milk is “hormone-free”. It obviously does not contain the injected hormone but all the cows’ natural hormones are still in the milk. There are current studies showing that there is an association between drinking milk and having acne. In the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers found that drinking skim milk was associated with increased severity of acne in teenage boys. Blockage of pores caused by hormone induced changes in your skin is a known cause of acne. Milk might contribute to acne, therefore, because milk contains hormones (androgens) that can act on your skin just like your natural hormones. Some doctors are taking a new view of how diet affects the skin, and this no-dairy philosophy has its believers. Some dermatologists say they have had some success in having their patients cut milk and dairy from their diets. There is still no hard evidence proving milk consumption causes, or worsens, acne. Much more research is needed before this theory can be proven. However, decreasing milk intake may be helpful, especially for those whose acne isn’t responding well to more conventional treatments. In the meantime, you can stick to the advice that doctors have given for years: avoid any foods that seem to worsen your breakouts whether that be pizza, chocolate, oranges, or dairy products. Drinking lots of water and consuming fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals help to regularly maintain a naturally clean and healthy skin. Use vegetable oils such as olive oil in frying and preparing your food. Be sure to whisk off any excess fat or oil from food after frying or cooking before serving. Eat a lot fiber-rich food including whole-wheat pastries and rice to wash away all that rubbish in your digestive system and improve blood circulation.
By Angela
sweetbeetandgreenbean @ Flickr
The best diet for controlling your acne and having your best looking skin seems simple enough. Just eat your daily count of fruit, vegetables, and grains, drink plenty of water and you’re in the clear, right? Unfortunately, not all scientists and dieticians agree, some think that even the best foods for us might be triggering our acne, such as dairy.
Dairy has long since been a debate in the skincare community, especially in relation to acne. Many sufferers and even some professionals believe that dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, are actually causing acne.
While there is no conclusive evidence of this, many people suffering from acne have reported a decrease when the severely limited their intake of most dairy products. The widely accepted theory is that the active hormones found in dairy products like milk increase the hormones known to cause acne once they have been ingested in to our system, but there is a downside to this theory.
Simply put, our bodies need calcium and diary products are an excellent source of calcium. While there are supplements one can take and other sources of calcium available in foods, many dieticians are concerned that without this essential source of calcium people will begin to suffer a deficiency.
However, if you are looking for a possible trigger to your acne, it may be worth it to monitor you dairy intake for a period of one to three months to determine if your acne does actually improve on this new diet. Just be sure to get adequate calcium intake through other foods or supplements.
