By Angela
If you’ve browsed the shelves of a beauty store lately you know how complicated picking out a good cleanser can be. There are literally dozens of products available on the market in all sorts of price ranges, types, and all promising their own unique acne fighting ability. Picking out a new cleanser can be more then a little daunting, but the ten tips below should help you find the best one for you skin.
1. Determine a price point. Beauty products vary all over the pricing scale, from the down right cheap to the expensive. Before looking at any products, determine how much you are willing to spend.
2. Narrow the search down to a few brands. Most of us have certain brand names we just like more then others. If this is the case, this part is already done for you. If not, try reading a few reviews on the internet of the major brands before heading out to the stores.
3. Find a cleanser made for your skin type. Possibly the most important step, finding a cleanser that is made for your unique skin type is crucial in having the best skin care regimen. If your skin is oily, dry or combination, you should be able to find a product suited to your needs.
4. Make sure you are not allergic to the product. If you have any allergies, check the back of the label and make sure it is not listed in the ingredients. This is especially true of organic products.
5. Find a cleanser that treats your skincare problems. Facial products, especially cleansers have gotten very specific over recent years. If you have a skincare problem, such as acne, find a cleanser that contains fighting ingredients.
6. Make sure the cleanser does not contain oil. It should go without saying, but some cleansers are still comedenic, meaning they can break you out. Make sure the product says oil free or non-comedenic somewhere on the bottle.
7. Make sure you like the feel and smell of the product. This can be difficult, especially if you are shopping on the internet, but it is important to test out the smell and consistency of the product if you can. Chances are, if you don’t like the way the product smells or feels you’ll be back at the store buying a new one in no time.
8. If you are looking for an organic product, make sure the bottle has an organic seal. Sadly, several products listed as organic are not actually in fact organic. If this is a concern to you, make sure the official organic seal is marked on the product before you buy it.
9. If you have sensitive skin, look for a gentle product. Nothing can cause more headaches to people with sensitive skin then facial cleansers. They can be drying to your face and even cause rash like reactions. Make sure the product you are looking at caters to sensitive skin.
10. Buy the trial size. Several brands, especially higher end and specialty brands, offer trial sizes of their products. If you’ve never used the product before, this may be your best bet. It typically takes three weeks to determine if a new skincare product will work for you, so make sure you purchase enough to last that long.
By Angela
HP Art @ Flickr
As a society, we have an obsession with the sun, and for good reason. There is nothing quiet like being out on a sunny day enjoying life, but the sun may worsen your acne scars.
When you spend a lot of time in the sun the melanin in your skin darkens, giving you a tan. And while a nice tan is a coveted looking, especially during the summer months, it is also harmful to your skin, and your acne scars. When your acne scars and hyperpigmentation are continually exposed to the rays of the sun, they are unable to heal and may actually continue to darken. This is especially true if you are currently using a bleaching cream to lighten hyperpigmentation spots.
If you are trying to treat acne scars or hyperpigmentation the best thing you can do is to wear sunscreen, especially over the inflicted area. By blocking the damage the sun can do, the spot will have a better chance of healing. Treatments will also work better when covered from the sun.
Thankfully, several products have come out lately that make wearing sunscreen easier then ever. Gone are the days of thick, smelly creams. Sunscreen is now available in several moisturizers and even make up. You can also purchase lotions that contain both acne treatments and sunscreen.
Now that you know the damage you are doing to your acne scar fighting methods, there is no excuse not to wear a sunscreen everyday. If you don’t wear moisturizer or make up there are still several sunscreen only products on the market that are safe to wear on acne prone skin. Pick up a bottle today.
By theresa
Some people believe that the key to having not only good skin bus a healthy life is excellent liver function. Get it together heavy drinkers because if you believe this those couple margaritas every week could be your one way ticket to bad skin and weight problems.
Many people will resort to medications to solve their acne problem, but this approach is short term and has possible side effects. The key to prevent and get rid of acne once and for all is through lifestyle modification. This approach is more natural and doesn’t have any side effect.
The liver is responsible for deactivating hormones so their levels aren’t too high. This can become a demanding task considering it must also deal with other pollutants such as car fumes, heavy metals, smoke, pesticides and all the other toxic materials that find their way into your body. The liver can become quite sluggish with all the above stresses are thrown at it. You want to provide the liver with nutrients that help strengthen it’s function and help it eliminate waste and used up hormones. There are many herbs and extracts can that help with liver function. Alot of research has been done on Milk Thistle. This extract is excellent for protecting the liver and also improves its detoxing abilities.
Your liver is what “deactivates” and “clears” excess and previously “used” hormones from your system. And it also purifies your blood of congesting blood toxins. Liver function in this aspect is the KEY to hormonal balance and pure blood….which will lead to flawless, acne-free skin.
The food we eat is broken down by our digestive system into amino acids, simple sugars, fatty acids and glycerin so that it can be distributed through the blood stream. In other words, it can be said that the machine of our body is dependent on the engine of our digestive system which turns the fuel (food) into energy to drive the body.
This is the most important function of any body organ as all other organs are dependent on this “fuel” to work efficiently. You may eat the best food in the world, but if your digestive system does not function properly then it’s useless. Many skin problems are caused by a sluggish digestive system. Acne, boils, eczema, psoriasis and body odor all owe their origin to the malfunctioning of digestive system. The nourishment of body and health rely on the proper reduction of food into useful components. The failure of the digestive system to do so not only results in fatigue but also fermentation and production of toxins, which then give rise to many diseases, including acne. If unresolved, it eventually affects our whole body and other systems as well.
The liver is responsible for detoxifying the blood as it comes from the colon, lungs, and lymphatic system. Once detoxified, this blood moves into your entire body to provide your cells with oxygen and digested nutrients. Because you eat, breathe, and create so many toxins, the liver has a hard time neutralizing these toxins. If you are constipated, this puts an extreme toxic load on your liver, which eventually leads to the excretion of these toxins through your skin and face. Excessive toxins coming out through your skin can lead to acne and other skin disorders. All cellular wastes, used up hormones, and excess hormones are routed to the liver through your lymphatic system. Once in the liver, the liver starts the detoxifying process. If the liver is overloaded with toxins, it will start to store these toxins in its own cells, in the cells of your organs, in your joints, in your skin, or any other place where the body is weak.
By Angela
Both men and women suffer from acne through their teens and often in to their adulthood. However, women may be a little worse off where acne is concerned due largely to the amount of hormones produced in women’s bodies. Often, these hormones act out, causing more acne to form then usual.
Some women notice an increase in acne coinciding with their natural cycles. Typically, right before and during their menstrual cycle several women report either more acne over all or an increase in cystic acne. This is due to the increase in hormone production brought on by their cycle. Unfortunately, hormone related acne may be the hardest acne cause to treat and often standard treatment options do little good in fighting the breakouts.
There are two ways to effectively treat hormone related acne, both in home and with the assistance of a dermatologist. The first step in treating your acne is to determine if you do in fact suffer from hormone related breakouts. The easiest way to do this is to track your cycle and make note of when more acne appears. By noting the certain times your acne is worse or more frequent you will best know when to treat the acne.
Once you know when your acne is at it’s worst you can take increased measures to treat it at home, either by simply paying extra attention to your normal acne fighting skin care regimen or by adding extra steps to ward off the increased acne production. Some women have great success just by adding an oil reducing clay based facial mask to their skin care routine three to four times a week during their heavy hormonal acne periods.
However, if your hormonal related acne does not see a noticeable improvement after a few months of extended home care, you may want to consult a dermatologist. Dermatologists can treat the cause, your hormones, both topically and orally. To determine what treatment options is best for you, set up an consultation with a local dermatologist.
Whatever the cause of your acne, no one should have to suffer. Once you are able to narrow down the possible cause of your acne, you will be better prepared to fight it, either at home or with the assistance of a dermatologist.
By theresa
You may be one of the unlucky few who doesn’t just have acne on your face but acne on your scalp as well. The really sad part of this form of acne is that it can often be extremely hard to treat because acne treatments can’t be directly applied without effecting the texture of hair. You may want to explore what is causing this on your scalp acne. It’s relatively possible that you could be wearing a hat and sweating causing irritation or this could be like many forms of acne simply a hormonal imbalance. Whatever the cause it’s important to stay educated on the treatments available to you and also establish a relationship with a good doctor who can also assist you in choosing the right method to eliminate this irritating and annoying form of acne.
Scalp acne is a common skin condition which affect people of all ages. It typically involve the hair follicles becoming inflamed. They can be frustrating enough, and they can be almost impossible to live with since they itch and are hard to reach because they are buried underneath all your hair. The effects of scalp pimples vary and there are many scientific names to describe the condition, but most of the time scalp pimples resemble small, extremely itchy pustules that you usually notice when you are combing or brushing your hair.
Scalp acne is common in both men and women and it affects the people of all ages.It is also caused by certain micro-organisms like mites, bacteria and yeasts. This type of acne is treated in the same manner as the acne on face.It is the type that shows up on the scalp and near the hairline. It is identified by little pustules inside the scalp that are extremely itchy and usually very annoying on the front side of the hairline. It’s not as common as some of the other types of acne such as facial acne but it is still very distressing for the sufferer.It is a skin inflammatory disorder of the scalp’s hair follicles and is acquired due to the inflammation in the sebaceous glands and follicles of the hair because of the production of oil.
Treating scalp acne is not always as easy as treating other types. It’s not like there are scalp acne treatment in the local drug store to turn to. There are, however, ways to keep the acne under control.While scalp acne may be unsightly and uncomfortable, the good news is that it is definitely manageable. First, make sure you keep your hair as free from oil as possible. This means washing with a mild shampoo each and every day and conditioning it so the hair and scalp don’t dry out. Dandruff has also proven to be helpful in some instances of scalp acne.
The mild forms of scalp pimples are a nuisance but nothing to worry about. The affected area usually responds to the application of a salicylic acid solution (tar shampoo) but care in use of such preparation should be taken due to the extreme dehydrating and stripping action of compounds like benzoyl peroxide that can have an adverse and permanent effect on the actual hair.
Scalp hygiene should be improved if scalp pimples become evident and persist. Any hypoallergenic shampoo calibrated for oily skin types will definitely be of benefit as they will limit the production of sebum which is the naturally produced oil on the skin.
On the scalp, the oil glands open into the hair follicles and often you will get a little inflammation around the hair follicle. Generally the use one of the ordinary medicated tar shampoos will control it nicely. They are not true pimples such as acne on the face but simply folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicle.Experimenting with other hair treatments would be the obvious course of action if you suspect allergies, but to combat a DHT problem one should consult a dermatologist and obtain dihydrotestosterone inhibitor such as Propecia that can be applied like a cream or shampoo.
By theresa
Ok ok, we all like to have a drink every now and then. When I found out that frozen margaritas contained close to 1,000 calories I almost hit the treadmill for 6 hours to counteract my Cancun getaway turned cellulite building marathon. Learning that really curbed any future hankering I may have for frozen margaritas and taught me to think before you drink. When I read that beer my one frozen margarita alternative may cause acne I was ready to book a facial and go on a juice detox considering I had three of the evil little bottles last night with friends. Now I did a little bit of research and though I did find that beer can in fact cause acne there is also an ingredient in beer used to treat it as well. Talk about mixed information.
More often than not, many people have complained of breaking out after a night out of heavy drinking and the biggest question that’s been asked is. Does beer cause Acne ?. While studies have shown no direct link between beer and acne it certain Indivisuals have developed pimples a day o two after drinking beer. One line of thought is that certain people may have an allergy to all the yeast in beer. This allergy could lead to a number of things, including your skin drying out and therefore developing acne or some other sort of blemish. The yeast isn’t going to directly cause acne, but the toxicity of it relative to your body will since you are allergic to it and therefore your body views it as a toxin.
Yeast is used in beer to cause fermentation, which produces alcohol as it consumes the sugars from the other ingredients. So how exactly does this make you break out? Well, if your body is allergic to yeast, consuming beer will introduce yeast into your body and it will be viewed as a toxin. This toxicity can cause a number of things to happen depending on the severity of your allergy and acne developing is one of them. The only way to know if beer will cause you to develop acne is by actually drinking beer, but even then it can vary greatly from person to person depending on your body’s sensitivity to yeast.
Oddly enough even though many people claim that beer causes breakouts there is a cure for acne found within Brewer’s yeast. Brewer’s yeast is an inactive yeast, meaning the yeasts have been killed and have no leavening power. It is the yeast grown on foods such as sugar beets, or the yeast that remains after beer making. It is used as a nutrient supplement to increase the intake of amino acids, minerals, B vitamins, and other chemicals beneficial to skin repair. Brewer’s yeast comes powdered (the most potent form), in flakes (best for health shakes), and in tablets. Brewers Yeast is a nonleavening agent that provides the body with vitamin B, proteins, and minerals. Taking it as a food supplement is beneficial to the body as it brings many benefits as it helps people who have sleeping problems, those with chronic fatigue syndrome, and many others. Recent research reveals an added benefit of brewer’s yeast. A leading skin care range in Germany, Dayenne promises to effectively cure acne because of the product’s special ingredient…brewers yeast. Dayenne is available as a day cream, night cream, cover stick, toner, cleanser, soap and sun cream. The new acne product is considered a a cosmeceutical as it contain essential vitamins like B1, B2, B6, nucleic acid, amino acids and biotin and in away serves a skin food and medicine. Dayenne, which was a hit in Germany is now also available in the United Kingdom (UK).After only days of applying Dayenne, one will notice positive improvements on skin. Dayene should be applied everyday for 15 minutes during the first week and before menstruation.
By Angela
Cafrine @ Flickr
No one ever wants to deal with a pimple, but some times they just seem worse then others. Maybe you have a big night coming up or a presentation at work and you just want to get that pimple gone as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there isn’t an instant cure for any pimple, but there are ways to make them seem less noticeable.
One of the easiest ways to make a pimple less noticeable is to use concealer. If you wear make up, concealer can be a great cover all tool as long as the product is non-comedenic. If you can, purchase a green tinted concealer as the green coloring cancels out the redness of the pimple. Be sure to apply the green tinted concealer underneath your foundation to keep the green coloring from showing on your face.
If you don’t wear make up, ice may be your next best bet. Try applying an ice cube directly to the pimple, leaving the ice cube on your face for ten minutes. The ice will work to reduce the swelling in the pimple and make it appear smaller overall. The level of swelling should stay down for several hours.
You can also try used tea bags. Tea has long since been known to reduce swelling, however, it will also reduce some of the redness in the pimple and surrounding area. To use this method, make a cup of tea and drain the remaining juice from the tea bag. Apply the warm tea bag directly to the pimple and leave for ten to fifteen minutes. After you remove the bag, the pimple should be noticeably reduced.
While there is no way to make a pimple just disappear, you can make it less noticeable in an emergency. For the best results, apply the tea or ice before applying the concealer. This two pronged method will last the longest and keep your face noticeably free.
By Angela
Alpha Hydroxy acids are a very popular at home treatment for acne scars and hyperpigmentation with good reason. Alpha Hydroxy acids work as an exfoliate, gently removing the outermost layer of your skin, and over time revealing new, fresher looking skin. Many people use and swear by Alpha Hydroxy acid and there are several products available on the market containing the ingredient. One of the most popular brands being, Alpha Hydrox.
Alpha Hydrox is readily available at most drug stores and beauty shops, as well as, several internet retailers. The Alpha Hydrox product line comes in several moisturizers and spot treatments, all containing AHA. Recently, they’ve added an oil free formula to their line as well as a wrinkle spot treatment including Retinol A.
Personally, I have tried Alpha Hydrox with some success. After a few days of use the product did make my skin softer. After a week of use my skin had a noticeable clearness. After a few weeks of use the hyperpigmentation around my chin appeared lighter. The results were not comparable to results one would get from a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon, but I did enjoy using the product.
Other users have reported a decrease in their acne while using the product, and there have been little to no reports that the product increases acne in some users. However, the products biggest claim to fame among users is a decrease in skin dryness.
If you have a dry skin type or mild hyperpigmentation this product may be worth checking out. Not everyone will get the same results, however, since the risk of increasing acne is relatively low, it may be worth the shot.
By theresa
I recently quit smoking and I’m going on 11 months. I saw a minor change in my skin but because I’m fairly positive my acne is hormonal nothing major has actually happened. But for others out there it is possible that your acne may in fact be caused by smoking and it should give you even more reason to quit on top of all the other health concerns associated with the rightfully titled cancer sticks.
Smokers have been experiencing quite a rough time in some parts of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, some states are banning people from even smoking in the comfort of their own home. In the United Kingdom, popular places for smokers, such as pubs and grills are no longer accepting smokers among their midst. Smokers now have to go out to the streets to smoke, and even then, sometimes, they aren’t welcome as well.
Sometimes smoking is justified by the fact that nicotine allegedly has stress reducing effects. Let me contemplate on the connection between these factors… The fluctuation of hormones in the body indeed influences the rash (e.g. the rash increases during the period of puberty, pregnancy). However, it is wrong to follow such advice in order to decrease the rash. Smoking causes lung cancer (it is a fact) or upper respiratory tract diseases. Not to mention the aesthetic side of smoking – bad breath. Vitamin A is used by the body to help generate new cells and replace old ones. This vitamin also boosts the production of collagen and can thus lead to more youthful looking skin. In the long term, a lack of oxygen and nutrients causes the formation of harmful free radicals that slowly damage the elastic fibers and collagen, which keeps the skin strong flexible and young looking. The net result is, the premature signs of aging, in the form of wrinkles.
Not surprisingly, acne and smoking have many common conditions due to which they arrive and thrive. Now the question arises, is smoking directly responsible for acne conditions? The answer is in the affirmative. With smoking you introduce certain chemicals into the body. These chemicals have a direct bearing on the blood circulation to skin cells. The skin’s ability to heal and regenerate is blocked. The toxins released in cigarette smoke results in pores getting clogged, and this promotes bacterial growth in the pores. All these negative factors contribute to growth of skin eruptions in the form of acne, zits and pimples.
If you really wanna control acne then first step that you need to take is to stop smoking. Wash your face regularly but avoid over-washing it. Make some changes in your diet and include some fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as well. Practice yoga and meditation that will also help you a lot. Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine for vitamin D, ingredients for healthy and acne pimple free skin.
The spotty skin disorder particularly affects female smokers according to The British Journal of Dermatology. This ’smokers’ acne’ is characterised by blocked pores and large blackheads but less inflamed spots than normal acne. The researchers conducted a study of 1000 women aged 25 to 50 and found that 42 percent of smokers had acne compared to only one in ten non-smokers.
Additionally, smokers who had suffered acne in their teens were found to be four times more likely to suffer acne as an adult than non-smokers who had also experienced teenage acne. The research identified a particular type of acne called NIA (non-inflammatory acne) to be common among smokers. Smoking cuts the air flow to your skin, leaving it grey and dull. Giving up helps bring back a healthy glow. Improve your smile. Smoking can cause yellow teeth, gum disease and bad breath. It can create hormonal imbalance which decreases libido. Stopping could improve your sex life.
By theresa
A good friend of mine just cannot seem to get rid of these bumps under his chin. Are they acne? Are they shaving bumps? What could possibly be causing him this constant anguish in the mirror. What is so hard to deal with is the fact that he isn’t in the market to grow a beard and makes a living off of his face as an actor so he’s sort of between a rock and a hard place when it comes to shaving and also caring for his skin. He’s tried creams and pills. He’s gone to doctors and herbalists. But no one can really solve with prolonged problem. It’s just so incredibly annoying to have to deal with a situation that is so apparent to everyone else. It’s not one little pimple it’s a whole cluster making it extremely hard for him to stay on top of shaving. So in light of his year long problem I decided to do a little research on shaving and acne.
Shaving with ance prone skin and active blemishes can be very painful and difficult. Rupturing blemishes can spread bacteria over your skin and create more acne for you to deal with later. Shaving bumps are most commonly mistaken to be acne because it is similar to acne breakouts. It is the result of an irritation in the hair follicle due to shearing. By the time the hair that you shave start to develop back they are ensnared inside the follicle thus resulting to inflammation and enlargement. Almost all people obtain shaving bumps, but these are most natural in people who have curly hair. The itching is on the bumps probably caused because of the shaving. These tiny shaving bumps are technically called as pseudofolliculitis barbae. These bumps are more or less similar to the acne breakouts. These are caused by the inflammation of hair follicles due to shaving.
There are many products available that help lubricate the skin prior to shaving. Skin products for men that target shaving generally have gels or lotions for pre-shave and post-shave conditioning. The priority is to lay-down a protective barrier that allows razors and shavers to more easily glide over the the beard or legs (in the case with women). Products with Emu Oil and Hyaluronic Acid have been shown to allow razors to do their job while reducing nicks and cuts.
Shaving is a great method of exfoliating or removing dead skin, and helps to prevent acne and keep it from spreading for some people, shaving eliminates whiteheads and blackheads. One should be extremely careful to not shave irritated areas with large visible acne breakouts. This can spread infection. Shaving creams containing oil should be avoided; generally sensitive skin solutions are much more effective.
Select a good razor. Try using electric razor. That won’t give you a close shave. But will decrease the chances of acne breakout. If you use blade remember to change the blade whenever you shave. Triple edged blades take the hair out of the follicles and they shave under the skin.The epidermis then develops again in the due course of time but over the opening of the follicle. When the hair comes to grow again it attempts to take escape from the follicle which has been closed. This causes the skin to inflame after some day of shaving.
In reality I think that the first thing I’m going to tell my friend is to change his SHAVING CREAM. If nothing else he could at the very least be using something that would be gentler and more soothing to his sensitive skin. I think he’s been focusing too much on what happens after he shaves than what is happening while he is shaving. Finding a nice soothing cream could be just the ticket to a clear face. If that doesn’t work he should be looking at investing some cash in an electric shaver that has great reviews. So in reality doing your research online may in fact be the only way to solve your problem because you’re looking at a controlled experiment without having to be the guinea pig. I will relay all of this info to my friend and I’ll keep you posted on his progress!!
