source:flickr by:patriziasoliani

With winter in full effect, the lack of moisture and humidity along with harsh winds can wreak havoc on your skin. And if acne has always been an issue for you, winter breakouts may be a common occurrence because contrary to popular belief, excessively dry skin causes acne.

How Dry Skin Causes Acne

People with oily skin usually have problems with acne because pimples are caused by excess sebum (oil) on the skin. However, when skin gets dry, it produces more oil to counterbalance the lack of moisture. That’s why people who have combination skin (e.g. dry skin with oily skin in the T-zone area) typically deal with even more breakouts in the winter.

And since acne is also a result of dead skin cells that accumulate and clog pores, dry skin causes flakiness, which can plug up the pores as they slough off. This poses a real problem for acne sufferers because their skin doesn’t have the natural ability to shed dead skin cells.

Exfoliation and Hydration Is Key

The key to preventing acne from worsening during dry, winter months is to keep your skin properly hydrated and renewed using moisturizers and exfoliators. Look for moisturizers that contain ingredients like glycerin, naturally extracted ingredients like jojoba oil or apricot kernel oil, ceramides and linoleic acid, and gentle exfoliators that slough off dead skin cells without irritating the skin.

Since physical exfoliators like facial scrubs can be too harsh on already inflamed, acneic skin, look for chemical exfoliators that contain salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acids as they are more effective on acne prone skin.

Be selective about ingredients and choose products carefully, and you’ll soon be on your way to a clear, healthy, balanced complexion for all seasons.

source:flickr by:Glideric

Battling acne may include staying up-to-date on the latest and greatest acne products, learning about the causes of acne, or striving to maintain a healthier lifestyle. All of these are worthless, however, if you fail to stay consistent when it comes to your treatment for acne of choice. Even the best acne treatment won’t have a chance if diligent use isn’t employed!

Staying consistent may be difficult for those who aren’t used to maintaining a self-imposed regimen. If your life’s daily activities allows for variation, chances are you’ll succumb to the ease which accompanies the lack of a schedule. Therefore, if you’re committed to fighting your acne, you may need to begin by promising yourself to stay consistent — no matter what!

A dependable acne regimen will look different based on the severity of acne, the treatments used, and the person’s daily commitments. Some regimens will be more complicated than others, but persistent adherence will lead seamlessly into habit, and before too long you’ll forget you’re even following a regimen!

To begin building a daily regimen, start with outlining the acne treatments you wish to use. Then, elaborate upon those treatments until a step-by-step guide has been created. For example, if a holistic treatment, such as a raw, antioxidant-rich diet is being employed, a written eating plan will help keep consistency within day-to-day life. Start a recipe box, and research meals that include your favorite ingredients. When it’s time to grocery shop, use the recipe cards to build your grocery list. This will help eliminate mindless buying (and eating!) and lead you to clearer skin.

For topical treatment users, posting a bulleted skin care regimen next to the bathroom mirror may help remind you to use your products, and motivate you when you’re feeling groggy or defeated. Line your acne treatment products up in order of use, and keep the space tidy. Having an orderly way of applying your treatments will make it a more relaxing experience, and will keep you from forgetting if you’ve already used a certain treatment product.

Above all, find what motivates you. If the thought of an extra piece of dark chocolate will help you want to apply your acne spot treatment, invest in some high-quality chocolate bars! If a special dress is calling your name from the shop window, allow yourself the splurge after a month of diligence! Or, simply remember that consistent regimen-following will lead to clearer, healthier skin. For an acne sufferer, what’s better motivation than that?

source:flickr by:Gubatron

Whether it affects your chest, back, buttocks or thighs, body acne is an unwelcome guest. Those who suffer from facial acne are very likely to develop body acne at some point in their life, and chances of development are increased by both genetics and lifestyle. Acne breakouts on the body are very similar to those found on the face; however, because the skin of the body often has a thicker density and larger pores, blemishes can become larger and more painful than facial lesions.

Acne may be developed anywhere on the body, other than the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Body acne can get out of control easily due to its likelihood of becoming irritated by clothing, sweat, and jewelry. In addition, acne-prone skin is also more prone to ingrown hairs, which causes acne skin to look even unhealthier.

The first step in preventing body acne and ingrown hairs alike is wearing comfortably loose, breathable fabrics, such as cotton. It is also important to shower as soon as possible after sweating, making sure to re-dress in clean, dry clothing. If you notice particularly problematic areas, make yourself aware of clothing habits that may be leading to extra breakouts. As an example, wearing tight jeans everyday may be causing leg acne, or a loose bra strap could be rubbing against the skin, leading to irritated and increased back acne.

Many skin care companies offer body skin care products specially formulated to treat acne on the body. These acne treatment products generally contain higher concentrations of the acne-fighting ingredients you already know and love, such as salicylic or glycolic acids. Using these products every morning, after exercise, or even before you go to bed at night will almost certainly reduce body breakouts. To build a regimen, begin with a body acne wash, a light moisturizer, and a spot treatment if necessary.

If you’re wearing proper clothing and using adult acne treatments, and your body acne still isn’t clearing up, your breakouts may be caused by an allergic reaction to your laundry detergent of fabric softener, or even your favorite beauty perfume. Removing common irritants, such as synthetic fragrances and harsh soaps, from your lifestyle may be a necessary step for healing and preventing your acne.

As always, it is recommended that you see your dermatologist for a professional diagnosis before beginning an acne treatment regimen. Although it is likely that blemishes found on the face and body are a form of acne or ingrown hair, it is always wise to seek the counsel of a medial professional.

source:flickr by:TiffanyDawnPhoto

It almost seems inevitable. You awake the morning of your “big day” — whether it’s your wedding, prom, or a simple date night — to a red, swollen pimple. These breakouts are usually caused by stress, but they can also be a plain old coincidence. Luckily, there are a few acne tips and tricks for reducing the appearance of surprise pimples, leaving your complexion looking clearer and healthier.

The first step is always prevention. If you have a special event coming up, steer clear of new acne treatments, skin care products, makeup, and hair products for at least a month prior to the date in question. Even if your best friend is urging you to try the skin care product she swears by for clear skin, it’s wise to stick to the products you know and love. In addition, if you regularly suffer from acne, be sure to keep up with your regimen.

If a blemish appears the day before your event, beware of overly-drying zit-zappers such as benzoyl peroxide, as these can cause the pimple to become flaky and difficult to conceal. Instead, try the DIY toothpaste treatment. Take your toothpaste (NOT a gel), and dab a little onto the blemish before bedtime. The paste will help shrink and dry the pimple without causing the skin to become flaky or rough.

To reduce inflammation, apply a hot compress followed by a cold compress. You can enhance the anti-inflammatory effects by medicating the hot compress with chamomile tea, and using sterile pads soaked in cold milk as your cool compress. Be sure to rinse away any residue before applying your makeup, and only use essential oils if you’re sure of how your skin will react to them.

To tackle redness, your best friend is Visine, or any other redness-reducing eye drops. One simple drop applied to the blemish will take away the angry red color, thereby reducing its appearance. Apply the Visine after the compresses, but before any other skin care or acne treatment product.

Finally, if the pimple is still an angry red hill, try applying a hemorrhoid cream to it. This may sound a bit strange, but the cream is designed to reduce extreme, uncomfortable inflammation, so it’s not a shock to realize that it works well on zits! If a traditional hemorrhoid cream makes you feel uncomfortable, natural treatments, such as Tucks pads with witch hazel, will also provide great results. Again, be sure to use any of these treatments before all your other skin care or beauty makeup products!

After you’ve exhausted your acne treatment options, remember to leave your pimples alone. Obsessing won’t help anything, and picking at your breakout will only cause more redness and inflammation. After all is said and done, your special day will be remembered not for your pimples, but instead for the wonderful event itself. So take a breath, focus on the positive, and bring your concealer with you!

source:flickr by:G|o®g|O

How to Get Rid of Acne: Stop Picking Your Skin!

There are few things that exacerbate acne more than picking the acne blemishes and the surrounding skin. It’s a classic catch-22: you pick your acne because it’s uncomfortable, or you believe that popping the pimples will help them heal faster. Then, new blemishes are caused by picking the old ones, leading you to pick at the new blemishes, and so on.

Picking your skin causes new blemishes for a few different reasons. First off, constantly touching your face introduces bacteria, dirt, and debris from your fingertips. Think about it; your hands touch, well, everything! The computer keyboard, greasy foods, dirty faucets, your shoes…the list goes on and on. (Just thinking about it makes me want to wash my hands!)

Secondly, releasing the oil and bacteria from a pimple causes it to travel elsewhere on the face, where it can clog a different pore and cause another blemish. In addition, when one pops a pimple, some of the pus actually travels deeper into the dermis, which can either resurface in the same area or cause a new pimple nearby.

Thirdly, picking at your skin can create a sore, which often looks worse than the actual pimple. Regular blemishes that are left to heal on their own are usually able to be camouflaged with concealer. However, an open sore can ooze, hurt, and bleed, and is redder and more difficult to hide using makeup. In addition, sores appear unhealthier than a basic blemish, which is an extremely common occurrence.

In addition to the blemish-causing effects of picking at acne-prone skin, picking should be avoided due to its ability to create scars. If there’s one thing you want to avoid, it’s acne scars! While acne scars can be diminished with an acne scar treatment, you’ll never be able to fully remove them. This means that even after your skin has cleared up, you’ll still have scars to remind you of your struggle with acne.

So, how do you put this acne tip into practice and break the habit of picking at your skin? Some of these suggestions may sound too simple to work, but they’re tried-and-true solutions that promise to help you achieve clearer, healthier skin.

1) Stop Looking In The Mirror
Sounds silly, right? It’s not! One of the main habits that lead to skin picking is over-obsessing in front of the mirror. Try avoiding staring at your skin in the mirror, reserving mirror time for applying makeup, doing your hair, and other primping needs. Throw out your magnifying mirror, too — these will only lead to imagined imperfections and, of course, picking!

2) Do Something With Your Hands
A lot of skin picking happens during times of idleness, like while one is in class or watching TV. When you’re able, practice a hand-occupying hobby, like Sudoku, knitting, or drawing. These hobbies will keep your hands too busy to pick at your skin, plus they’ll prove to be beneficial in other areas of your life! (For in-class solutions, try wearing jewelry that you can fiddle with until you break the picking habit.)

3) Apply Acne Treatment Products
If your blemishes are covered by a treatment for acne, you’ll be less likely to pick at them. It’s the same concept behind applying a bad-tasting product to your fingernails to keep from biting. If you know picking your blemishes will leave you with a now-wasted acne treatment under your nails, you won’t want to mess with them.

source:flickr by:frankdasilva

Acne FAQs: Can Allergies Cause Acne?

We often talk about the hormonal causes of acne, but did you know that immune system responses can also trigger pimples and pustules? You’ve probably noticed that you breakout more easily when you’re sick, due in part to your immune system fighting the illness. Like a virus, food allergies and sensitivities can also cause the immune system to react. This, in turn, means that food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances can help cause acne breakouts.

Allergic reactions (like inflammation, rash, and more severe symptoms) occur when the body is unable to properly digest the food that you’re allergic to. This allows improperly digested food particles to enter into the bloodstream. Because these food particles aren’t broken down into the individual nutrients that your body expects, your brain will tell your immune system that the body has been invaded, just as it would in the case of bacteria or viral infection. This causes the entire body to experience inflammation, which can lead to a slew of other allergy symptoms.

Any food allergy can lead to inflammatory acne, but dairy, lectin, and gluten are the most common culprits. Let’s take a look at these common food allergens, where they’re found, and how they can be avoided.

Dairy
A dairy product is generally considered to be any food product containing cow’s milk. Occasionally, a dairy product will instead be made with goat’s, sheep’s, or buffalo’s milk, but the dominating raw ingredient of choice is cow’s milk.

Milk allergy, or lactose intolerance, is an extremely common allergy. In fact, many people believe that pasteurized and homogenized cow’s milk is simply indigestible by humans. This is due to the fact that the aforementioned processes destroy the milk’s natural enzymes which allow it to be comfortably digested. (This is supported by the fact that, barring an extreme milk allergy, lactose intolerant people can drink raw cow’s milk with no ill effects.)

Dairy products include everything from pure milk to cheese, yogurt and ice cream. There are a bevy of cow’s milk alternatives on the market, including soy, nut, and hemp milk, as well as cheese, yogurt, ice cream and more made with milk alternatives.

If you have a true milk allergy, or even particularly harsh lactose intolerance, you may want to consider using skin care products formulated without the use of dairy. Many skin care moisturizers, face cleansers, and even acne treatment products contain dairy due to its naturally exfoliating and moisturizing properties.

Lectin
Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that are present in most plants and animals. They assist their home carrier in many immunological functions, as well as protein synthesis and delivery. However, when ingested by an outside source, lectins wreak havoc on the digestive system by attaching themselves to the walls of the intestines. This can cause intestinal damage, cellular death, compromised villi, leaky gut, and more. In addition, these damages cause the body to redirect important resources to the now-damaged gut, resulting in fewer nutrients that are able to be used by the body for its every day needs.

Although lectins are found in most foods, some foods contain only trace amounts, while others are filled to the brim. Rather than scare yourself out of eating ever again for fear of lectin-induced intestinal damage, try limiting your intake of some of the main offenders, including grains, soy, legumes, and tomatoes. Because lectins are so prevalent, removing them from your diet is literally impossible. However, knowing the highest lectin sources and limiting your overall intake will significantly improve your overall health, as well as your intolerance-related acne.

Gluten
Found mostly in grains, gluten is the composite of two proteins — gliadin and glutenin. Gluten sensitivity is a very common occurrence, though life-threatening allergy (known as celiac disease) is fairly rare. Sensitivity-induced reaction almost always takes the form of dermatitis, but other symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues are by no means unusual.

Gluten is found in many food products, including everything from bread to candy bars. While true gluten allergy is rare, many people are choosing to give up gluten, claiming improved health, clearer skin, and quality of life. This has led to a boom in gluten-free food products, making it easy to steer clear of the ingredient.

Acne induced by food allergies may be treated with traditional adult acne treatments; however, your condition will only be improved on the surface. In order to truly rid your skin of allergy-related acne, it is necessary to remove the offending foods from your diet, in addition to using acne treatments.

source:flickr by:doug88888

Accutane, also known as Roaccutane or Isotretinoin, is a vitamin A derivative meant to treat severe acne. Taken orally in pill form for anywhere from 15 to 20 weeks, Accutane has been used since 1979 to provide dramatic healing to those experiencing the worst forms of acne. It almost always provides extreme, and sometimes permanent, clarification of the skin, making it one of the best acne treatments on the market. However, Accutane comes with a laundry list of side effects, ranging from irritating to devastating.

Because of Accutane’s efficacy, it’s being prescribed more and more often to those experiencing mild to moderate acne. While this may seem logical, Accutane’s serious side effect risks turn this into a rather controversial issue. Why use an aggressive acne treatment with many known side effects when a gentler acne treatment product would suffice? The answer is unsurprising; patients enjoy the convenience of a pill with the promise of results. Many ignore the side effect warnings, keeping their eyes only on the goal of clear skin. Unfortunately, these patients are often the ones who are later blindsided by anything from allergic reaction to life-threatening conditions.

For the sake of promoting a complete understanding of the health risks associated with Accutane, below you will find a comprehensive list of possible side effects. If you are considering using Accutane to treat your acne, please be sure to research each of these possible risks as thoroughly as you are able.

• Abnormal blood tests
• Abnormal menses
• Alopecia
• Anemia (low iron)
• Arthritis, which can be acute and long-lasting
• Birth defects (Accutane should never be taken by a pregnant or lactating woman)
• Bleeding of the gums
• Blood disease
• Bone overgrowth
• Bumps on the skin that may ooze or bleed
• Calcification of bones, tendons, and ligaments
• Depression, possibly severe
• Dry skin, lips and mouth
• Eczema
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Hair loss
• Hair overgrowth, particularly in women
• Headaches
• Hearing issues
• Hives
• Increased pressure within the skull
• Inflammation of the gums
• Inflammation of the lips
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Inflammatory bowl disease
• Joint pain
• Low back pain
• Low blood platelet count
• Low white blood cell count
• Muscle pain
• Nail issues
• Neurological issues
• Nosebleeds
• Rapid and severe breakdown of muscle tissue
• Rash
• Reduced blood flow, particularly to the brain
• Respiratory issues
• Severe allergic reaction
• Sun sensitivity
• Tendonitis
• Vision problems
• Yellow deposits on the eyes

Although the range of possible side effects is wide and filled with serious health concerns, Accutane is truly one of the most effective treatments for acne on the market. If you are at low risk for experiencing the more serious side effects associated with Accutane, and you are a sufferer of severe acne, Accutane could be the answer for you. Adversely, if you are experiencing mild to moderate acne, it would be wise to begin with a gentle acne treatment, such as a cleanser and acne spot treatment formulated with salicylic acid, before turning to such an aggressive answer to your breakouts.

Source: flickr.com user rbmay

For the Ladies: Acne, Period.

It’s no secret: most women experience a higher number of acne breakouts during their period, as well as during other times of hormonal imbalance. One of the most common acne FAQs is about hormonally-caused acne. How do you treat hormonal acne breakouts? Can you prevent them from occurring? Which hormones cause the breakout? The questions are endless. Thankfully, there’s a clear answer for every source of befuddlement!

An Overview
There are many hormones which contribute to the formation of acne blemishes. Anabolic steriods, corticosteroids, ACTH, testosterone, and gonadotropins can all have acne-inducing effects. These flare-ups can also be caused or exacerbated by glucocorticosteroids, a hormone that’s increased by higher stress levels. For this basic overview, I’ll stick to the main hormones that lead to a woman’s cyclical acne.

During the menstrual cycle, different hormones experience increase and decrease of production. As a basic overview, the ovaries produce both estrogen (female hormone) and testosterone (male hormone. In the beginning of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels increase as an egg matures in the ovary. The estrogen has many functions, including masking testosterone in order to allow ovulation to occur. When the egg is released (ovulation), estrogen levels begin to drop. During this time, progesterone, which has qualities of both androgens and estrogen, levels begin to increase in order to prepare the uterine lining for the implantation of a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized and/or implanted, progesterone levels drop, leading to the woman’s period.

The progesterone made during the menstrual cycle is meant to compete with androgens (the main cause of acne). If the progesterone was able to properly control androgen production, the effects of the androgens would never make an appearance in the form of acne. However, some women make too much testosterone (an androgen), making it difficult for the progesterone to win its struggle with your body’s androgens. Other women make too little estrogen, which is essential for masking the body’s testosterone. The most common cause of androgen-related acne, however, is a woman’s natural sensitivity to her body’s normal levels of androgens.

Treatment and Prevention
Hormonal acne can be controlled or prevented by women through birth control and other forms of hormonal supplementation. However, these types of acne treatments do not come without their health risks. In addition, this form of treatment does not always work, and many women cannot use hormonal supplements due health reasons or religious beliefs. If hormonal acne treatment is not an option for you, you can turn to natural acne treatments and topical acne treatment products.

Most adult acne treatments provide great results when used on hormonally-caused acne. If topical treatment doesn’t seem to clear up your monthly acne, it may be wise to up your acne treatment regimen during times of hormonal flare-ups. By adding an acne spot treatment or clarifying night mask, you may be able to get your cyclical breakouts under control without turning to hormone treatment therapy.



source:flickr by:soartsyithurts

Acne Tips: Care for Your Hair

Did you know that your hair can exacerbate or even cause acne? Think about it; do you breakout more often when you have bangs? Do you notice a correlation between greasy hair and oily skin? Chances are if you answered ‘yes’ to either (or both) of those questions, your acne is made worse by your hair. Hair-related acne is most common on the face, but it can even occur on the neck, shoulders and back if the hair is long enough.

If you want to know how to get rid of acne caused by your hair, the steps are simple and easy to remember. Taking better care of your hair and being mindful of letting your skin breathe will help clarify the skin, leading to a healthier and more beautiful complexion.

As your first step, be sure to pin back bangs whenever possible. If you have bangs and severe forehead acne, you might want to consider growing your bangs out. Although bangs can sometimes be comforting to hide behind, the products used on the hair can irritate and worsen acne, plus bangs form a barrier between your skin and the environment. This barrier traps oils and bacteria against the skin while making it difficult for the skin to breathe and function properly.

The next step to reducing acne is to stop playing with your hair. We all know that picking at our skin makes acne worse, but when you have hair-caused acne, playing with your hair can be just as harmful as picking your skin! When you run your fingers through your hair, you’re picking up oils, product residue, debris, and more. Then, when your fingers touch your face, all of these unwanted substances end up in your pores. To help “train” yourself to leave your hair alone, pull it back into a simple ponytail for a couple days. (Remember to pin back your bangs if you have them!) After a few days of this, you’ll hopefully lose the desire to mess with your hair.

Lastly, look at your beauty hair products. Shampoos, conditioners and styling products formulated with natural ingredients are less likely to worsen acne. Sodium laureth sulfate and other common hair care ingredients can be harsh and irritating to the skin, especially sensitive skin types such as acne-prone skin. Eliminating these ingredients from your beauty care regimen will help the skin (and hair) regain balance and beauty. Simply read the ingredients lists of your products and replace those containing harsh chemicals with naturally-minded products containing nourishing and gentle botanicals. Also, be sure to wash your hair before you cleanse your face in order to rinse away any remaining shampoo or conditioner residue.

With these easy steps in mind, you’re well on your way to eradicating hair-caused acne. Though it may take a little while to get used to a new hair care regimen, your skin will surely thank you for your efforts!

source:flickr by:incurable_hippie

How to Properly Cover Acne Blemishes

Aside from actually getting rid of acne, the most important thing to most acne-sufferers is knowing how to effectively cover acne blemishes. While concealing zits may sound simple, it can often become frustrating and time-consuming, and may even worsen acne. Thankfully, there are a few acne tips and tricks that will make covering breakouts simpler, easier and faster.

Cleanse
As with most acne tips, step one is cleansing the complexion. Use a mild, non-abrasive cleanser formulated with your favorite acne ingredient, such as salicylic or lactic acid. Be sure to cleanse your hands as well to avoid transferring dirt or bacteria from your fingers to your face. After cleansing, apply an acne spot treatment if you feel that it’s necessary.

Moisturize
Dry zits are much harder to camouflage than “fresh” zits. Using a non-greasy, non-comedogenic moisturizer before applying a concealer will help create a smoother texture and more natural appearance. If a pimple is particularly dry and flaky, you can apply a thick coating of a petroleum jelly-based skin care product and leave it on for a few minutes. Apply a warm compress to the skin for a few moments, then use the compress to wipe away the excess product to reveal a suppler and smoother skin texture.

Conceal
The number one tip to remember when applying concealer is that less is more. If too much concealer is applied, it will appear dry and cakey, making your blemish even more noticeable. Using your application tool of choice (a brush, sponge, or clean fingertips all work great), dab a small amount of concealer on and around your zit. Gently blend outward to create a natural-looking finish. After concealing, even the complexion with your favorite makeup base. A mineral makeup pressed foundation is ideal for acne-prone skin, as it sets concealer and helps control excess shine.

Remove
Cleansing your face at the end of the day is an important step on the road to achieving clearer skin. When skin care makeup is left on overnight, it’s more likely to enter the pores and interact with bacteria, causing blemishes, irritation, and unhealthy skin. Taking five minutes to remove makeup and cleanse away the dirt, debris, bacteria, and oil of the day will help clarify your skin while preparing you mentally for bed.