5 Proactive Acne Treatments For The Adult Acne Sufferer

Although acne is often thought of as a teenage problem, approximately half of all adults also find themselves dealing with the bothersome skin disease.  Many individuals suffer in silence and embarrassment because they feel that they should have “grown out of it”.

Doctors are not entirely sure what causes acne, or that there is even a reason that applies to all sufferers.  This means that it is very hard to treat and thus you will find several “cures” available for sale either over the counter or on prescription.  These treatments however frequently do not work for adult acne sufferers, because they are formulated for the particular kind of comedonal acne which most teenagers have to deal with.

In their place, the best acne cures for adults come from nature herself and, if you are able to address the cause of your acne, then you will radically lower the number of breakouts and spots that you have. Here are 5 secrets for dealing with adult acne.

1. Stop stressing out!  Adults deal with stress every day, whether it is at work, at home with the kids or from any one of one hundred and one different sources and stress is widely believed to be one of the top causes of adult acne. If you can find some way to relax and eliminate the major stressors in your life you will almost certainly see a lessening of the number of acne breakouts that afflict you.

2. Make sure that you get enough sleep!  Many adults have busy lives and do not get enough sleep to recover from their active days. Try to ensure that you get at least seven hours sleep at night and you should witness an improvement in your acne breakouts.

3. Drink water! If you find yourself rushing around between school, work and home you could be getting dehydrated without even knowing it. Take a bottle of water with you and try to drink at least ten glasses a day. Water helps to flush your body of the impurities that cause acne.

4. Put honey on your spots!  While it may be a little bit messy, putting honey on your spots can help to dry them out faster. Be sure to wash it off in when you wake up in the morning with a natural cleanser or with acne soap or perhaps a goat’s milk soap acne preparation.

5. Take care over your diet! Your diet is often a significant reason for your acne problems. Meat has a thermic effect which can worsen acne breakouts.  Chocolate can also be another offender for some people. Lastly, fried food can also cause an increase in the number and intensity of breakouts. Stay away from these foods therefore if you have numerous acne breakouts.

So what foods help cure acne? Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables can help to lessen your acne breakouts and also provide you with the vitamins which you might be missing out on.  A few adults also place great weight on the part played by a detoxifying cleanse for removing spots.

As you can see, none of the treatments outlined here is complicated and neither do they mean having to purchase expensive acne skin products. Not only is picking a natural pimple treatment an excellent way to help your acne breakouts but it can also spare your pocket book!

Home Acne Remedy – Herbal Acne Cures

There are many herbal acne treatments available for those interested in natural acne treatments.  Some people are too sensitive to acne medication and others just prefer a more natural and holistic approach towards treating acne.  Acne is a painful and embarrassing skin condition that has many causes.  Some of the most common causes of acne include genetic predisposition to acne, hormonal changes, medical conditions, food sensitivities and allergies.

Herbal Acne Options for an All-Natural Acne Treatment

Tea Tree Oil for Acne – Tea tree oil is a good acne treatment, as tea tree oil is an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent.The Melaleuca Alternifolia plant, native to Australia, produces the tea tree oil. Never use essential tea tree oil directly, always dilute it with water to a 5% solution, then apply to your skin using clean cotton balls.  One benefit of tea tree oil is that it causes less irritation than benzoyl peroxide, although it is slightly less effective in curing acne.

Licorice Root for Acne – Licorice root is another great topical acne treatment.  Apply the licorice root directly to your skin and leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse.  The anti-inflammatory properties of licorice root make it a good choice for sensitive skin.

Strawberries for Acne – Strawberries are another surprising natural treatment for acne.Make a poultice by placing wet strawberry leaves into a clean cloth. Apply the poultice to your skin.Another option is to cut the strawberries and apply them to your skin.Leave this on your skin for ten minutes, and then rinse.  You can also mix crushed berries with plan yogurt and apply as a mask.  Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.  It is said that the leaves alter the PH balance of the skin.Salicylic acid is found in strawberry juice, which is also a common ingredient in many acne products.Eat strawberries as well – they help provide vitamins and antiodidants that are good for your skin.

Dandelion for Acne – Dandelion is well known as a detoxifying ingredient for the gallbladder, liver and digestive system.  Detoxifying is one natural acne remedy cure, because it flushes the build up of toxins from the body, which can clear the skin as a result.Just search for your favorite herbal tea at the market. Or if you prefer, there are plenty of recipes on-line.

Garlic for Acne – Garlic is a natural antibiotic and is often touted as a good cure for acne.  Take a few crushed garlic cloves and it with warm water.Apply to blemished using a clean cotton ball. Leave it on the skin for several minutes, then rinse.

As with most natural herbal acne remedies, taking these internally also has a benefit.   So, you can eat strawberries, drink dandelion tea, and eat garlic or take garlic pills as a supplement.  Healing acne from the inside out by following a good acne diet is a good natural acne treatment that works to complement topical acne treatments that are applied to the skin.

Which Acne Creams Work Best?

Some of the most popular acne cream products today contain either antimicrobials or retinoids. Antimicrobials, as their name suggests, kill or inhibit the production of the bacteria that cause acne. On the other hand, retinoids, derived from Vitamin A, unclog pores and stop the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. Below are some examples of these.

Topical Antimicrobials

· Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic. Clindamycin lessens inflammation and reduces acne. Clindamycin has been proven to be safe and well tolerated. However, it may cause side effects such as skin dryness or irritation. It can decrease the bacterial resistance that often occurs when antibiotics are used.

· Erythromycin has both antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory properties. Acne cream preparations that combine erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide have been proven to be very effective. Possible side effects are irritation and dryness of the area treated. It also decreases bacterial resistance caused by using antibiotics.

Topical Retinoids

· Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid that unclogs pores and has moderate to potent anti-inflammatory properties. Dryness and minor skin irritation are possible occurences with use.

· The first retinoid produced for topical (applied to skin) use was Tretinoin. Tretinoin is a natural retinoid which over time unclogs pores, and helps keep them unclogged. Redness, itching, and burning, are some of the side effects observed in users.

Topical Niacinamide (also called Nicotinamide)

After Vitamin-A derived retinoids, the most recent revolutionary treatment for acne comes from a substance called niacinamide. It is made from the B vitamin niacin.

Niacinamide and acne treatment were the subject of a New York State University study, where 76 patients were studied for the acne healing effects of 4% niacinamide gel versus 1% clindamycin gel. The preparations were used on moderate to inflammatory acne, twice daily for eight weeks.

RESULTS…68% of the Clindamycin patients improved, compared to 82% of Niacinamide treated patients. Niacinamide is the preferred choice because it doesn’t diminish bacterial resistance, as Clindamycin is widely known for.

Acnessential, a 4% Niacinamide cream, is one of the most effective acne cream products in the market today. Some advantages are…

· It is natural and safe to use for as long as you need it.
· Niacinamide won’t cause your skin to develop a bacterial resistance, which most antimicrobials do.
· It is perfect for those who have sensitive and/or dry skin and can’t tolerate retinoids very well.

Furthermore, 4% Niacinamide cream (such as Acnessential) can be used alone or alongside antibiotics and even retinoids.

Go visit acne-free-info.com for more information about acne cremes.

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