Acne Remedies

Javier Hunter just spied his first zit before going to his Computer Literacy class. You can just imagine his feelings as he figured that everyone was checking on him. Fortunately for Javier there is hope for his acne.

Acne is an equal opportunity destroyer, attacking without regard to age or gender. The majority of those that {suffer|suffers| from acne, though, are young adults and teens. Nearly eighty five percent of people who fall within this group suffer from acne and of those 23% will experience extended scarring that can be anything from mild to severe.

Those over 24, though, are not immune from the skin lesions of acne. The American Dermatologist Association reports that 20% of all those over the age of 24 have active acne lesions. This  approximately 60 million American adults and teens have active acne and 20 million of them have acne that is severe enough to cause permanent scars. Surprisingly, only about 12% of those having acne will ask for medical advice, but this is partly due to the social stigma that acne carries.

There is reason to hope, though, for those affected with acne. On learning what causes acne, what helps and the things that don't help and how to prevent facial acne, you can make sure to get skin that is glowing.

What Causes Acne?

While not contagious, there are several things that do contribute to a case of having acne lesions. Simply put, acne is caused when the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. Other causes might include:

* An inherited tendency towards acne or genetics  * Cosmetics that are oil based  * Hormones and hormone imbalances  * Some prescribed medications  * Pollutants in the environment  * Some illnesses  * Over washing the skin  * Humidity  * Poor cleansing of the skin

Don?t Waste your Time (or Money)

While some acne solutions will work, many don't. When buying an over the counter remedy, be careful. Lots of the acne remedies on the shelves today have harsh ingredients that can dry out your skin, and could even make your acne worse. Pick your acne products with care and seek out products that are easy on your skin.

What Really Works

Four things really will help acne. Together they pack a powerful punch to make acne a former problem.

* Healthy diet  * Water  * Proper cleansing  * Adequate sleep

To treat acne you already have, use natural products like tea tree oil which has strong antiseptic effects and is really quite effective. Witch hazel is a helpful skin toner and it can provide a healthy glow. Mint is a good spot treatment, especially for cystic acne. It has properties that cool and sooth the skin and kill bacteria in the process.

A good cleansing and firming mask that you can make yourself is a corn starch and egg white mask. Make a paste with the egg white and corn starch. Apply it to your clean skin and allow it to dry. Take it off later with a moist washcloth and then rinse. You will end up with zit free skin.

An Ounce of Prevention?

Prevention will definitely help you avoid acne in the first place. The best way to avoid acne is to take care of your health. A sensible, low fat diet that includes lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables will help keep you acne free. Dark green leafy vegetables, like swiss chard, are strong acne fighters. You should also drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Adequate sleep is another easy beauty tool. Doctors want you to get about seven hours of sleep a night.

One final thing, proper cleansing of your skin is very important for keeping it clear. Take time to cleanse your skin at least once a day. If you wear cosmetic makeup, make sure that you remove it each nightbefore retiring for the night. When you wash your skin, use a cleanser that is gentle and be sure that the water is not too hot. Don?t scrub because that can make your acne worse. Rinse well and blot dry with a clean towel. When you take the time to prevent acne, you won?t have to spend time getting rid of it.