Do the words "benzoyl peroxide" scare you? To some people, this cheap, common and effective acne treatment brings to mind weird chemical compounds concocted in some mad scientists lab. Sometimes, in my more paranoid moods, I too feel a bit creeped out by the thought of voluntarily applying this stuff to my face. There is really no problem, though. This chemical has been used as an over-the-counter remedy for acne for many decades, and no connection to any malignant diseases have been reported so far.
Still, it is partly due to strange and complicated chemical names like these which have fuelled the public's search for natural acne remedies and treatments. Here is a list of natural compounds which people have successfully used to get rid of acne:
Salicylic acid. Don't laugh. I don't agree that salicylic acid is a natural acne treatment, but some experts claim otherwise, including a doctor at the Mayo Clinic. Maybe it was natural before the big cosmetics companies got their hands on it. Still, like benzoyl peroxide, there is no doubt that it works for many people.
Tea tree oil. This is the most famous natural acne remedy. You can easily find many commercial preparations in various concentrations. It is more expensive than benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, but it, too, has been shown to work for many people. The downside is that there is no standard for measuring the concentration. You are best off choosing a brand which has a wide range of different concentrations, starting with the lowest concentration to make sure there are no side effects for you. Yes, even natural acne treatments like tea tree oil can have side effects, not just lab-created treatments like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Olive oil extract. This is not well-known to the public, but has long been used in the Mediterranean, dating all the way back to ancient Greece. So all of you pale-faced white men of Anglo-Saxon extract can go ask your Greek and Roman friends what the best local brands are and how to use it.
Licorice root extract. Another ancient natural acne treatment, also thousands of years old. It is better known for treating upset stomachs, but is quite capable in getting rid of your acne as well.
Green tea extract. This is a natural acne remedy from the far-East. Better known for its effect on cancer and cholesterol, its extract is nonetheless effective against acne.
Aloe vera extract. This is quite well-known as a healing agent in some places. Also effective in helping to heal your pimples.
Which of these should you use? Frankly, different remedies, natural or otherwise, have different levels of effectiveness on different people. There are times when tea tree oil works for me, there are times when I need to switch to benzoyl peroxide. If you only rarely get acne breakouts, then you may prefer to stick to the lab-based chemicals since they have a longer shelf-life. The natural stuff do not last as long, but you can extend their life by keeping them in your refrigerator.
About the Author
Are you looking for natural acne skin care techniques? Visit http://acnecure.kelvinmart.com/ to learn step-by-step, permanent acne care treatment.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Preventing and Treating Acne
Acne can be avoided by treating the facial skin in certain ways. One thing that can be done to avoid it is to keep the face clean. This may sound obvious, but one other thing to consider is the fact that if you begin scrubbing your face really hard, it can strip away essential oils. This can make the acne problem worse.
Anything that you put near your face can transfer bacteria and oil onto it, which can cause acne. Even your own hair can be a problem. Also, keeping out of the sun helps to prevent acne. The diet is also important. Although things like pizza and chocolate are believed to cause acne, they don't for everyone. Some people are just sensitive to certain foods in that respect.
If you do get acne, it's not as hard to treat as you might think. Washing with the right over-the-counter products does work. Try not to pick at them because this can make the problem worse. The reason for this is that it can cause the spots to go deeper beneath the skin's surface.
Some people think that acne takes a long time to get rid of. This is not always the case. Often changing your diet can treat it. Omega 3 is a good think to have, as this contains oils which counter it. Fibers should be plentiful in the diet because they can help wash out any toxins that may be causing it.
Another possibility is that the body may not be getting enough vitamins. In this case, fresh fruit and vegetables are the answer. They will make a good contribution to loading up vitamins and minerals.
These are all things that can help prevent and treat acne. Hopefully, this will help you to stop getting it, or be able to overcome it if you do.
View my blog here: http://preventingacne.blogspot.com/
About the Author
Anything that you put near your face can transfer bacteria and oil onto it, which can cause acne. Even your own hair can be a problem. Also, keeping out of the sun helps to prevent acne. The diet is also important. Although things like pizza and chocolate are believed to cause acne, they don't for everyone. Some people are just sensitive to certain foods in that respect.
If you do get acne, it's not as hard to treat as you might think. Washing with the right over-the-counter products does work. Try not to pick at them because this can make the problem worse. The reason for this is that it can cause the spots to go deeper beneath the skin's surface.
Some people think that acne takes a long time to get rid of. This is not always the case. Often changing your diet can treat it. Omega 3 is a good think to have, as this contains oils which counter it. Fibers should be plentiful in the diet because they can help wash out any toxins that may be causing it.
Another possibility is that the body may not be getting enough vitamins. In this case, fresh fruit and vegetables are the answer. They will make a good contribution to loading up vitamins and minerals.
These are all things that can help prevent and treat acne. Hopefully, this will help you to stop getting it, or be able to overcome it if you do.
View my blog here: http://preventingacne.blogspot.com/
About the Author
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