Monday, December 05, 2005

Natural Acne Treatment! Healing Your Skin Naturally, The Way Nature Intended

Natural Acne Treatment! Healing Your Skin Naturally, The Way Nature Intended

by William Lezubski

Nature has a powerful way of healing the body, and when it comes to helping you eliminate your blemish breakouts, a natural acne treatment may be the only solution!
Growing up as a child we were always taught to eat our fruits and vegetables, take our vitamins, and drink lots of water to stay healthy. So when it comes to taking care of our skin, why does society turn to quick skincare fixes, like the over-the-counter topical solutions that are loaded with medicinal ingredients we cant even pronounce correctly?
Natural acne treatments have been around for many years, and in most cases the ingredients can be found in products sitting in your kitchen cupboards, such as honey, green tea, Echinacea, Avocado, sunflower oil, and possibly even jojoba.
Using natural products for your acne treatment may be a new experience, or you may have used other natural treatments that didnt include certain effective ingredients in your cream cleanser, or topical solutions, whichever the case may be, I will explain each natural product and briefly tell you their features and benefits.
Your Skins Natural Health Starts With An Effective Skincare Combination!
Some of the top skincare companies online have taken many of the helpful ingredients, such as the herbs, fruits, and oils mentioned above, and have combined them to create a perfect balance of acne products that are safe for most, if not all skin types.
Below we have provided a list of natural healing ingredients, and where they are most beneficial in the battle of blemishes, and the healing of your acne condition. However, please keep in mind that although these oil extracts and herbs are natural substances, they may not be proven to work as theyre intended, or provide the value added features that are claimed in each and every skincare product. Concentration levels play a large part in the effectiveness, and should be made aware of when choosing your desired product.
Natural Antioxidants:
There are a number of select herbs and plant extracts that offer your skin natural antioxidants such as the Burdock root, Green Tea, Irish Moss, Kelp, Olive Leaf Extract, Walnut Seed extract, as well as Witch Hazel, Sage, Vitamin C, B, E, K, Balm Mint, Chamomile, Linden Flower, Grape Seed, and Pine Bark.
There has been a range of small to significant amounts of research on the items above, and one thing that has been established in the researches are the fact that they all offer antioxidant agents that can be beneficial in your select skin care products you choose. They will help in getting rid of many of the impurities in you skin, and assist your skin in healing naturally.
Natural Antibacterial:
In many of your natural skincare product you will find properties included such as Cinnamon, Neem, Tea Tree oil, and Echinacea. These items are known to have natural forms of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Unlike many of the herbs and spices above, many of them may not have proven effects other than the Tea Tree plant. It has been proven to be effective against bacteria that cause blemishes, and usually the concentration level should be around 5 - 10% to show results. However, most skin care products only offer less than 1%, which is considered ineffective.
Natural Anti-inflammatory:
Your acne condition may include inflamed pimples, and many natural acne products will include ingredients such as Cucumber, Licorice extract, Oatmeal, and Willow Bark extract. These items contain anti-inflammatory and also soothing properties, and the Willow Bark root is known to offer relief to your pain caused by inflamed blemishes. It contains salicin, which your body converts to salicylic acid, and provides the same effects of aspirin.
Natural Oil Absorbing:
If you have done your research, you would know that a build-up of excess oil on your skin and in your pores are a major contributor to acne conditions on you skin. Many natural properties such as the Konjac Root known more as a dietary fibre benefit, and Charcoal, which is derived from baked wood, and is mainly made up of carbon, are both beneficial in providing oil-absorbing features. The Konjac Root is added to many skin care products, where the Charcoal is normally offered in a form of a facial mask.
Natural Emollients and Skin Soothing Properties:
While herbal products contain many natural facial treatment ingredients to help eliminate pimples and blackheads on you skin, you will normally find a combination of acne ingredients with a mixture of natural emollients and skin soothing properties.
Such natural ingredients you can find will range from the well known Aloe Vera, which is more known to promote the healing of wounds, to many others such as Avocado, Jojoba, Sunflower oil, Mimosa, Allantoin, Coconut, and AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), which is derived from various plants sources, or from milk. These natural items offer your skin a soothing effect, and/or provide anti-irritant properties.
Acne treatment products that contain chemicals that you just dont feel are right for you its good to know that nature has its way of offering natural healing options to get rid of your acne blemishes. It is important to really understand how these natural remedies, or fully developed products work, and it is also necessary to know the true values of herbal and plant extract concentrations in the acne solution youre using. Even though many of the treatment terms claim their offering top treatment ingredients, you must know that certain natural properties are no good to you at very low concentrations, and wind up being another disappointment in your search for a quality natural acne fighting product.


About the author: William is the owner and the author of "1st In Acne Skin Care Products" available at www.1st-in-acne-skin-care-products.com A great source for Natural acne products! Find information and tips on finding quality natural acne treatment products.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Managing Acne and Dispelling Myths

Managing Acne and Dispelling Myths

by Jay B Stockman

Improper hygiene, poor diet, stress and sexual behavior were thought to be causes of acne, but in reality the causes are unclear. What is clear is the cascade of events that form acne. Hair follicles, or pores, become blocked by oil, which normally drains to the surface of the skin. This blockage occurs way below the skin surface, and causes the pores to collapse. At this point bacteria begin to overgrow, resulting in the formation of a white head. If this trapped oil, and bacteria partially reaches the surface, a black head is formed. Acne affects most teenagers, however this condition is not restricted to any age group; adults get acne as well. In addition, acne can occur on the face, neck, back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms. While not life threatening, acne has a profound social effect, and if severe enough, can lead to permanent scarring. Avoiding acne is a difficult task; treating acne has become more manageable.Contrary to popular belief, face scrubbing with an abrasive washcloth will cause skin irritation, and worsen the problem. A gentle cleanser twice per day, that does not over dry the skin, would be the better alternative. Avoid using any bar soaps, which can irritate the area. Research has been done on the efficacy of different antibacterial alternatives. Several studies have shown that a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide solution has a very high acne bacteria kill rate, and is not subject to bacteria tolerance. Applying Benzoyl Peroxide liberally to the infected area should improve the acne within 10 days. It is important that a moisturizer be used in conjunction, since Benzoyl Peroxide does dry the skin. Further, it is important to check to see if any allergies to Benzoyl Peroxide exist by applying a small amount to the skin, and observe any reactions. Most cases of acne can be easily managed, however there are cases that are extreme, and result in scarring. In cases of extreme acne that cause pain, and scarring it is necessary to see a Dermatologist. Today, virtually every case of acne can be resolved, and future out breaks can be avoided with the appropriate Dermatological care. Several options are available if scarring does occur. Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure whereby the physician attempts to make scars less noticeable by sanding them using a small hand held tool. This procedure is ideal for shallow imperfections. Laser Resurfacing works the same as dermabrasion, utilizing a laser rather than a hand held tool. Skin augmentation is a nonsurgical way to remove small skin depressions caused by acne scars. Various materials are injected into or under the skin to raise the surface and make the scar look smooth. Not only is acne a physical condition, a psychological component is present as well. Acne sufferers can experience, behavioral problems, academic decline, social isolation, substance abuse, depression, even suicide. Teenagers are more vulnerable in this respect because both acne and depressive disorder have a peak incidence during adolescence. Although acne is not a life-threatening disease, appropriate management is vital to its successful resolution.

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Acne Remedies Visit newacne-control.com/ for more information.