Different Types of Acne - Acne skin care Information

Acne Skin Care - Natural Treatment Information

Acne is the most common skin disorder known today. Nearly 80 million teenagers and adults suffer from acne skin in North America alone, and will require some acne skin treatment.

Skin experts (dermatologists) and practitioners recommend several natural acne treatments. Acne skin care is essential to your health and well being. Here are some that we have compiled just for you.

Wash your face twice a day (thrice at most) with gentle and unperfumed cleanser. Avoid using soaps as they contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that can damage your skin.

Avoid touching your face. Stop putting your hands by your face! I am often guilty of this resting my hand on the side of my head while reading. Also rubbing or bracing your chin is another common problem when thinking. Avoid rubbing, touching, or scratching your skin with your hands. Your hands contain a lot of bacteria that can cause acne flare-ups. It is probably one of the most difficult things to avoid since much of the hand to face contact throughout the day we are unconscious of. Make it a habit to avoid hand contact and be conscious of it during the day to avoid bacteria.

Avoid the temptation to pick, prick and squeeze your acne, in fact consciously force yourself to not do it. This will send the infection deeper into the skin and can cause severe scarring.

For mild to moderate acne, you can use over-the-counter topical ointments, solutions, lotions or gels that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or azelaic acid as an alternative to benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is best at killing P. acnes and may reduce oil production. Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur help break down blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the oil glands.

Topical antibiotic solutions and lotions can also be applied.

Tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic and antibacterial agent and has a drying effect on the skin. It keeps the P. Acnes bacteria at bay along with decreasing facial oiliness, which makes this oil a worthwhile investment.

Sulfur helps to heal existing blemishes by unblocking pores.

Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acids (AHA or BHA) works by keeping the skin exfoliated. Glycolic acid, the most well known of the bunch is a useful adjuvant therapy for mild acne. Mandelic acid, a lesser known one, but one that combines the keratolytic properties of glycolic acid, with natural antibacterial properties that help reduce the presence of P. acnes, may be considered a more effective alpha hydroxy acid in treating acne lesions. It is also much less irritating than glycolic acid, a factor that may be very important to those with sensitive skin who are unable to use other agents such as Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid. It is effective in treating mild cases of acne on its own, and can be used successfully with other therapies on moderate acne.

These treatments are usually effective for mild to moderate acne skin problems only. The effectiveness usually takes several weeks or approximately three to six months to be noticed. For more severe and serious acne skin care conditions, do not hesitate to consult your dermatologist.

It's never too late to start taking care of your skin. If you're young and having problems with zits and other blemishes, now is the perfect time to start a acne skin care regimen. If you're in your 40s and beyond, the care you give to your skin now will benefit you invaluably for the rest of your life.