Acne can hit you at the worst time, causing breakouts without regard to age or gender. Most of those that suffers from acne, though, are between 12 and 24. Just about 80% of people who are in this age group get some acne and of those 26% will get permanent scarring that will range from minimal to noticeable at a glance.
Those over 24, though, can still suffer from the effects of acne. The American Dermatologist Association reports that 20% of all adults have active acne. This translates to the fact that 60 million American teens through adults have active acne skin lesions and 20 million of those have acne that is extensive enough to cause scars. Surprisingly, only about 10% of those affected with acne will try to get treatment, but this is due, in part, to the way people look down on those with acne.
There is hope, though, for acne sufferers. Once you know what causes acne, the things that help and the things that don't help and how to prevent your acne, you can make the necessary changes to get skin that is clear and glowing.
What Causes Acne?
While acne is not contagious, there are some known factors that do increase your chances of getting acne skin lesions. Generally, acne is caused when the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. Other causes can include:
- An inherited tendency towards acne or genetics
- Hormones and hormone imbalances
- Some illnesses
- Over washing the skin
- Cosmetics that are oil based
- Some prescribed medications
- Stress and anxiety
- Poor cleansing of the skin
- Physical irritation
Don't Waste your Time (or Money)
While some acne remedies work, many will not. When selecting an over the counter remedy, be wary. Many of the acne products on the shelves today have harsh components that can dry out your skin, and could even make your acne worse. Choose your acne products carefully and seek out products that are easy on your skin.
What Really Works
Four things are guaranteed to help acne. Together they pack a powerful punch to make acne a thing of the past.
- Healthy diet
- Water
- Proper cleansing
- Adequate sleep
To treat acne you currently are suffering from, use natural products such as tea tree oil which has strong antiseptic properties and is really effective. Witch hazel is a helpful skin toner and it can give you a healthy glow. Mint is a good spot treatment, especially for cystic acne. It will cool and sooth the skin and kill bacteria in the process.
A good cleansing mask that you can make in a couple of minutes is an egg white and corn starch mask. Make a paste with the egg white and corn starch. Apply it to clean skin and allow it to dry. Remove with a wet washcloth and then rinse. You will find yourself with great skin.
An Ounce of Prevention
Prevention is an easy way to avoid acne. The best way to prevent acne is to take good care of yourself. A simple, diet without much fat that includes a good variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains will help keep your skin free of zits. Dark green leafy vegetables, like spinach, are great acne fighters. You should also drink plenty of fresh water to keep your body hydrated. Getting enough sleep is another easy beauty tool. Physicians recommend approximately seven hours of sleep a night.
Finally, proper cleansing of your skin is necessary for keeping it clear. You should cleanse your skin every day. If you wear cosmetic makeup, take it off each night before retiring for the night. When washing your skin, use a cleanser that is gentle and be sure that the water is not too hot. Don't scrub or over cleanse because that can make your acne worse. Rinse your skin well and blot dry with a clean towel. When you make an effort to prevent acne, you won't have to worry about it.
Would it be great to have the luxury of a beauty salon right in the middle of your home? Yes! if you have the time, enthusiasm and energy, consider making your own organic cosmetics and toiletries. All you need is a few common ingredients available at your own kitchen refrigerator, or at your local grocery and drug store, a few recipes, a little time and you're set. It's not only cheap, safe and healthy, but you also get the delight of customizing your own beauty regimen. Here are simple easy to do organic cosmetics for your convenience
Organic Cosmetics for your Face
Banana Facial (good for dry skin)
Ingredients:
2 medium Bananas
Honey (optional)
Directions:
Mash bananas with a fork dont over mash or it will be too runny. Add honey if dseired. Smooth over skink, let sit for 10 minutes, rinses off with coll water.
Apple Facial Mask (good for acne prone skin)
Ingredients:
1 medium size apple (grated)
5 tablespoons of honey
Directions:
Mix the grated apple with honey to make a mask. Smooth over skin then let sit for 10 minutes, rinse off with cool water.
Carrot Top Facial Mask (good for normal-Oily skin)
Ingredients:
2 to 3 large carrots
4 and 1/2 tablespoons of honey
Directions:
Cook carrots then mash. Mix with honey. Apply gently to the skin, wait 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Gentle Facial Cleanser Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of oatmeal or cornmeal plain yogurt (add enough yogurt to form a paste)
Directions:
For a gentle facial cleanser, mix ingredien6ts, smooth over entire face avoiding eye area. Wash off with warm water.
Organic Cosmetics for your Hair
Tropical Conditioner
Ingredients:
1 avocado (peeled and mashed)
coconut milk
Directions:
Combine mashed avocado with some coconut milk. Mash together until it's smooth and about as thick as shampoo. Comb it through the hair and let it sit for 10 minutes, wash out.
Deep Conditioner (avocados contains vitamin b6 and vit E)
Ingredients:
1 small jar of real mayonnaise
1/2 of an avocado
Directions:
Put together in a meduim bowl and squish together with your hands until it's a minty green color. Smooth into hair all the way to the tips. Put on a shower capo or wrap your head with saran wrap.
Leave on for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning put a hot damp of towel around your head over the saran wrap. And if you have a really long hair and only need deep conditioning at the ends, cut the ingredients in half and apply only to the ends and just wrap them.
Egg Conditioner
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon baby oil
1 egg yolk
1 cup water
Directions:
Beat the egg yolk until it's frothy, add the oil then beat again. Add water. Massage into the scalp and throughout your hair. Rinse well.
Pimple attacks are common among teenagers. But acne may persist in adulthood because of hormonal imbalance or too much estrogen (maybe that's why i still have some). During menstruation and menopause, stress due to emotional problems, and a bad diet.
A more direct cause of acne is dirt and dead skin that accumulates inside oily pores, clogging them and causing a raise buildup.When a bacteria enters the picture, pimples occur. Other causes can include allergies, dehydration, heredity, and weakened immunity.
Simple Prevention - First treat the surrounding skin area, not just the spot where the pimple is. This will not just heal the pimple but also prevent recurrence. And second do not over wash. Excessive washing will make skin even oilier and more likely to break out again. Also resist the temptation to pop your pimples. Touching causes inflammation making it more infected than it already is. Follow a sensible skin care regimen, including a mild toner that maintains the PH-balance of your skin and keeps it from dying out or getting too oily. Use the toner after washing with a medicated facial wash.
