PharmaPassport Health Tips Blog» Natural Acne Treatments

Natural Acne Treatments

Nicole — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:35:43 +0000

For those of us who are weary of man-made medications, natural treatments often seem like an excellent alternative to the regular prescription acne medications, they’re inexpensive, have few side effects and are easy to store and use – but do they really work? Many natural methods of acne treatment have not been studied as well as the typical acne treatments, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t work. For thousands of years, different cultures have used an array of natural methods to treat many different conditions, and acne is not an exception.

There are several different factors that contribute to acne. Most commonly, acne is the end result of bacterial, inflammatory and hormonal disturbances at the level of the oil pores. There are several natural treatment methods that address different factors which contribute to acne. A change in diet, for example, will affect the hormonal factors that contribute to acne, by supplementing any mineral deficiencies causing any hormonal imbalances. Different topical herbal preparations, with main herbal ingredients such as tea tree oil, basil tea and sandalwood, will address any inflammatory disturbances that have caused acne. Bacterial factors that contribute to acne may also be taken care of by a daily facial cleanse to remove all traces of dirt and bacteria.

Because there are different factors that can contribute to the cause of acne, not every treatment will work for every person. Talk to your dermatologist or doctor about an acne treatment that is likely to work for you, based on the type of acne you have and its severity. If natural products or methods aren’t working as an effective treatment for your acne, you may wish to talk to your dermatologist or doctor about taking an acne medication; either in addition to your natural treatment method or as a single treatment method.

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6 Ways to Clear Up Acne Without Medication

Nicole — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:04:00 +0000

Acne appears on the skin as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts, pustules and congested pores, generally in areas of the body with many oil glands, which are primarily the face, back and chest. Any person may experience some form of acne at any age, although in general most people who experience acne are between the ages of ten and forty. Acne can be treated by various acne treatments that can be found at your local drugstore, however, if you are seeking additional or alternative methods to clear up your skin, these following home remedies may be just what you’re looking for.

6 Ways to Treat Acne at Home

Keep Area Clean – Especially with facial acne, washing the area where you experience acne is important. However, do not over wash area with a rough cloth or scrub too deeply, as this will cause your oil glands to produce more oil, and likely increase your acne.
Sleep on Clean Bedsheets – Pillowcases and sheets absorb the oil from your skin while you sleep, so it is important to clean your sheets regularly.
Adjust Diet – Depending on the root cause of your acne, certain foods are not likely to improve your acne. Foods to avoid include chocolate, tea, coffee, as well as foods that contain hydrogenated oils and trans-fatty acids.
Avoid Aggravation – Picking at your acne or popping pimples rarely improves the condition of your acne, and often will leave skin redder and agitated for a longer period of time.
Use Tea Tree Oil – Tea tree oil is believed to kill bacteria associated in causing acne. Tea tree oil is an extremely popular method of acne treatment and is additionally most effective when applied to problematic areas of skin.
Zinc – Zinc is an essential mineral that is usually left out of one’s regular diet, and can be more effective than antibiotics for wound healing, inflammation control, tissue regeneration and healthy skin. Foods that contain zinc include oysters, herring, wheat germ, soybeans, sunflower seeds and lamb. If it is impossible to incorporate these foods into your regular diet, zinc supplements may be an option as well. However, large amounts of zinc should be taken with caution, as they may lead to further complications including copper deficiencies and anemia.

These methods do not guarantee acne-free skin, and although they have proven to be effective in some patients, every person is different, and may need different treatments to clear up their acne. If your acne persists, talk to a dermatologist about which acne medication is right for you.

Strangest Acne Treatments

Candace — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:35:00 +0000

I’ve heard of countless medications, face washes, cleansers, and toners that are said to cure your acne, but now people are relying on strange methods to cure their skin. Acne occurs on various body parts, but is most common on the face, chest, and back.

Facial Acne

1. For blackheads, tomato is a strange but helpful remedy. Cut a tomato in half or quarters and massage it on your face in the most affected areas. Leave the tomato juice on for 15 minutes. Wash it off with cool water. Tomatoes are the best for oily skin.

2. Egg whites might do the trick. Rub egg whites onto your face and leave them overnight. Another version of this is to mix the egg whites until bubbles form. Rub the mixture on your face and leave it on for 20 – 25 minutes. Rinse off after. A 3rd adaptation to this is to dip a couple of napkins into egg whites and leave these on your face for 20 – 25 minutes. All the methods are said to cure acne or uneven facial tones.

3. Your iPhone! Who knew your iPhone could cure acne. A new application is available which has a minuscule version of professional light treatment. With this application your phone will send out blue and red light. These are the same colors of light skin care professionals use in treatment to cure acne. This is not scientifically proven yet but it is a creative idea.

Chest and Back Acne

1. Mix 2 parts lemon juice and one part yeast and rub it on your chest or back. When it dries wash it off with lukewarm water. Another lemon juice mixture is to combine equal amounts of yogurt, sour cream, ground oatmeal (uncooked) and lemon juice. Then apply this to your chest and wash off after 25 minutes.

2. Prepare a cup of oatmeal as if you were planning on eating it. Rub it on your chest or back. After 15 – 20 minutes wash it off with cool water.

3. After rinsing some lettuce, keep the rinse water. Leave it overnight (with the leaves in it). In the morning, wash your chest or back with this mixture.

4. Combine 2 parts white sugar and one part brown sugar and rub it on your wet chest or back. Rinse it off after 30 minutes.

Although these remedies are strange and unpopular, it has been said that a lot of these work by those who tried the concoctions.

5 Best Acne Medications

Candace — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Acne is a common problem today, not only amongst adolescents but also with adults. There are various solutions for acne. Some are prescription drugs, some are over the counter drugs, and some are natural solutions.

Prescription drugs -
1. Accutane – It is best to use Accutane for only extreme cases of acne problems. Accutane does have various side effects including birth defects, dry and cracked lips, and liver dysfunction. Accutane comes in two types of pills: 10 mg and 40 mg. Accutane is a strong version of vitamin A. It reduces the oils released by your oil glands, thus clearing your acne.
2. Tretinoin -Tretinoin is used to unclog your pores. Unfortunately the older versions of tretinoin were too strong for patient’s skin. The newer made edition of tretinoin is safer and less irritation. The various side effects are redness, dryness, itching and burning. If any symptoms occur a simple change to the strength or type of tretinoin may help.

Over-the-counter drugs -
1. Benzoyl Peroxide – Most benzoyl peroxide medications are available as over-the-counter medications. It dries and peels the skin, reducing oils and preventing further outbreaks of acne. Examples of over-the-counter creams or other types of medications using benzoyl are Neutrogena On-the-Spot, Clearasil, Persa-Gel, Clear by Design, and Fostex. These can be found at most supermarkets.
2. Proactiv – Everyone has heard of Proactiv. It’s been on infomercials, news stories, magazine articles, and newspaper articles. Prescription grade benzoyl peroxide is the secret ingredient in ProActiv. Proactiv is a 3 step system, including a renewing cleanser, revitalizing toner, and repairing lotion.

Natural Medications -
1. Tea Tree Oil – Tea tree oil has countless uses. One of these uses is to dry out your skin and solve acne. There are creative ways to apply the tea tree oil. For example you can make an acne mask by adding a few drops of tea tree oil to neroli, rosemary or thyme oil, mixed with a small amount of clay. Tea tree oil may not work as well as Benzoyl peroxide, but it does have fewer side effects. It is best to dilute the tea tree oil with a little bit of water before applying it directly to your face.

Acne will bother you, whether it’s a pimple or a severe case. However there are solutions to both severities of acne.

Cure Acne with Spironolactone

Amanda — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:49:00 +0000

Although Spironolactone is usually prescribed to treat things like high blood pressure and edema, it has also been very effective for women with hormonal fluctuations that cause acne. Many women have been happy with using this medication to treat acne – studies have shown that up to 66% of women who took Spironolactone had outstanding improvement of eliminating their breakouts and achieving clear skin. In addition, the study found that the percentage raises to 85% when Spironolactone is used in combination with birth control pills.

High androgen levels in the body alter a woman’s mood and cause them to have acne-prone skin. Spironolactone works by helping your body create anti-androgen hormones – which are hormones that lower high androgen levels in the body – therefore Spironolactone acts as a blemish treatment.

Consult your doctor if you have breakouts and want a cure for acne. Spironolactone is a generic drug also sold under the name brand Aldactone.

5 Foods that Stop Acne

Amanda — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Its true – you are what you eat. If you eat salty, greasy foods, your skin will be greasy and oily. If you eat grains and vegetables, your skin will be smooth and healthy. Here is a list of foods that you can eat to improve your skin and prevent acne.

Whole Grains

Foods with whole grains are great for keeping your skin healthy – they carry tons of antioxidants. Be careful and make sure you read the nutrition facts before purchasing a seemingly healthy choice. For the best whole grain experience, try true whole grains like Millet or Quinoa.

Green Tea

You’ve probably heard of using this tea for another remedy – but green tea is basically good for any ailment. Green tea contains antioxidants that prevent inflammation and stop your breakouts from appearing.

Fish

Omega 3 fatty acids contain an anti-inflammatory that is great for keeping your skin smooth and free breakouts. If you want blemish free skin eat salmon, anchovies, tuna and sardines, or take an Omega 3 supplement.

Fruits and Vegetables

“Eat your vegetables!” You’ve probably heard this before. Fruits and vegetables are of huge importance to your health; however they are also very good at keeping your skin free of acne and breakouts. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables will reduce the amount of oil your skin produces, therefore preventing acne. The best vegetables for your skin are cabbage, parsley, tomato, and cucumber.

Water

Proper skin hydration is crucial for healthy skin free of toxins and oils. Continuously drink water throughout the day every day, and you will notice improvement in your complexion.

5 Ways to Reduce Acne

Amanda — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:46:00 +0000

There are lots of us who suffer from moderate to severe breakouts on a daily basis. If you are reluctant to try expensive skin products like Proactive, or Phisoderm and Biore aren’t working for you, try these 5 easy steps to clearer skin.

1. Wash – You must wash your face twice a day EVERY day no matter what. Use a mild soap and warm water to free your skin of oils and dirt. An acne soap product that I personally recommend is Face Doctor soap. I kid you not – it works wonders on moderate breakouts if used twice a day.

2. Don’t touch – Try to avoid touching your face. There’s a lot of oil on your fingers and touching you face can transfer these oils to your skin and clog your pores.

3. Stop Popping! – Despite what you think, popping pimples does not make them better. In fact, it will cause them to become enflamed, larger, and could possibly scar. The bacteria and oils on your hand will disturb the breakout.

4. Drink water – If you try cutting out all beverages except water for an entire week, you will notice a difference in the appearance of your skin. It’s a classic remedy.

5. Eat Healthy – The healthier you are, the healthier your skin will be. Eat foods high in fibre such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Try to stay away from junk food and caffeine. Daily exercise will also keep you feeling healthy.