Martin Stephens

Acne is a skin condition that has plagued teenagers and adults
for centuries, and there are a lot of myths about what causes
acne and how to cure it. The fact is we still don't know exactly
why some people suffer from acne and others don't.



Basically, acne starts and pimples form because sebum gets
blocked in the pores of your skin and bacteria begins to grow.
Science doesn't yet have a definite answer when it comes to acne
causes, but several myths relate to eating junk food, stress,
cosmetics, and exercise. Each of these things may be an acne
cause, but not all doctors agree. The general consensus is that
the strongest cause of acne is genetic, although these other
factors may contribute to acne as well.



Adult Acne and Teenage Acne Acne in teenagers is caused by the
changes in hormone levels that occur as teens enter puberty. Not
all adolescents experience teenage acne as they enter puberty,
but many do. Most non-prescription acne products use ad
campaigns that target teens, because teenage acne tends to have
a great psychological impact on adolescents.



Adult acne is somewhat different, because it isn't typically
caused by hormonal changes. However, some women suffer from acne
due to higher than normal levels of testosterone. Usually, adult
acne is related to stress and diet, although these are not
conclusive causes.



Natural and Alternative Acne Solutions Consumers are always
clamoring for natural solutions to medical problems, and acne
natural treatments are no exception. There have been many
suggested natural remedies used for acne treatment over the
years, but recently some alternative methods have proved
somewhat successful.



Some recent studies, for instance, have shown that acupuncture
may help treat acne. Acupuncturists usually try to treat the
root problems in the body, and acne happens to be a symptom
caused by other factors such as hormonal imbalances. This why
your acupuncturist may suggest a change in diet or some form of
stress relief.



Tea tree oil has acquired a good reputation as a natural acne
treatment too. As an acne solution, it helps kill the bacteria
and cut down the amount of inflammation and redness on the skin.
In some cases using tea tree oil can help traditional acne
products penetrate deeper as well.



Home Acne Products The most common home acne product available
is benzoyl peroxide. This is the active ingredient in many acne
treatments including Clearasil, ABY, AcneControl, and Proactiv
Solution. It works by killing the bacteria that causes acne, and
it also has a mild peeling effect which can reduce breakout and
inflammation. Some sources say the bacteria can actually build
up a resistance to benzoyl peroxide, making it less effective
the longer you use it. Also, beware that a small percentage of
people are allergic to benzoyl peroxide, and if you experience
any excessive skin irritation when using it, you should try a
different acne product.



Salicylic Acid is another common acne treatment that is the
active ingredient in many home acne products. It works by
unclogging the pores of your skin and works best when used in
conjunction with an antibacterial agent like benzoyl peroxide.
Some products such as Clearasil 3-in1, Neutrogena, and Proactiv
Solution Deep Cleansing Wash use salicylic acid and benzoyl
peroxide together.



A trip through the Health and Beauty section of most grocers
will supply you with plenty of options for acne products that
contain these ingredients. The best acne solution may be to
develop a regimen that cleans your skin, unclogs your pores, and
kills acne causing bacteria. Choose your acne products based on
this daily regimen.



Part 2 of this article at http://www.acne-treatment-steps.com
discusses treatments for severe acne.



About the author:


Part 2 of this article by Martin Stephens discusses natural
health remedies. Part 2 may be viewed at
http://www.acne-treatment-steps.com Martin Stephens is a
professional author and speaker on the subject of acne and other
skin conditions.





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