The need for over the counter acne medications has spawned a billion-dollar industry, especially in the United States. Scanning the shelves for OTC (over-the-counter) remedies, you'll find literally dozens of different brands, forms and prices in acne medication. None of these treatments or physician prescribed treatments will work immediately; even the best treatment for acne requires some patience!
The best treatment for acne is preventative as well as pro-active. A good, regular cleansing routine will treat existing acne and prevent most outbreaks by keeping pores clear of dirt, grime and oils that clog them and cause acne infections. Astringents are also good cleansers but should be used with care. Because they dry up the oil on your face, you use them more sparingly than a good cleanser. If used too frequently, astringents can cause your skin to signal for more oil production and result in even oiler skin and more acne. One of the best astringents you can use is witch hazel. It's a natural plant-based substance and costs a fraction of commercially manufactured astringents.
When an outbreak occurs, there are many medicines you can buy and make to treat it at home. The most common ingredient in most OTC topical creams and lotions is benzoyl peroxide, one of the top five recommended substances to treat acne. It reduces bacteria on the skin but doesn't cause the bacteria to become resistant.
Benzoyl peroxide drains the acne lesions as well as being an anti-inflammatory. It's the preferred method of treating mild to moderate acne. You can find it in creams, lotions, gels and facial cleansers. Its anti-inflammatory qualities will often relieve the soreness of the infected area.
It can discolor clothing so care should be taken when using it. Very rarely does anyone suffer side effects but if you experience burning, redness, itching or swelling after you've applied it contact a physician immediately.
There are a number of home remedies you can make from common kitchen staples to soothe irritated skin. Apple cider vinegar is the most effective of these. Simply apply it to the affected areas, leave for a few minutes and rinse with warm water. Since it's a natural substance, it will not upset the pH balance of your skin and will leave it soft and smooth. It lessens irritations to the acne lesions as well as cleansing and disinfecting, accelerating healing time.
Whatever else you do to treat your acne at home, do not ever pop your pimples! This will spread bacteria over the rest of your face and cause more outbreaks, as well as worsening the infection in the pimple you've broken. The worse the infection is, the higher the probability of a scar.
If the lesion does break open or you just can't resist popping it, apply Neosporin or its generic equivalent immediately and every few hours until the skin heals.
The acne products that are sold in stores are full of chemicals that you may not want to apply to your skin. Many people prefer more natural products, and often look for home treatments for acne. Home treatment for acne, in many cases, has proven to be as effective, if not more effective, than the products that you purchase in the store.
Home treatment for acne begins with proper skin care. Make sure that you wash your face, with a pure soap such as Ivory, at least twice each day. If you live in an area that has high air pollution, you may want to wash more often. You should also wash your face after activities that cause you to sweat. Wash your face with warm water, and do a final rinse with a splash of cold water to close the pores.
It is also important that you drink plenty of water to keep your body and your skin hydrated. The proper amount of water intake helps to promote healthy skin, and will keep your skin looking younger for a longer period of time, helping it to retain its elasticity. You also need to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
While no food has been scientifically proven to cause acne, any food that you have an allergy to will cause an acne breakout. You can have food allergies without realizing it - the only sign of the allergy may, in fact, be the acne breakout. For this reason, you should pay close attention to the foods that you eat, and keep records of what you have eaten when your skin breaks out. You might also want to visit an allergist to find out what you are allergic to. Most people are allergic to at least one food, even if they don't realize it.
Home treatment for acne also includes exercise. Most people don't realize the overall effect that exercise has on our minds and bodies. Exercise relieves stress, and stress can cause acne breakouts. Exercise builds our immune systems and makes us less susceptible to infections - acne is a skin infection. Exercise causes us to sweat, which rids our bodies of toxins. Toxins can cause acne as well. Make it a habit to exercise at least three times each week for at least thirty minutes.
Home treatment for acne continues with natural products to prevent or clear up acne. For instance, Evening Primrose oil can be used both internally and externally to clear up acne. For internal treatment, take between 3000 and 6000 milligrams per day. For external treatment, apply the oil directly to the acne. Leave it on overnight, and then wash it away in the morning. An herbal tea, made from the petals of the Evening Primrose plant will help prevent acne, if you drink it regularly. Crush the petals, or the leaves from the plant, and mix one teaspoon of the herb for every one cup of boiling water. Avoid using a metal pot or cup, as the metal can destroy the medicinal properties of the herb.
Other herbs that are useful for the prevention or cure of acne include lavender, rosemary, patchouli, eucalyptus, sandalwood, bergamot, tea tree, and clove. Lavender, bergamot, clove, and eucalyptus are all anti-bacterial herbs. Rosemary can be used as an astringent, and sandalwood is used as an antiseptic and astringent. Patchouli is very powerful, as it helps to regenerate skin cells, and has antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. Tea Tree is known for relieving skin irritations.
You can make soap out of any of these herbs by mixing one ounce of bees wax, 1 ? tablespoons of water, and a ? cup of sweet almond oil or sunflower oil. Simply use a double boiler, and heat the wax and oil over boiling water until it is melted. Heat the water separately, and then add it to the mixture. Stir the mixture as it cools, then add 20 - 30 drops of essential oil of the herbs that you choose, or use a teaspoon of ground herbs.
When purchasing herbs or herbal oils for home treatment for acne, make sure that you look for products that have been organically grown. You don't want to use herbs or oils from plants that were chemically treated with pesticides or other dangerous chemicals, as this actually defeats the purpose of home treatment for acne.