Acne can affect you at any time and any place, attacking without regard to race or gender. Most of those that suffer from acne, though, are young adults and teens. Experts have calculated that about 85% of people who are in this age group are afflicted with acne and of those about 23% will get extended scarring that can be anywhere from light to severe.

Adults, though, are not immune from acne. The American Dermatologist Association reports that about 20% of all those over the age of 24 have active acne lesions. This boils down to about 60 million Americans, teens through adults have active acne and 20 million Americans have acne that is bad enough to cause permanent scars. Surprisingly, only an estimated 10% of those affected with acne will seek medical advice, but this is partly due to the social stigma that acne carries.

There is reason to hope, though, for those afflicted by acne. Once you know what causes acne, what helps and the things that don't and how to prevent most acne, you can take steps to get skin that is clear.

Why Does Acne Exist?

You can't "catch" acne from a person or place. Still, there are measures you can take to lessen your likelihood of getting acne breakouts. Simply put, breakouts occur when too much oil is produced by the sebaceous glands. Other acne triggers are things like:

Acne can have a genetic factor but can all be affected by environmental pollution, humidity, drying out the skin, skin irritation, medications, hormonal imbalances, hormones, oil based cosmetics, anxiety and stress and the cleaning the skin properly.

Save your time and money.

It's true that some acne remedies could help, but the truth is that many do not. Especially if you buy an over-the-counter treatment, you need to be careful. Many commercial remedies are abrasive and cruel to your skin. They could even worsen your acne! Take care to choose a product that is gentle.

What Really Works

Using the four methods that are sure to hinder acne, you can make this problem a thing of the past.

* Balanced diet * Sufficient rest * Water * Thorough washing

To treat existing acne, try natural products like tea tree oil which has strong antiseptic properties and is very effective. Witch hazel is a helpful skin toner and it can provide a healthy glow. Mint is a good spot treatment, especially for cystic acne. It will cool and sooth the skin while killing bacteria in the process.

A good cleansing and firming mask that you can make yourself is an egg white and corn starch mask. Make a paste with the egg white and corn starch. Apply to clean skin and allow to dry. Take it off later with a wet washcloth and rinse well. You will end up with great skin.

Avoid possible difficulties!

When it comes to acne, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Eating a healthy diet that is low in fat, getting enough servings of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains will go a long way to curb acne outbreaks. In particular, dark green leafy vegetables are good for keeping acne at bay. Getting enough water is also important, as is getting sufficient sleep each night. Doctors recommend seven to eight hours of sleep.

Ultimately, to keep your skin nice and clear, you must clean it properly. Your skin needs to be cleansed daily. Cosmetic makeup must be removed each evening before retiring. To have nice skin it is necessary to use a gentle cleanser, and lukewarm water. Over scrubbing can cause your acne to increase. Rinse your skin several times, and use a clean towel to blot dry. It is best to prevent acne before it starts, and you won't have to be bothered with trying to get rid of it.