"The Best Acne Home Remedy? Look No Further!"

By Kearney Adams


"An acne home remedy may work better than Clearasil. More below..."

Your typical teenager probably thinks an Acne home remedy is something out of the dark ages. Especially when there are so many over the counter options.

However, there are several Acne home remedies that might prove beneficial for this condition.

First, let's get a better understanding of what acne is. Acne, or Acne Vulgaris, which is the complete name, is a skin condition that results in the outbreak of skin legions, or pimples.

Most people develop this condition during their teenage years with a small fraction (5%) developing it in their 30s.

It is caused when hair follicles, also called pores, become blocked. Oil, which normally drains to the surface, gets blocked, and, as a result, bacteria begin to grow.

If the affected area is near the surface, it's called a pustule. A pustule is a small collection of pus in the epidermis or directly below it in the dermis. If it's deeper, it's called a papule (pimple). If it's even deeper still, it's called a cyst.

If the oil breaks through to the surface, it's called a "whitehead". If the oil is acted upon by oxygen, it changes color from white to black and is called a "blackhead".

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Become Acne-free by using common ingredients found around your house

[Top] How Acne Forms

In puberty, changing hormone levels cause an increase in the production of oils by the sebaceous glands. These glands are found along the sides of the hair shaft. The oil normally travels up the hair shaft to the skin's surface.

Starting at puberty, the cells of the hair shaft began to shed more rapidly causing a buildup of dead cells. In normal cells, the oil mixes with the dead cells floating to the skin's surface.

In acne-prone cells the oil in dead cells form a plug that clogs the pore. These clogged pores are called "microcomedones" and are invisible to the naked eye.

At this point, bacteria start to develop, and lesions appear. These bacteria began to multiply in the clogged pores resulting in the characteristic redness and swelling associated with inflammation.


Cleaning the Skin

Wash your face twice daily with a mild soap such as Dove. Wash as often as needed to keep the area clean.

If you are allergic to soap, hypoallergenic soap may be required. These soaps are usually unscented, as the scents in regular soaps are typically the cause of an allergic reaction.

If you use cosmetics, use water based cosmetics, as greasy products can cause your condition to worsen. While your Acne is healing there are numerous cover-up products you can use to hide it.

Also, if your acne is worse on one side than the other, and you use the telephone a lot, bacteria on the telephone's surface may be contributing to the problem. Washing the phone with an anti-bacterial soap will help.



[Top] Acne Home Remedies

1) Tea Tree Oil

This Acne home remedy is extracted from the leaves of the Australian tree Melaleuca Alternafolia.

It has long been used by Australian aboriginals to take care of a variety of ailments ranging from cuts, burns and infections. They would crush the leaves, and rub them onto the affected area.

The active component in Tea Tree Oil comes from a class of ingredients called Terpenoids. Terpenoids have been thought to have antiseptic and antifungal capabilities.

There is little research to substantiate the use of Tea Tree Oil but it could be a useful Acne home remedy.

One study, done in Australia, compared the effectiveness of 5% Tea Tree Oil to 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion in 124 individuals with mild to moderate acne for three months.

People in both groups had a noteworthy reduction in the number of inflamed Acne lesions. However, Tea Tree Oil was found to be less effective than benzoyl peroxide. Researchers noted there were fewer side effects in the group taking Tea Tree Oil.

Dosage

Buy either a product with Tea Tree Oil mixed in it, or mix it in with a moderately inert cream and apply it to the skin as you would any other acne treatment.

Contraindications

If you have a skin rash you should seek advice from a dermatologist before using this Acne home remedy.

Also, pregnant women should not use this product.
more on Tea Tree Oil...



[Top] 2) Zinc

Zinc is an additional Acne Home remedy that could be a useful remedy. Zinc is a mineral helpful in healing, sperm production, and growth.

Not only is it beneficial with controlling acne, it also regulates activity of the oil glands.

While the mechanism by which it works it is not entirely understood, a deficiency of Zinc is thought to boost production of male hormones.

Zinc is present in many foods, however the body may have difficulty metabolizing it.

In one study, 54 people were given either zinc or placebo. Zinc produced a slight but measurable effect.

In another study, individuals were given 30 milligrams of Zinc daily. At the study's conclusion, Zinc was found to be as effective as taking an oral antibiotic for Acne.

Keep in mind that the amounts used in the studies were much higher then you would normally take and could be toxic if taken in those dosages. There are documented reports of individuals taking high dosages and making themselves extremely ill.

Dosage

A proper dosage of this Acne Home Remedy would be 30 milligrams daily.

Contraindications

Individuals with high cholesterol should only take Zinc under proper supervision. High doses of Zinc may also impair immune system function. Too much Zinc may cause a severe copper deficiency.

If you find little improvement with this Acne home remedy, this indicates that Zinc is probably not the cause of your Acne.
more on Zinc...



[Top] 3) Selenium

Selenium is another Acne home remedy you might contemplate adding.

Individuals with severe Acne have been found to be lacking this trace element.

Research has revealed that Selenium diminishes the severity of Acne and decreases scarring. This is because Selenium assists in the development of selenoproteins that help avert cell damage caused by free radicals.

Dosage

Some researchers advise you should take between 200 and 400 micrograms daily. You should not exceed 400 micrograms, as this Acne home remedy could be toxic to your system.

Contraindications

Amounts in excess of 1000 micrograms can cause loss of fingernails and hair, skin rash, and changes to the immune system.

With iodine-deficiency-induced Hypothyroidism, Selenium may cause this condition to worsen.

There are no known medicine interactions when taken at the recommended dosage.
learn what vitamin must be taken with Selenium for maximum effectiveness to treat Acne



More Resources
Natural Herbal Remedies Advice

At Natural Herbal Remedies Advice you can get information about several medicinal herbs, herbal teas and natural cures for common ailments. Find out the 50 best Chinese herbs, and learn about ayurveda and ayurvedic medicine too.





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