Basically, retinol is a vitamin A derivative. Vitamin A is beneficial for your skin, your vision, and your bones too. But to understand how retinoids control acne, it helps to know a bit about how pimples form in the first place. It’s a combination of factors that begin when the skin cells lining the hair follicles die and begin to slough off. Sometimes these cells get sticky, clump together, and plug up your pores, thus giving rise to pimples. Retinoids put a stop to this chain of events by bringing these cells back into balance and preventing them from sticking together. The cells are then free to slough off normally. In short, retinoids keep your pores open.

Retinoids also have anti-aging properties, another bonus for adult acne sufferers. The vitamin A derivative increases the amount of collagen in your skin, a protein that keeps your skin youthful and elastic. You may notice your skin looks more smooth and vibrant after using retinoids for a while.

Unfortunately, retinoids also have negative side effects. They can dry and irritate your skin at first, and may even worsen acne for a short time. To avoid stressing out your skin, you should begin by applying a topical retinoid no more than once a week, and gradually increase the number of applications each week. In most cases the skin will get acclimated to the retinol cream and won’t be irritated by it. Applying moisturizer can also offset the drying effects. Retinoids can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so applying a sunscreen is a must.

There are several different types of retinoids, including Differen, Retin-A, and Tazorac. Although most are applied topically as a cream or ointment, there is a retinol that can be taken orally. Isotretinoin (more commonly known as Accutate) is the most effective retinoid treatment of all. In fact, for many patients it stops acne indefinitely. However, Accutane is infamous for its side effects. It can cause birth defects if women take this medication while pregnant. It can also dry out your lips and nose, and cause nosebleeds. In rare cases, it has been linked with joint soreness, liver complications, and suicidal thoughts. For these reasons, it’s wise to work closely with a physician when taking an oral retinoid such as Accutane.

If you’ve been struggling with acne and feel like you’ve tried everything, a retinol may be just what you need. Retinoids are especially effective when combined with other acne treatments, such as a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment. Ask your dermatologist if retinoids are right for you.

Medical treatment for acne vulgaris can take several forms. The first stage is to try applying certain topical treatments. You can try each of these in turn for a month to six weeks. If the acne improves, continue. If not, move on to the next option.

1. Benzoyl Peroxide

This can dry up acne vulgaris for many people. Products containing benzoyl peroxide include Brevoxyl and Benzac.

2. Salicylic Acid

This is another option which many people find helps their acne. Products containing salicylic acid include Propa pH and Stridex.

Aspirin is a derivative of salicylic acid and that is why some people treat pimples at home with soluble aspirin dissolved in a few drops of water to make a paste. However, it is more convenient to buy a commercial acne treatment. It looks pretty weird walking around with white aspirin paste on your face!

If neither benzoyl peroxide nor salicylic acid works for you, you will need to have a prescription medication.

3. Topical Antibiotics

The first step for a medical practitioner is often to prescribe antibiotic creams, gels or lotions which are applied directly to the pimples. These are for external use only.

4. Oral Antibiotics

In some cases you may be prescribed a course of oral antibiotics that you take internally. This treatment often helps acne scars to heal so it is more likely to be used where the acne is deep or is producing scarring.

If you take oral antibiotics, be sure to follow up with a course of probiotics afterward. You can buy probiotics from any health food store. This repopulates the healthy bacteria in the stomach. These can be killed off by antibiotics and the result can be an overgrowth of candida, leading to yeast infections.

If you think that you already have an overgrowth of candida, it is better not to take antibiotics for your acne but treat the candidiasis first. You may find that acne improves or even disappears when the yeast is under control. Candidiasis is not so likely to be a problem for teenagers, but is sometimes involved in adult acne.

5. Prescription Retinoids

Retinoids are related to vitamin A and they have many applications in medicine, one of which is treating acne. As with antibiotics, you can get topical retinoids in the form of creams or gels which are applied directly to pimples (e.g. Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac). Retinoids can irritate the skin so in some cases the acne gets worse before it gets better.

There are also oral retinoids that you take internally, such as Accutane. These usually take several months to have an effect. Oral retinoids should only be taken under medical supervision. There can be side effects and overdose is dangerous. Women taking retinoids must not get pregnant because they can cause birth defects, so oral retinoids are more likely to be prescribed for men as a medical treatment for acne vulgaris.

Adult Acne

Although less common than adult female acne, adult male acne can continue well after your teenage years. The cause of acne in men can vary but unlike adult female acne which is often related to menstruation, pregnancy or even menopause, male acne is often caused by non-hormonal factors that can be resolved easily.

Types of Adult Acne

Acne Vulgaris- Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition usually suffered by teenagers and is characterized by areas of the skin, often the face becoming covered with blackheads and whiteheads, pimples and papules. Over time this can result in scaring. While the acne you suffered as a teenager may have lessened over the years it has remained persistent. If this is you, it may simply be that your teenage acne has stuck around as your body has failed to fight off the acne causing bacteria propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes for short. The most logical solution would be to take antibiotics as these can kill off the acne causing bacteria once and for all. Antibiotics commonly taken to rid people of acne include clindamycin, tetracyclines, erythromycin and minocycline.

Acne Mechanica – Acne mechanica is a form of acne often seen on athletes and tends to occur underneath clothing. It is caused by irritation to the skin as a result of sweat and friction. This friction can be caused by sports equipment or clothing, helmets or belts rubbing against the skin. Wearing sweat absorbing materials and opting for softer clothing which is less harsh on the skin can make a real difference and can prevent this form of acne from appearing.

Anabolic Steroids – Acne has become increasingly common amongst body builders due to the widespread use of anabolic steroids. These powerful drugs increase the level of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone when produced in excessive amounts can cause the oil glands to go into overdrive producing an excessive amount of oil in the skin which can clog the pores resulting in blackheads, whiteheads and cystic acne. If you take anabolic steroids, reducing or avoiding them altogether can lead to a significant reduction in these skin problems and reduce the other health problems associated with the misuse of anabolic steroids.

To find out more about male acne and female acne check out the authors site who provides researched advice on acne and other health issues.

Adult Acne is a common skin disease. It often manifests itself by inflammation in the skin, erupting in lesions and is characterized by pimples on the face, chest, and back. Acne is an inflammatory skin condition resulting in clogged pores, blackheads, and pimples. Not surprisingly acne can be triggered by hormones, excessive oil, and bacteria. It is the most common skin disorder among Americans affecting approximately 80 percent of the population. It is definitely the leading skin disorder affecting both men and women and adults and teenagers on a global scale, but is most common in teenagers and young adults.

Pimples form when the follicle is invaded by the P. acnes bacteria. Adult Acne Pimples can also occur when a clogged pore becomes infected by bacteria causing a red, raised bump to appear on the skin. Pimples can have a pus filled top, which is the body’s way of reacting to a bacterial infection. Whether you call them pimples, zits, or acne, lots of young teens find skin problems confusing and upsetting.

Treatments to get rid of Adult acne are almost the same as that of face acne. Let’s discuss few of the methods available to treat body skin breakouts. Acne treatments involve getting to the root of the problem starting with killing bacteria, minimizing the amount of oil or sebum being produced and exfoliating debris and dead skin cells from the surface layers of the dermis. Acne medications can involve oral and topical products.

Many times, scars left behind by acne and pimples disappear on their own but at times these scars can be more difficult to alleviate than treating the acne itself. Some people get pimples on the scalp that may take a few weeks to clear up. This type of pimple is known as acne necrotica miliaris, and seems to flourish during times of high stress or when the scalp is oilier than normal.

Oily skin causing Adult Acne requires more attention and care for both men and women. http://www.homebizxplosion.com/products/acne2.html

If Adult acne is a problem that you should look at a solution for right now and these ideas should help you out

Women in China, Japan and South Korea claim that blemishes are their biggest skin care challenge – ahead of age spots, lines and wrinkles.

They also place more importance on beautiful skin than beautiful facial features and feel that having beautiful skin is possible if they take good care of themselves and their skin.

According to Dermalogica, the primary catalyst of adult acne is chronic stress.

Balancing personal and professional responsibilities makes this generation of adults the most time-compressed generation in history, contributing to chronic stress: the constant, continued and heightened level of stress that throws our adrenal glands into overdrive, which in turn can boost sebum production, setting the stage for acne development.

While stress can trigger acne, there are four main factors that contribute to the development of acne: overactive sebaceous glands (the production of too much oil), dead skin cell accumulation, bacteria and inflammation.

“Blemishes start when the sebaceous glands produce too much oil,” says Tom Mammone, executive director of Clinique Research and Development.

Sebaceous glands attach to the skin’s hair follicles like little sponges.

Normally the cells lining the hair follicle slough off regularly and the oil passes to the surface of the skin. But when this fails to happen, a pore becomes plugged and bacteria multiply, causing inflammation.

Clinique last fall launched its Acne Solutions line, a three-step system similar to its classic skin-care sets, but containing anti-acne ingredients.

“In talking to our own consultants at the (retail) counter, mature customers complain of acne … and that led us to one of our major endeavors of the last five years,” says Tom Mammone, executive director of research and development at Clinique, who says several studies backed the concept that more adults say they have acne.

Peter Scocimara, CEO of Therative, the company that makes the ThermaClear heat-based, anti-acne device, says he initially thought the product would be marketed primarily to teenage boys, but that adult women have turned out to be the primary consumer. “The teen market is huge but the more sensitive market to the individual pimple is the adult woman.”

Adult acne is more common on the jawline, neck, chest and back, while teen acne tends to cluster on the forehead and cheeks, says Dr. Katie Rodan, one of the two dermatologists behind the skin-care brand Rodan + Fields.

“Pimples move south with age,” Rodan says. “They’ll be fewer in number but bigger in size.”

Teen acne is typically blamed on hormonal changes, while stress can be a more likely factor for adults, she says.

But bacteria can be the real culprit, and adults can allow heated bacteria to fester on their skin anytime they do an activity such as bikram yoga or 30 minutes on the stationary bike at the gym and enjoy their smoothie before showering.

“You stew in your own sweat,” Rodan says. “That heat you generate helps the bacteria and adults tend to do more heavy, sweaty, gym-intense exercise.”

“Showering after exercise is the easy part of curbing adult acne; living stress-free is much harder,” she adds.

Dr. Mary Lupo, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University, who also consults for beauty brand Philosophy, says occasional acne can be treated with over-the-counter products that include benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria or salicylic acid to unclog pores.

But for anything consistent, she recommends prescriptive treatments that will treat an existing outbreak and could help prevent future ones.

The estrogen and progestin in the Yaz birth control pill – an option only for women – and the anti-androgen action of the hormone-therapy drug Spironolactone, which suppresses oil output, are effective, says Lupo, as is Accutane. All of those, however, should be taken while under a doctor’s care because there are potential side effects.

Laser treatments also can help active acne and acne scarring by stimulating collagen – a bonus is that they also can help with fine lines and wrinkles, she adds. But treatments average $250-$500 and patients typically need three.

The best treatment might be to accept that adult acne happens – and to know you’re not alone, says self-esteem adviser and blogger Jess Weiner, who is featured in Seventeen magazine among other media outlets.

She is no stranger to an outbreak, she says, and she used to do her best to cover it up with topical treatments and makeup.

“The blemish becomes magnified, at least in your own mind,” Weiner says. “It impedes you from feeling sexy, or fresh, or clean. … Just like when you were in junior high, a bad case of acne can completely level your confidence for the day.”

Recently she decided to change her approach and she has seen an improvement. She goes out without concealer – and no one else seemed to notice, Weiner reports.

“I also figured out how to dress around my zits. I wear hats! Hats became the great distractor. I also wear my glasses a lot, scarves or cleavage-baring shirts because then people weren’t looking at my face.”

While acne may traditionally be viewed as a teenage “rite of passage,” results from a groundbreaking national survey released show that acne is a problem that also commonly affects adults. The survey finds that acne can negatively impact many aspects of a person’s life — professional, academic, physical and social — and a basic lack of knowledge may be preventing or hindering appropriate treatment options.

Conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Retin-A Micro(R) Pump, the Skin Matters 2008 Survey is a comprehensive analysis designed to address acne-related issues and treatment considerations among teens, adults, parents and dermatologists.

Adults with acne report that the condition affects multiple facets of their lives, with 38% agreeing it is more stressful having acne as an adult than as a teenager, and 50% finding it to be unappealing, more so than having facial wrinkles (36%) or gray hair (29%). Adults with acne also state that it negatively impacts their self-confidence (41%) and mood (31%). Some report acne’s negative impacts on their lifestyle, such as refraining from asking for or accepting a date (9%), canceling social plans (7%), getting passed over for a promotion or raise (3%).

While people get acne well into their forties and fifties(2), many adults with acne believed that they would no longer have it by the time they reached their twenties (67%). Survey results show that, on average, nearly one-half of dermatologists’ acne patients (46%) are adults and two-thirds (66%) currently see more adult acne patients than they did one year ago.

“Acne is definitely not just a teen issue,” says Richard Fried, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Director, Yardley Dermatology and Yardley Skin Enhancement and Wellness Center, and author of Healing Adult Acne. “It has become increasingly common for adults to experience acne — one in five women who suffer from acne is between the ages of 25 and 40. Acne can be even more difficult for this age group, as it can be responsible for stress, depression, social withdrawal, job impairment and intimacy problems. Unfortunately, these emotions can also cause the onset or worsening of acne.”

Interestingly, the severity of one’s acne does not necessarily determine the amount of emotional distress a person may endure. Some patients with mild acne will not leave their home or participate in social activities during a breakout. In contrast, some patients with more severe acne continue on with their day-to-day lives, seeming to experience less of an emotional impact.

“The effect acne has on each individual varies. It is the dermatologists’ responsibility to talk with their patients about acne, the psychological impact it may have on their lives, and to determine an efficient treatment plan to improve their patients’ skin and quality of lives,” says Dr. Fried.

The Skin Matters 2008 Survey finds that almost 9 out of 10 (89%) adults with acne believe they have some control over how their skin looks, and among those who use non-prescription medication, they typically spend $10 a month on non-prescription acne products. However, the survey also shows knowledge gaps in skin health that may hinder an adult’s ability to effectively treat their acne. These gaps include the belief that drinking lots of water can prevent acne (60%) or that vigorously washing one’s face is one of the best ways to take care of acne (35%).

Acne lesions occur mostly on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. It is the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring and permanent scarring.

Women actually have more and different issues than men with acne.

How does acne affect women?

Most young women and men will have at least a few pimples over the course of their lives. But acne seems to affect men and women in different ways. Young men are more likely to have a more serious form of acne. Acne in young women tends to be more random and linked to hormone changes, such as the menstrual cycle.

As women get older, acne often gets better. But some women have acne for many years. Some women even get acne for the first time at age 30 or 40.

For many women, acne can be an upsetting illness. Women may have feelings of depression, poor body image, or low self-esteem. But you don’t have to wait to outgrow acne or to let it run its course. Today, almost every case of acne can be resolved. Acne also can, sometimes, be prevented. Talk with your doctor or dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating skin problems) about how you can help prevent acne and if treatment would help you.

To find out about the the Acne No More Book read my review.

What are the different types of acne lesions?

* Comedo (whiteheads or blackheads) or papules. The comedo is the basic acne lesion, which is a plugged pore. If the plugged pore stays under the skin, it’s called a closed comedo and forms a white bump or whitehead. Blackheads are comedos that open up and appear blackish on the surface of the skin. This black color is not due to dirt, but because the air reacts with the excess oil.

* Pustules or pimples. Pustules or pimples are acne lesions that contain pus and are red at the base.
* Nodules. These are more serious acne lesions. They lodge deeper in the skin, are painful, and can cause scarring.
* Cysts. Like nodules, these lesions are deep within in the skin, are painful, and are filled with pus, and can cause scarring.

Many things can trigger acne in women:
* Hormone changes during puberty. During puberty, girls have an increase in male sex hormones called androgens. This increase causes the glands to get larger and make more sebum.
* Hormone changes as an adult. The menstrual cycle is one of the most common acne triggers.

Acne lesions tend to form a few days before the cycle begins and go away after the cycle is completed. Other hormone changes, such as pregnancy and menopause, improve acne in some women. But some women have worse acne during these times. Stopping use of birth control pills can play a role as well.

* Medicines. Certain medicines, such as those used to treat epilepsy and types of depression.
* Make-up.
* Pressure or friction on the skin. Friction caused by bike helmets or backpacks can make acne worse
* Family history. If other people in your family have acne, there is a greater chance you will have it.

Does poor hygiene cause acne?

It is a myth that women get acne because they don’t wash enough. Too much washing or scrubbing the skin harshly can make acne worse. And washing away surface oils doesn’t do much to prevent or cure acne, because it forms under the skin. The best way to clean the face is to gently wash it twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser. Be careful to remove make-up without harsh scrubbing.

Can stress cause acne?
Stress does not cause acne. But, acne may be a side effect of some medicines used to treat stress or depression. And in some cases, the social and emotional impact of acne lesions causes stress. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

Can eating chocolate or greasy foods cause acne?
While many women feel that eating chocolate or greasy foods causes acne, experts have not found a link between the diet and acne. Foods seem to have little effect on acne in most people. But, it’s important to eat a healthy diet for good health.

How is mild acne treated?
There are many treatments for mild acne. Mild acne can consist of whiteheads, blackheads and small pustules. At home, you can wash your face twice per day with warm water and a gentle cleanser or soap. Your doctor may suggest you also try an over-the-counter lotion or cream. These medicines may make your skin dry if you use them too much. Be sure to follow the directions.

If these medicines dont work, your doctor may prescribe a cream or lotion with benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur.

* Benzoyl peroxide works to reduce oil made by the glands.
* Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur help breakdown whiteheads and blackheads.

If your acne does not get better after six to eight weeks, talk with your doctor about changing your treatment.

Can more serious forms of acne be treated?

Yes. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment for you.

Moderate to moderately severe acne. This type of acne consists of several whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules that cover the face and/or other parts of the body. It can be treated with antibiotic lotions or gels, as well as retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is an altered form of vitamin A. It helps prevent whiteheads and blackheads. Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic pill, such as erythromycin. If you take birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, antibiotics can affect how well they work. Be sure to use a second method of birth control with the pill, such as a condom. Retinoic acid and antibiotic pills can make the skin sensitive to the sun. So, wear sunscreen and stay in the shade while using them.

Severe acne. Severe acne consists of deep cysts, redness, swelling, extreme damage to the skin and scarring. You should see a dermatologist to care for this type of acne. Scarring can be prevented with appropriate treatments. Your dermatologist can prescribe oral antibiotics and oral contraceptives. Large inflamed cysts can be treated with an injection of a drug that lessens the redness, swelling, and irritation, and promotes healing.

Your dermatologist may prescribe Accutane, if other treatments have not worked. This is a strong medicine that can help prevent scarring and treat active disease. But, Accutane also can cause birth defects. It is important that you are not pregnant and do not plan to get pregnant while taking this medicine. You must use two methods of birth control at the same time. This is done for one month before treatment begins, during treatment, and for a full month after stopping the drug. Talk with your dermatologist about when it’s safe to get pregnant. Other side effects of this drug may include dry eyes, itching, mood changes, and changes in the blood and liver. You and your dermatologist can decide whether this medicine is right for you based on the pros and cons. Use any prescribed medicine exactly as you are advised. Taking more medicine than you are supposed to take may make acne or your general health worse. Ask your doctor what to do if you miss a dose.

Some large cysts do not respond to medication and may need to be drained or removed. Your dermatologist is the only person who should drain or remove these. You should never try to drain or remove your acne by squeezing or picking. This can lead to infection, worsen your acne, and cause scarring.

Overall, if you dont see a change in your skin in six to eight weeks, talk with your doctor about your treatment plan.

Can birth control pills help treat acne?

For women who break out mainly around their menstrual cycle, some birth control pills can help. Research shows that these pills can clear acne by slowing down overactive oil glands in the skin. Sometimes, birth control pills are used along with a drug called spironolactone to treat acne in adult females. This medication lowers levels of the hormone androgen in the body. Androgen stimulates the skins oil glands. Side effects of this drug include irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, headache and fatigue. Spironolactone is not appropriate therapy for all patients.
When is surgery used for acne scarring?

If you have scarring, your dermatologist may suggest surgery to help heal acne lesions and remove scarring. A laser can reshape scar tissue and reduce redness. Dermabrasion is a type of surgery that can remove surface scars and reduce the depth of deep scars. Another option is to transfer fat from one part of the body to the face. In some cases, a single treatment can help scarring. But for lasting results, several are often needed. There are also topical treatments for acne scarring.

Photodynamic therapy is a new acne treatment. It begins with light microdermabrasion. This is used to remove dead skin cells on the faces surface. Then, an acid is put on the skin for 30 to 60 minutes. After this period, the acid is taken off. Lastly, the skin is treated with a laser. This treatment is still being researched, but seems to give positive long-term results.
How can I help prevent acne and acne scars?

You can help prevent acne flare-ups and scars by taking good care of your skin:

1. Clean your skin gently with a mild soap or cleanser twice a day?once in the morning and once at night. You should also gently clean the skin after heavy exercise. Avoid strong soaps and rough scrub pads. Harsh scrubbing of the skin may make acne worse. Wash your entire face from under the jaw to the hairline and rinse thoroughly. Remove make-up gently with a mild soap and water. Ask your doctor before using an astringent.

2. Wash your hair on a regular basis. If your hair is oily, you may want to wash it more often.

3. Do not squeeze or pick at acne lesions. This can cause acne scars.

4. Avoid getting sunburned. Many medicines used to treat acne can make you more prone to sunburn. Many people think that the sun helps acne, because the redness from sunburn may make acne lesions less visible. But, too much sun can also increase your risk of skin cancer and early aging of the skin. When you’re going to be outside, use sunscreen of at least SPF 15. Also, try to stay in the shade as much as you can.

5. Choose make-up and hair care products that are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. These products have been made in a way that they don’t cause acne. You may also want to use products that are oil-free.

6. Avoid things that rub the skin as much as you can, such as backpacks and sports equipment.

7. Talk with your doctor about what treatment methods can help your acne. Take your medicines as prescribed. Be sure to tell your doctor if you think medicines you take for other health problems make your acne worse.

Is rosacea the same as acne?

Rosacea (ro-ZAY-she-ah) is a common skin problem often called adult acne. Faired skinned and menopausal women are more likely to have rosacea. Rosacea also seems to run in families. It causes redness in the center parts of the face and pimples. Blood vessels under the skin of the face may enlarge and show through the skin as small red lines. The skin may be swollen and feel warm.

Women with rosacea don’t have the same lesions as seen with common acne. They may have flushing of the face, when they are hot, drink alcohol or hot drinks, or eat spicy foods. This flushing causes the face to appear red. In the most severe form, this redness does not go away. The eyes may become swollen and nodules in the skin may be painful.

You can help keep rosacea under control by keeping a record of things that cause it to flare up. Try to avoid or limit these triggers as much as you can. Antibiotic lotions or gels can also help. Sometimes, you may need to take antibiotic pills. Your dermatologist may treat you with laser surgery. If you think you have rosacea, talk with your doctor about these treatments.

No one is sure why more adults are suffering from acne. Some experts believe it has a lot to do with the stress from our lives. Others think it has more to do with our diet, or even the extra hormones found in the dairy products we consume. Whatever the cause, the fact remains that the number of adults suffering from acne is steadily increasing. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology claimed that up to 20% of all adults are currently dealing with acne.

Unfortunately, most pimple-fighting creams and washes are still formulated and marketed for teenagers. Adolescents usually have overactive sebaceous glands that result in oily skin, so they benefit from products that help dry things out a bit. These same products are much too harsh and drying for the average adult’s skin. A regimen that hydrates and moisturizes the skin is better for acne sufferers in their twenties and older.

Men and women who are still waiting to “outgrow” their acne problem often suffer from depression, social anxiety, and low self-esteem. Dealing with what seems to be a “teenage problem” is humiliating, and many are too embarrassed to seek help. Instead they disguise their blemishes with cosmetics, or they become withdrawn and hide from the world as much as possible. Many women even hesitate to pursue love and romance because they’re afraid of how they’ll be perceived once the makeup comes off.

Perhaps the worst thing about adult acne is that it can plague us when we’re starting to get wrinkles and gray hairs. It’s bad enough to be afflicted with this skin disease when we’re young, but it’s downright infuriating to deal with both acne AND the negative effects of aging. An effective skin regimen that both controls acne and has anti-aging properties is ideal at this point.

Living with adult acne is a terrible blow to the psyche, but it doesn’t have to be this way. While there is no cure for acne, there are hundreds of different medications and skin regimens that will control adult acne until it is effectively nonexistent. The best way to begin is to talk to a dermatologist, who can help you get started finding a regimen that works best for you.

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene

REALITY: Dead skin cells, oxidized skin oil (sebum), dust and dirt particles clog pores and trigger acne. Some experts claim that you should wash your face as many as three times a day to prevent acne. However, vigorous rubbing and scrubbing only makes matters worse. All you need is to keep your pores clear from dirt mixed with sebum and dead skin cells. Twice-daily cleansing with a mild non-detergent cleanser is more than enough.

Chocolate and French fries don’t cause acne

REALITY: Our diet is directly linked to the state of our skin.

Science came up with explanation how food is likely to trigger acne and make it less curable. Foods that are rich in refined sugar cause spikes in blood sugar and stimulate production of sebum. Fatty diet changes the acidity of skin sebum making it more stiff and pore-clogging. Poor diet clogs up the colon and increases the toxicity of the body.

Acne is caused by stress

REALITY: Stress lowers the immunity and our body is less able to fight the inflammation during acne. Chronic stress puts thyroid and adrenal glands of our body under lots of work.

You will outgrow your acne

REALITY: Adult acne is on the rise, with as many as 60 per cent adults reporting skin eruptions on a regular basis. Up to 90 percent of teenagers develop some level of acne; about 30 percent seek medical treatment. But many women in their 30s and even 40s have acne just as severe as teenagers. Hormonal changes, greasy or oily cosmetics or hair products, certain drugs such as corticosteroids or high levels of humidity and sweating could contribute to adult acne, according Mayo Clinic Health Letter. And you must act on acne quickly, no matter what causes it. When left untreated, acne can result in permanent physical scars which are almost impossible to get rid of. Acne leads to low self-esteem, problems in social life, even slow career growth.

Only prescription medication can cure acne once and for all

REALITY: nutrition, vitamin and herbal supplementation work with body, not against it, to dramatically improve acne condition. All prescription medication for acne work to stop the production of sebum and thus make skin dry. However, while they solve the cosmetic problem, they also mess up the more serious organs in our bodies, such as liver and kidneys. Prescription acne medications are linked to depression, and severely dry skin resulting from acne pills is prone to premature aging. Is it really worth is?

Before taking hardcore measures, try improving your skin condition with careful diet, vitamins and safe herbal supplements that have much fewer side effects than acne pills. Regular cleansing of acne-prone skin with witch hazel can help, along with facial masks they can make from milk, tomatoes, oatmeal and other foods. But of course, in severe cases of acne you should seek medical advice.

In short, here were the wrong answers to my acne problem:

* “Your skin is reacting to all the different products you keep trying.”

* “Maybe you need to go back to using skin care with chemicals.”

* “Have you tried ProActive? It worked for someone I know.”

* “It’s probably perimenopausal hormones.”

* “Try using facial oil on your skin to help balance your own oil production.”

* “Try washing your face more, or maybe wash your face less.”

When your face is erupting more than Old Faithful, most of us will try anything and everything to get it under control. The idea that going chemical-free made my face break out is ridiculous. Out of desperation, I tried ProActive at one point. It does dry up blemishes but it also oxidizes your skin, adding to wrinkles and does nothing to keep new blemishes from forming under the skin (those enormous zits I like to call “undergrounders”). The worst idea of all was that the zits were the result of hormones gone crazy, which leaves you feeling helpless. Furthermore nothing, nothing, I put on or left off my face made any difference.

It was this realization that led me to my personal cure. I knew it had to be something I was putting in my body or in my case not putting in. I researched extensively and saw some people were having success taking mega-doses of B vitamins, while others showed no improvement or worried about the long term effects. It didn’t seem “natural” to overdose on supplements in order to make my skin healthy again. But why had it suddenly turned unhealthy?

I looked at my eating habits of late. I was prone to the occasional chocolate craving, but after all these years I doubted that the sweet confection had turned against me. Besides, I was buying organic, dark chocolate now; nothing sinister there. In fact, I had improved my diet greatly over the years and recently tried to go vegan.

Hum? Then I ran across an article by my favorite health advocate, Mike Adams of NaturalNews. He mentions in the article how a zinc deficiency may be a cause of acne. Maybe my feeble attempt at a new vegan lifestyle was leaving me a bit short in the zinc department? After reading up on the signs of zinc deficiency, I decided to pump up my intake of oysters and pumpkin seeds to see if it would help. Results? Enough of a difference in my skin to look deeper into zinc.

There are subtle signs to zinc deficiency. Acne can be just one of them. Other signs can be white spots on the fingernails, dry, brittle hair, slow wound healing and a decreased sense of taste and smell. I had all of these. Zinc plays an important role in our overall immune function and is important for our general health. In addition to adding zinc-rich foods to my diet, I’ve also added purifying green tea (both the drink and a green tea mask), vitamin A rich carrot juice (mixed with orange to make it taste better), lots of delicious berries, foods rich in omega-3 and other great-for-the-skin goodies. A simple, all-natural cleanser and oil-free moisturizer, both with tea tree oil, help keep blemishes at bay.

I’m now happy to report my face is smooth and clear once again! Now, I realize that my situation may not be the the same for other acne sufferers, but the story seems worth telling for the purpose of looking at our diet first in solving health issues of any kind. The next time your body starts to change in a way that is displeasing, steer clear of the quick chemical fixes and look to nature to solve all ill wills!

About the author

Ellen Holder is co-founder of Caren, an online store for natural, organic and synthetic chemical free skin care products. http://www.carenonline.com