Can Vitamins Fight Acne?

Author: Ron King
Source: isnare.com

In the early stage of the ongoing war with acne, most people go to a pharmacy to buy an over-the-counter medication. There are so many treatments available for acne, that it can be a complicated decision. Advice from friends is not a reliable method for making a choice, because what worked for 1 person may not work for another. And advertising advice? Who trusts that?

You can make a more informed choice about which product to try just by knowing about the active ingredients in the various acne medications.

Benzoyl Peroxide

1 of the most popular ingredients in acne medications, benzoyl peroxide is available in gels and ointments. It kills the bacteria that causes pimples and helps remove dead skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin. These dead skin cells, when combined with sebum (oil), create blackheads and whiteheads. Dry skin is the only side effect, which can be minimized with less frequent application. It has a bleaching effect, so avoid hair and clothing when applying it.

Salicylic Acid

This is a popular acne ingredient which clears up dead skin cells that clog the pores. Continued use even after the skin has cleared up is necessary to avoid future acne outbreaks. Again, the side effect is dry, irritated skin.

Resorcinol

Resorcinol causes the top layer of skin to peel, which removes the dead skin cells that clog pores. It is often combined with sulphur.

Sulphur

Because of a strong, unpleasant odor, sulphur is usually combined with other ingredients. How it works is unknown, but it’s been used effectively for decades. Sulphur is often combined with salicylate acid and benzoyl peroxide.

Products

Of all these ingredients, benzoyl peroxide is probably the most versatile. It can be made into cleansing liquids, bars, gels, lotions and cream, all of which are applied directly to the skin. Cleansing products are usually used once or twice daily, with creams and lotions applied as needed. They are most effective when rubbed on the area surrounding the acne, as well as on the pimples themselves.

It’s always a good idea to discuss acne with a doctor before self-treating with any of these medications. Even though acne is a fairly harmless condition, a doctor can often offer better suggestions and explain the best way to handle your condition based on your particular kind of acne.

Author: Steve William
Source: isnare.com

Mild Acne is quite common and persists for differentamounts of time for different people. This can be due tovarying environmental or genetic factors, or a combinationof both.

Mild acne usually consists of minor breakouts ofwhiteheads, blackheads, pimples and zits. While thesebreakouts don’t persist for extended periods of time, theycan be painfully uncomfortable or irritating to the skin,especially the skin on the face and forehead.

For any type of skin problem, it’s best to consult with adermatologist for advice. She or he will be able toidentify exactly the type of acne you have, its degree ofseverity, and the type medication that you might choose touse.

However, with mild acne, it’s often recommended to startfirst by using a topical cream. Commonly, this can bebought without a prescription over the counter (OTC).

Topical creams are rubbed in over the affected skin area.Used nearly two or three times per day, along with properwashing and rinsing, it’s effective against minor cases ofacne. But, you need to be sure and give the medicine six oreight weeks, even if the acne has subsided, before you stopusing it.

In the beginning of use, even OTC medicines may cause yousome minor burning or irritation. Most OTC skin creams ofthis nature take anywhere from a week or two to get used to(or, for the slight burning or irritation to stop).

There are many types of medicines available. As mentioned,it’s important to consult with a doctor or dermatologistbefore starting your own treatment regimen, even if thecreams or medications are available OTC. In any case,benzyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur arecommonly used to treat minor cases of acne.

Benzyl peroxide will help lower the oil production in yourfacial skin glands. Resorcinol, salicylic acid and sulfurare effective against eliminating whiteheads and blackheadsSalicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells,which prevents pores from getting overly clogged or pluggedwith residue. Topical creams can come in the form of adaily lotion or gel, oil-free creams and soaps.

Again, remember that it can take some time before you startto see (or even feel) the benefits of such medications.There are other alternatives as minor acne isn’t as much ofa nuisance as other, more extreme cases.

In any regard, be sure to follow your plan for severalweeks, otherwise the acne may not clear up completely. And,if the problem persists, simply work out another treatmentoption with your doctor or dermatologist.