Acne is classified as a skin disease.  It is a medical problem, caused by the sebaceous glands producing too much sebum.  Sebum is an oily substance that our body needs to stop our skin and hair from drying out, but excessive amounts result in Acne.  The oil builds up in the hair follicle and leads to damage.  When the oil is exposed to the dust and dirt in our atmosphere, bacteria grows, this results in pimples, blackheads or spots.  It depends on your skin type, as which type of product is best.  That’s why it is best to choose an Acne treatment for your skin type.

When it comes to our facial washes, cleansing lotions, shower gels and even shampoo, we choose a product that is suitable for our particular skin type.  When it comes to treating Acne, we should make the same considerations about our choice of product.  The product base will dictate which skin type that Acne product is particularly suited for.  Lotions tend to be the best ‘all rounder’, good for most skin types and cause only moderate irritation to the skin.  Although treatments containing Propylene Glycol can leave the skin feeling a little dry. 

Water based and alcohol free, aqueous solutions, cause very little irritation to the skin, and are good for normal to dry skins.  These should be avoided by those with oily, or combination skin.  Ointments are good for people with normal to dry skin.  They tend to be low irritants, but due to their greasy nature they are only suitable for treating small areas of affected skin. 

Finding a good Acne treatment for oily skin can be tricky.  Foams are good, and can treat large areas of affected skin.  Their drawback is their price, they do tend to be a bit on the expensive side.  If the budget’s a bit tight, creams might be a better choice.  They tend to be more economical and are much less greasy, than many of the products on offer.  Creams are also absorbed quickly, making them good for treating larger areas.  It is important to use an Acne treatment for your skin type.  Do some research and make sure you choose what’s right for you.

The Major Cause

Pimples are blockages within the tiny hair follicles of the face and body.  Most often, caused by hormonal imbalances, which can the sebaceous gland to over react.  The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called Sebum, and this is why the follicles block.  The result is, the pimple.  Young people, during puberty, are the number one sufferers.  A mild case of teenage pimples can be a problem.  When it becomes more that that, it can affect the teenager, mentally and physically.  Unfortunately, teenagers and pimples, do seem to go hand in hand, most of the time.

Treatment

Pollution and dust do not help, they too can block pores and cause pimples.  In a modern world, short of living in the Antartic, these two elements are hard to avoid.  Combined, teenagers can find themselves with a major problem.  Sensitive and oily skin is also more prone.  Following a healthy diet and making sure you drink plenty of water, can help improve the condition.  When it comes to pimples, the saying, prevention is better than cure, definitely applies.  Herbal remedies and  supplements can help.  There are also some great, over the counter, medicated, facial washes, ointments and lotions available.  Especially formulated for teenagers with pimples.

Research

There are only two herbs which have been researched, and actually proven to fight teenage pimple problems.  They are Green Tea, and Tea Tree Oil.  Recent research shows that herbal treatments, containing these, can be very effective for controlling pimples and Acne.  However, due to the fact that the cause of the pimple is hormonal, they will not stop the cause.  Medicated treatments have been researched far more, so the results are more conclusive because of this.  They include all prescription drugs, and some antibiotics.  If a pimple condition seems to become worse, it is always best to seek advice from your medical practitioner.  Maybe teenagers and pimples don’t have to be hand in hand, after all.

There are lots of Natural Acne Treatments you could try, including cleansing products, techniques and supplements.  There are things you can do, and things you can’t do, if you want to improve the problem.  To get you started, here’s a quick run down, of some simple and easy ways, to improve Acne.   

Diet: As with most things, related to our physical health, diet has a big part to play.  DO drink plenty of water, as dehydration can greatly aggravate the problem.  DO keep your sugar and carbohydrate intake under control.  Watching what you eat can produce welcoming changes, to an Acne effected skin.

Herbal Extracts: For centuries Aloe Vera has been renowned for it’s anti inflammatory and analgesic qualities.  Many people have used in creams and lotions, but when ingested this plant extract can work wonder’s on problematic skin.  It is bursting with anti oxidants, so is good for the treatment of Acne, as well as many other physical ailments.

Cleansing: Keeping skin clean, without stripping it of it’s natural lipids, is important when cleaning Acne affected skin.  A great natural mask, you could try, is Green Clay.  When mixed with a little water, and applied to the face, it draws out unwanted toxins and dirt in the skin.  Especially important for those suffering with Acne.  Just leave to dry and rinse!

Homeopathy:  More and more, this completely drug free treatment is being used to treat Acne.  Results seem to depend greatly on the individual, but no matter what, at least side effects are a rarity.  Homeopathy works on the principle of treating a person as a whole.  A Homeopath does simply concentrating on the symptom, which in this case, would be Acne.

Today there are some really effective Natural Acne Treatments Available.  Many of them are as good for your body as they are for your skin.  People might be suffering from it either severely, moderately or mildly.  How an individual manages Acne would depend greatly on the severity of the condition.  If you do not seem to be able to keep it controlled, the best thing to do is, seek the help of a professional dermatologist.

Herbal Acne Treatments:

Acne can flare up due to many things.  Often it appears during puberty and pregnancy, because of hormone peaks in the body.  Stress, steroids and various medicines can also aggravate the condition.  Herbal Acne Treatments can offer be a successful solution for many people suffering from Acne.  However, it can be more than three weeks, for any real visual results to happen.  Herbal Treatments need time to build up in the system, there are no overnight miracles, and they must be used consistently to have effect.  There are several, popular remedies around, commonly used to effectively treat for Acne.

One of the most popular herbal treatment use the oil derived from the Australian Tea Tree.  Tea tree oil has been used for centuries for it’s antiseptic quality and recent tests found it actually inhibits the growth of Acne.  Even when cases are severe.  Echinacea boosts our immune systems, and this can also help reduce the spread of Acne.

Green Tea extract is believed to be as effective as Benzoyl Peroxide, a treatment often prescribed for the treatment of Acne.  Very effective when applied as a cream, and also found to be somewhat successful when taken in tablet form.

Marigold Tea, also known as Calendula, has also been known to bring relief when washed over affected skin.

There has been little research, but there seems to be a general belief, Cayenne, Alfalfa, Dandelion and Burdock roots, and Red Clover, are all effective in helping to treat Acne in adults.  Besides taking the treatments, the skin should be kept clean without being stripping of natural lipids.  Harsh exfoliating scrubs should be avoided as they can spread infection and damage the skin.

There are literally thousands of Herbal Acne Treatments around.  Each have a different combination of natural plant and herb extracts.  Which one is right for you may very well be a simple case of trial and error.  Herbal treatments are not the only alternative to prescription drugs, there are lots of other options available.  Even reducing carbohydrates and sugar in your diet can help.  Whichever your decide, use it religiously and it should give the desired result.

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Pimples can be a nightmare for teenagers, but adults are not immune to the problem either.  Pimples can be caused by the skin reacting to high testosterone levels in the body.  Hence teenagers reaching puberty are the number one sufferer’s.  High testosterone levels make the sebaceous glands over produce an oily substance our hair and skin needs, sebum.  This blocks the hair follicles, causing blackheads and pimples.  In serious cases it can lead to Acne.  This when most girls will be asking the question, will makeup worsen my pimples?  The answer is no, but you should take care.  Here’s a few of the do’s and don’ts, regarding how to apply make up when you have pimples too. 

For larger areas of effected skin, some of the most famous make up artists use a technique known as ‘icing’ to treat the pimple, before applying any coverage.  To do this, gently rotate a small piece of ice all around the affected area.  If your condition is more isolated, small pimples are best treated with any concealer containing salicylic acid.  This will help dry the pimple out and camouflage it at the same time.  There are lots of products available, just ask your pharmacist. 

If your pimple is raised and red, firstly, don’t be tempted to squeeze it!  That will just cause more problems tomorrow.  For this, find a product that combines salicylic acid with camphor.  Normally, a dab of this will help reduce the problem.  Stay away from heavy based foundations, they can contain Pomades.  This describes waxy type substances, like petroleum jelly and mineral oils.  If you are still finding it difficult to master how to apply make up when you have pimples too, consult a professional.  If your skin is really bad, it is always best not to wear any make up at all.

Firstly, wearing less make up does not mean less attractive.  It is possible to look polished and presentable with applying very little to your face.  But there is a knack to looking good with minimum make up.  Keeping your skin healthy is all important, so the first thing to do is follow a good skin care regime, that will leave your face clean and glowing with health.  Most professionals recommend using a cleanser morning and night.  Either cream or a facial wash is fine, but take your time to choose a product that is best suited for your skin type.  Toners will remove every last trace of impurities and make up.  Follow up with a good moisturiser to re-hydrate the skin.

1. Nicely shaped eyebrows are essential to emphasise the eyes.  Keep them brushed and clear of straggly hairs for a polished look.

2.Curl your eyelashes.  This will make stand out more without the use of a mascara.  If you want, use a clear one to add more definition. 

3. Avoid wearing foundation.  Use a spot concealer to hide any blemish’s or scars.  Opt for a naturally coloured, tinted moisturiser to even out skin tone without being ‘caked’.

4. There are some pretty powder blushers available and glimmers for the cheeks.  Some of them can also be used on the eyes  Stick to nude tones, just to add a warm glow to the face.

5. If you feel ‘bare’ without eye shadow, stick to the cream versions in shades of lilac and green.  They tend to look the most natural. 

6. Bold lip colours are out.  Choose a tinted lip balm or gloss, to keep things looking minimum.

Nowadays, there are lots of fabulous products around that can help you look great, without being overdone.  It doesn’t matter if you’re on a budget, shop around and check out the sales.  There are often some great offers being help by some of the top brands.  It doesn’t even have to take up too much of your time.  All you need is the know how.  Hopefully, these simple tips to looking good with minimum makeup will get you started.  Before you know it, you’ll have it all down to a fine art!

Going Natural is definitely the ‘cool’ thing to do.  Being eco friendly doesn’t have to be limited to the household cleaning products, or mean you have to go and buy an electric car.  You could make a real lifestyle change, buying a new lipstick!  Now doesn’t that sound good girls?!  Natural beauty products are good for the environment, and good for you too!  You might already be using ‘green’, products in the bathroom.  After all, why cover your body in toxins?  But don’t stop with the hair shampoo and bath foam.  There are lots of high quality, natural beauty cosmetics around.  After all, cosmetics are often part of a women’s daily routine, and up to sixty percent of whatever we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies.  So it makes sense to keep it natural. 

Face powders, lotions and creams, moisturising lip glimmers and gloss’s.  Go crazy!!  Look around, there’s lot’s of top brands producing organic, and phthalate free cosmetics - a chemical which disrupts our endocrine system, effecting reproduction and development.  Parabens should also be given their marching orders.  These are chemicals beginning with butyl, isobutyl, methyl, ethyl and propyl.  All have been linked to breast cancer, weight gain and even hormonal problems in women.  Choose products using natural mineral pigments and therapeutic botanical ingredients, avoid those containing mineral oils and petroleum.  Manufacturers of Hypo Allergenic cosmetics are also releasing new, organic and mineral, natural beauty lines. 

Save yourself some time, and do your homework.  Check online, which companies are ‘non toxic’, producing natural beauty cosmetics?  To be eco friendly you don’t have to give up your high heels and glossy lipstick! swapping them for hemp clothing and paper flip flops!  It is possible to look great and have a more eco-friendly lifestyle.  Be as environmentally aware with your beauty products, as you might be with your groceries.  Check the ingredients, what chemicals have they used?  Is the packaging bio degradable?  Was it tested on animals?  Some companies state they use certified biodynamic and organic resources.  Eco conscious products and packaging do exist.  Use them to help you, and the environment, to stay naturally beautiful!