Affordable Acne Treatments

The most common form of acne appears as we enter puberty. This is because the creation of our skin oil (called sebum) is governed by the sex hormones (androgens). The more testosterone, 5-testosterone (DHT) and 5-androstene-317diol we produce, the more sebum our bodies make. Sebum is excreted by our pores as a natural way to keep our skin moist, supple and waterproof.

When we make too much sebum it can mix with bacteria and dead skin cells and block the pores. The bacteria grows which puts pressure on the clogged pore and the result is a blackhead or pimple. The theory of acne treatment is actually fairly simple and straightforward. Make an effort to minimize the body’s production of sebum and continue to keep the skin free of oil and bacteria.

The practice is, of course, a little more complicated because you have to do these things without creating more, and possibly worse, problems.

It can be unwise to mess with hormone production, particularly at such a crucial time of development, and using harsh astringents to dry your skin will leave it cracked, red and sore.

The solution lies in small changes to your diet, the careful selection of vitamins and the use of specially formulated soaps and cleansers.

Acne is not life-threatening and it will be part of your life for many years. Prescription drugs, even though they may rid you of the visible signs of acne, are rarely justified in any but the most severe cases.

Controlling your acne starts with your diet. Initially you need to fix the inside before you can treat the outside. Most likely you heard it many times, but our modern high fast, fast food lifestyle is bad for us. Keep clear of processed and packaged food and consume only fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly the leafy green ones. Lean meat and nuts in moderation are fine and drink mostly water. Avoid sugary juice and carbonated drinks and cut way back on dairy products like milk and ice cream.

You should think about taking supplemental vitamins but be cautious as overdosing on certain vitamins can do more harm than good. It’s a good idea to find a vitamin program that’s designed to target acne.

Keeping the skin clear of excess oil and free of bacteria is an important part of your acne treatment. There are many specially formulated soaps and cleaners on the market designed to keep your skin clean without depleting the natural oils that keep your skin smooth and supple.

Lastly, refrain from squeezing or popping your zits. It can cause infections and possible scarring that will be with you the rest of your life.

Acne can’t be cured but you can control it. Proper diet and a consistent cleansing regimen will reward you with a clear complexion free of blemishes.