Acne Cures

Many unfortunate people between the ages of twelve and twenty four suffer from acne. It's uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Boys tend to fall victim to it more than girls at the onset of puberty, probably because of the increased level of the hormone testosterone in the body.

Acne is generally caused by bacteria filling up clogged pores, resulting in zits breaking out. The zits usually spread over the face, back, shoulders, chest and neck. Some doctors think it may be hereditary. There is a plethora of advice when it comes to acne cures.

A lot of people with severe acne seek advice from doctors and specialist dermatologists. Some sufferers use over the counter treatments, some have prescription treatments and others prefer to use natural methods.

There is a lot of anecdotal promotion of the merits of one treatment or another and it all gets very confusing. You just have to see which acne cures work for you and it may be a case of trial and error. There are even some experts who say there is no such thing as an acne cure and that you should disregard such claims.

Whatever the claims and counter claims of different sorts of treatment, prevention is certainly preferable to acne cures. It's certainly worth a try anyway.

Attention to diet is important and ideally, your diet should consist of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, juices, lean protein, such as chicken or fish, and lots and lots of water. You need fiber. Fiber promotes a healthy digestive system, indispensable to getting the most out of your food. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of fiber. You can also take daily supplements of Vitamins A, B complex, C, E, zinc and selenium. It is also important to eat regular meals as eating irregularly can cause constipation and this can promote acne because the toxic material has to break out somewhere.

Two herbs you'll find especially useful are turmeric and barberry.

Turmeric has been used for thousands of years for digestive health. It is a natural antibiotic, strengthening and toning the digestive system, while correctly balancing intestinal flora. Clinical studies back up this anecdotal use. If you enjoy curry dishes, go for it!  Recipes for Indian dishes containing chicken (a lean protein), green vegetables and turmeric, the main constituent of curry, abound.  Turmeric is quite inexpensive, and goes a long way towards combating acne problems.

Barberry is traditionally used for acne problems. Chinese and Japanese medicine, as well as many  western clinical studies confirm it's efficacy.

Now that you know what you should be eating to control acne problems, here's what you should avoid.

Fried foods and hydrogenated fats, such as margarine, and refined and processed foods in general is a good start. People with acne problems are already overloaded with excess oil in the sebaceous glands, which ultimately ends up producing a pimple or an acne condition. Olive oil is the oil of choice. This "thin" oil, has no cholesterol or trans-fatty acids.

Also, try to cut down on chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, soft drinks and tobacco. Junk food and refined sugar are main contributors to acne problems. Avoid them!

It may not be possible to prevent the acne but you may be able to lessen its effects. If all measures fail, it's time to decide on which of the acne cures to try. There are numerous gels, lotions, creams and solutions on the market. Benzoyl Peroxide is a common ingredient in over the counter medications and some people have found that it works very well, especially when combined with regular cleansing and moisturizing. Other acne cures are antibiotics, salicylic acid and sulfur.

Other people prefer to try vitamins or natural herbal remedies. These are all easily available as acne cures. Vitamin A and Niacin is recommended, and also Zinc tablets. There are a number of home remedies that you could try. Some sufferers apply orange peel crushed with water or lemon juice. Another acne cure is coriander or mint juice mixed with a little bit of turmeric powder. Others apply grated cucumber leaves or crushed garlic cloves. You could also try an overnight face mask made from mashed up fenugreek leaves, to be washed off when you wake next day.  Tea Tree Oil is said to be another acne cure. You can also bathe in a soothing hot tub of  Epsom Salts.

Whichever method you decide to use, don't undo the benefits of your acne cures by picking at the skin. Also, don't make it worse by scrubbing at the acne with any harsh material. Be kind to yourself!

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