Acne Treatment Blog

When you're living with acne, it seems like everyone you meet wants to tell you about some magical cure they know of that can stop your breakouts. Unfortunately, most of these "cures" are not worth a second of your time...and some may even make your skin worse. While some are so bizarre (banana peels on your face?) that they're rejected outright, others seem logical enough that they start to get passed around as legitimate options, despite having no evidence for their effectiveness.

Here is a look at five such myths. While they may be tempting to try, in the long run they're only preventing you from finding a treatment that will actually work (and don't forget they can make your skin worse by irritating it and/or increasing the danger of skin cancer).

While the topic of sex may be considered bedroom talk to some, experts and acne sufferers are having open and honest conversations about its impact on skin health and condition.

If you've ever been curious about the link between the two, you're in luck! Here we'll explain how some intimate fun can keep your skin healthy and clear. Additionally, we'll take a look at the role of sex hormones in the development of women's acne and what you can do to prevent acne.

Sex. If you're dealing with acne, it's one of those issues that might not leave you feeling so sexy. However, think again.  While it might seem unusual, there is a definite connection between sex and making your breakouts less prevailing and large, and with the right information, you can keep your skin clear and have a little fun in the process. Here is a look at just how sex (and sex hormones) can affect the quality of your skin.

The Skincare Benefits of Sex

Let's be honest-most men don't need any motivation to have sex outside of the act itself. However, getting intimate with your partner can have some unexpected benefits in your fight against breakouts:

Reduce Oil, Shrink Pores, Get an Even Skin Tone, Brighten Skin

Spring has sprung (sort of!) and with that renewal, our skin also needs some assistance as it begins to get used to the different climate. New issues may arise or not, however, adding a new revitalizing mask to your skincare regimen can be a simple and effective way to help you in your journey to treat acne. Please note that this mask WILL NOT TREAT your acne (you need a TREATMENT to do this) so do not use it as a replacement for a treatment. It will however provide you with another highly effective skincare tip as you're on your way to an acne-free life.

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't enjoy a relaxing day at the spa, and because of this, these facilities are more prevalent than ever. While spa treatments are a great way to get away from it all, they may also be able to help in your fight against acne - as many promote healthy, clear skin. However, finding a treatment that works for you is not as simple as choosing the first thing you see. If you play it smart, though, you may just find something that works as a good supplement to your normal acne-fighting routine. Just remember however, these treatments DO NOT treat acne - they assist an acne treatment.

Antioxidants hold a position of privilege among health conscious individuals. These powerful substances have the ability to locate and destroy free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can lead to illness and aging. Antioxidants are essential for overall health and wellness, but in particular they can promote clear skin and reduce the effects of acne. Here is a look at four particular ones that do just that.

Keep in mind that antioxidants do not treat the underlying causes of acne, and therefore cannot eliminate your problems entirely. However, they are indeed powerful enough to help you along your quest for healthy skin.

How much do you really know about dealing with breakouts? While most of us like to think that we're experts on the subject of skincare, there are some common misconceptions that can confuse even the savviest of people. That's why we've created this quiz asking questions about the right (and wrong) ways to deal with acne. No one likes homework, but this is one quiz that can keep your skin healthy and acne-free!

Sebaceous glands are present throughout the skin on our body with the exception of our palms and the bottoms of our feet.  These glands produce skin oil known as sebum which keeps our skin, soft, protected, and elastic. Without sebum, our skin would look like alligator skin...scaly and overly dry. But sometimes these glands produce too much skin oil and our skin becomes too oily.  Our face, and sometimes our body, shines in all the wrong places leading to melting make-up and an unhealthy appearance. But very often, too much oil also leads to dreaded breakouts and unsightly pimples.

Indeed oily skin is known to be a precursor to acne and even though some individuals with dry skin also get acne, the majority of acne sufferers have oily skin.  So, if you want to prevent an acne breakout and get rid of your oily complexion, you need to control the excess oil being produced by your sebaceous glands.  But, how?  Read on.

The holidays are officially upon us, and with them come lots of festivities and fun gatherings. During this social time of the year, you may be taking extra steps to ensure that you always look your best, and healthy, clear skin is probably pretty high on your list of priorities. Unfortunately, acne isn't very cooperative, and you may find yourself with breakouts at the most inopportune times. When this happens, it can be very tempting to turn to products offering a quick fix for your skin problems. However, relying on an endless string of supposedly fast-acting products can actually be doing more harm than good - and more importantly, first, you need to address those acne warning signs that are too serious to ignore. 

If you find yourself constantly reaching for the latest miracle cream or treatment, read this before you buy anything else.

While there's no denying that acne is a big concern and a very tough emotional experience for many, you can breath a sigh of relief knowing that it's not a major health issue. There are options available for treating it, albeit some are better than others, and it can be very difficult to choose an option that is right for you.  However, there are some signs that your breakouts may not be typical or that are so severe that may lead to permanent skin damage. In these cases, it's important that you not ignore the signs your body is giving you. Here is a look at just a few instances where this is the case. 

Many people assume that acne is limited to the face, but it can actually occur on all parts of the body that have sebaceous glands and hair follicles that are EVERYWHERE (with the exception of the palms and feet). As it is not common to have acne over all your body, having outbreaks in areas others than the face -most commonly on the neck, back, chest, and shoulders - has become more and more prevailing.

Essential oils - the fragrant essences extracted from plants - have long been a staple of aromatherapy, but is it possible that they could help improve your acne as well? As you'll see, the answer to this question is not so clean-cut. It's true that they can be an effective supplement for your skincare routine, but there are also a few precautions to keep in mind when using them.

The Potential Benefits of Essential Oils for Acne Treatment

Many of the commonly used essential oils have powerful antibacterial properties - including tea tree oil, lavender oil, and bergamot oil. Since breakouts partially occur because acne-causing bacteria become trapped inside our pores, you can see why these might be useful. Additionally, many other oils also have a drying effect on the skin, which is perfect for those who are constantly battling oily skin. Some popular choices for this include rosemary oil, geranium oil, and rose oil.

There have never been more ways pretending to treat breakouts than right now. While these abundance of choices may look great for acne sufferers at least at first glance, not all of them are effective or even safe. Here are three increasingly popular trends that are making their mark in the world of skincare that we need to take a closer look at as for their real impact on treating acne (or their efficacy) and their safety profile.

The Diet Approach

For a long time, acne treatment was all about addressing the problem from the outside with things like creams and cleansers. While topical acne treatments are no doubt still popular, many people are beginning to see that what we put into our bodies is just as important as what we put on them. Take sugar, for example. Studies have shown that frequently eating high-sugar foods can cause skin inflammation that makes you more prone to acne breakouts. For this reason, dietary approaches to preventing breakouts have become increasingly important in the world of skincare.

For those who have food allergies, know someone with them and/or don't want to give out candy this year:  paint a pumpkin teal, and put it on your doorstep this Halloween.  Why?  The Teal Pumpkin Project is a public awareness campaign designed by FoodAllergy.org to raise awareness of food allergies by providing non-food treats for trick-or-treaters. 

Halloween time is here, and in addition to fun costumes and scary movies, it means lots and lots of candy! While there's nothing wrong with getting in the holiday spirit and indulging in a few sweet treats, lots of excess sugar can be a real terror on your skin. So, before you reach for a handful of candy corn or another mini candy bar, take a look at some of the facts on sugar and how you can keep your Halloween sweet but acne free.

Please note while reading, that we recommend when possible to purchase organic and non GMO food. 

Fall is here, and that means it's time to enjoy some of our favorite seasonal foods again. While dietary choices may not be a primary cause of acne, studies have shown that the things we eat do play at least somewhat of a role in our skin's health. For that reason, it's important to make healthy choices this fall season-especially since sugary, high-calorie treats lurk around every corner. Here's a look at four autumn-inspired foods that will help keep your skin glowing and acne-free over the coming months.

Even though we still have some time before moving our clocks back (on November 2!) for the Fall, we want to help make sure you don't fall short on your skincare regimen.

After a Summer spent in the sun sweating and applying lots of sunscreen, our pores get clogged more than usual, our skin can look dull and dry, hyperpigmentation is more profound, and pimples, blackheads and whiteheads may become more aggressive. In addition, the change in our daily routine with back-to-school and back-to-work stress makes acne breakouts even less tolerable while often more frequent. 

The FDA recently issued a warning regarding topical acne products that may have dangerous side effects (copy and paste this URL into your browser to see the announcement. We wanted to provide you with a place where you could get the facts in an easy to understand way. 

When it comes to our health, wellness or beauty, we deal with a significant number of choices regarding products that claim to be able to help us, or perhaps help us meet our personal goals.

Probiotics have come to the forefront of being an essential tool to helping maintain a healthy digestive and immune system.  Despite this popularity, many people aren't entirely sure of what they are or what they can do. Here's a look at just a few of their great benefits-including a discussion of how they may be able to help you in your fight against acne.

What are probiotics?

You would be hard pressed to find someone who hasn't heard of probiotics and their numerous health benefits, but what exactly are they? The term "probiotic" refers to a wide range of microorganisms which can be found in certain foods, drinks, and supplements that help regulate everything from digestion to allergies. Most of these microorganisms are bacteria, and while chowing down on something commonly found in a petri dish may not sound appetizing, you might be surprised to learn that your gastrointestinal tract is already teeming with them!

Going back to school means a lot of things-seeing old friends, making new ones, and unfortunately, homework. However, one thing that it shouldn't mean is a fear of acne breakouts. Thankfully, if you're smart and proactive about your skincare, there's no need to worry about pesky problems like that. Here are five tips to help ensure that your new school year is filled with clear skin and self-confidence.

There's no denying that waiting around for great things to happen is no fun. It would be much more gratifying if we could get the things we want at the moment we want them, but unfortunately that's just not how the world works.

Treating acne is no different. People are constantly looking for "a miracle cure" that can give them clear skin overnight, but eventually they all learn that a product like that doesn't exist.

Instead, the trick to beating acne once and for all isn't in a magic cream or potion -it comes down to having some good old fashioned patience and perseverance.

The association between aloe vera and skincare is nothing new-people have been using it to treat everything from sunburns to eczema for centuries now. However, is this plant extract also a good addition for acne prone skin? The answer is a bit of a mixed bag.

First and foremost, it's important to remember that aloe vera cannot really cure your acne on its own. The only solution for permanently stopping breakouts is addressing the problem at its root. However, that being said, aloe can work as a wonderful supplemental product for certain acne-related issues.  In its pure form, it's a non-comedogenic moisturizer with anti- inflammatory properties.

Large and small pimples are only one of acne's physical symptoms, but they are easily the most noticeable, discussed, and most hated. Because of this, people are normally willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of them as soon as possible without considering the long-term impact on their skin and without understanding that the superficial removal of a pimple is very far from treating acne. Short term, you may get rid of this ugly white head sticking out from your skin, but popping pimples can increase your risk of getting new and more severe pimples or cysts in the future as it actually opens "a window" for infection and may spread bacteria throughout your skin too. Furthermore popping pimples damages the skin tissue, and if this damage is deep enough it will lead to acne scars and marks. 

Water - it covers our planet, our bodies consist of over 80% of it, and we need it to survive. We also waste it, spill it, pollute it and even try to save it.  Even though water is so pervasive in our lives, have you ever gave it a thought as to what effect water might have on your acne? If not, you're in luck! This article has been designed to provide you with everything you need to know about H2O-it covers drinking water to using water as a recreational activity and everything in between.

We often think of water as a universally beneficial substance, but under certain conditions and with certain kinds of water, you may actually be hurting yourself in the fight against acne.

Unfortunately, there is a large amount of disinformation on the web these days about the sun and the effect it can have on breakouts. As some myths promote practices that are unnecessary but relatively harmless, those related to sun exposure can become downright dangerous. Let's take a look at some of these acne "urban legends" about the sun and discover what the truth actually is.

No one likes dealing with the summer heat, and for acne sufferers it's not just a matter of staying comfortable-they're also worried that the hot weather may negatively affect their breakouts. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your skin during the dog days of summer. Don't let the heat get you down-use these tips to keep yourself safe from the sun.

Try to Limit Sun Exposure During the Hottest Times of the Day

If you're able to avoid sun exposure during the hottest times of the day, which are later afternoon in the summer, then by all means do so because you'll be missing out on both the heat and UV rays that can negatively impact your skin.

Ten years ago, the average person would have never even heard of gluten; however, today it seems to be the one thing that people can't stop talking about! It also became a nutritional villain blamed for all sorts of health issues, and a marketing bonanza occurred within the food industry as a whole range of gluten-free products were born and brought to market to provide those who truly should avoid (and those who believe they should avoid) gluten rich products.

So is this anti-gluten rally a step in the right direction to healthier living or yet another food fad?  And more importantly, can eliminating gluten really help with acne breakouts?

Even though food is

not responsible for the underlying hormonal causes of acne, there are certain

products that have the potential to exacerbate acne breakouts or prime your

skin for new breakouts in the future. Dairy products are frequently cited as

one of these "problem foods", which has caused many an acne

sufferer to abandon some of their favorite dairy-based treats in the hopes

that this dietary switch would make their acne problems finally go away for

good.

Summer is officially here, and for most people that means eating lots of chilly treats to stay cool. However, when it comes to keeping your skin healthy and acne free, not all treats are created equal-many of our summertime favorites are loaded with excess sugar, which can lead to skin inflammation or glycation (a loss of skin elasticity and sheen due to collagen deterioration-collagen serves as the building blocks of the skin).

If you're smart about it though, there are plenty of summer treat options out there that won't wreak havoc on your skin! It's all matter of finding foods which have many of the important vitamins and minerals for good skin health, and thankfully there are plenty out there.

Keep in mind that simply eating healthy foods won't treat or reverse conditions like acne, which has more of a hormonal basis than a dietary one; however, these skin-friendly foods do a good job of supplementing treatments that do address conditions like acne directly.

Acne pimples start to develop in pores that become clogged with excess sebum (skin oil) made by the sebaceous glands. How serious your acne problem is depends both on the length/persistence of acne breakouts over the years and how serious the inflammation is that manifests into different types of breakouts (from whiteheads to serious cysts and lesions).   If you suffer from acne for two or more years, you have chronic acne.
The most serious form of acne is cystic acne that forms when the pores become clogged with sebum mixed with dead skins cells that normally rise to the surface of the skin to be sloughed off and get trapped in the pore.  Bacteria also get trapped in this mix and as the body attempts to kill the bacteria using its immune system, you get a local inflammatory response due to cytokines, chemokines and white blood cells entering the area. Normally the pore is encased by the cells in the lower layers of the skin, but in the case of cysts this inflammation spreads under the top layer of the skin.  This influx of cells and proteins causes swelling (bumps under the skin) and can be both very painful and very harmful to your skin. 

Science and medicine have made progress in better understanding the underlying causes of diseases and therefore allowing physicians to tailor the treatment that is the best for a particular individual. Furthermore, researchers are continually developing more precise medications with a goal of increased efficacy and less adverse side effects. The birth of personalized medicine came about because of the Human Genome project that was completed in 2003 and for the first time in human history provided a detailed "genetic map" for mankind. This map is helping to explain why some individuals respond to a particular drug or treatment while others do not and also allows us to actually focus on individual needs for treatment rather than a traditional "mass approach." 

Sometimes, skincare dangers are in the places we least expect. Read on to learn how to save your skin.
How many times do your use a towel on your face before you grab a new one? If your answer is anything other than "once," you might want to rethink your habit. Even if you only ever use the towel on freshly cleaned skin, there's a chance your skin isn't 100% free of bacteria. Any residual bacteria can transfer to the towel, and if you use that towel again you're putting it right back on your face. The point is, if you want to keep your face as clean as possible, and thus your skin as clear as possible, err on the side of safety and use a fresh towel every time.

QUIZ TIME!

You've had acne for multiple years and you really only get breakouts a couple times a year.  Should you treat it as mild or moderate acne? 

So how do we sort through this skin-type madness in order to care of our skin the right way? For starters, let go of the misconception that only oily-skin people get acne. ANYONE can get acne, and EVERYONE and EVERY SKIN TYPE needs a proper skincare routine.

It has finally happened! You've cleared your skin of acne with AcnEase®! But now what? 

Can I stop taking AcnEase cold-turkey?

Stopping the treatment suddenly may work for some but for some it may also increase the risk for flare-ups to return. So we developed a strategy to minimize this risk. We suggest that instead of stopping AcnEase cold-turkey, you wean yourself off the treatment slowly by going down by one level of treatment over a 1-2 month period.For example, if you are on the severe acne regimen, you go down to moderate acne regimen. Stay on this level for 1-2 months, and if your skin remains clear, go down again to the mild acne regimen for 1-2 months.If you don't see any flare-ups within 1-2 months, then go down to the maintenance treatment. You can stay on the maintenance for a long time as AcnEase is safe for long-term use. Or, if you don't see any flare-ups in 1-2 months on the lowest maintenance dose (2x3 or 2x2 tablets daily), then congratulations! You may opt to stoptaking the product all together.

Numerous individuals with chronic acne opt to useAcnEase regularly on a lower regimen for a long time to make sure they maintain clear skin. All of the dosages for the treatments are located on each product page on our website--and all of the dosages also come with your order.

We get this question a lot, so chances are, you're wondering too! Here are the facts:

AcnEase® treatment  may take anywherebetween one to 6 months depending on the severity of your acne and how chronic it is. If you think this is a long time...think twice. If you use antibiotics, retinoids, oral contraceptives and of course any topical products, a minimum recommended time to see any results is 6 months. And if you stop using them, your acne will return, as none of them actually addresses the causes of acne and breaks the acne cycle. Even generic forms of Accutane with its severe adverse effectsare prescribed for a minimum of 6 months...so AcnEase can really help you not only better but also faster.

The Internet is full of "advice" and tips on every subject, and acne is no exception. Just one Google search can provide limitless DIY acne treatment tips and remedies. This is when it becomes most vital to do your research and rely on information from trustful and responsible sources because there are many DIY remedies that not only DO NOT WORK but may even make your skin condition worse--regardless of what anyone claims.

Allow us to provide you with the TRUTH about some of these DIY miracle acne tips and treatments.

Dr. Agnes and the AcnEase team want to provide you with more than just a quality acne treatment that will help you break the cycle of acne, and so we pride ourselves on providing you with not only the facts about AcnEase and the science behind it, but the facts behind acne skincare and skin health in general

We deliver the facts, and people are noticing.

AcnEase has received so many great reviews from AcnEase users, and sites like Acne.org and Amazon.com and also investigative sites like DoesItReallyWork.org, who recommend giving AcnEase a try because we are "legitimately trying to provide a quality product and not just after the quick buck.

In part I of a discussion on safety of acne treatments, we discussed how when we find ourselves suddenly experiencing acne breakouts, or when we suffer a long battle with acne and nothing seems to help, we may be willing to take any prescription acne treatment our doctor prescribes.

We may also reach for the first over-the-counter treatment we lay our eyes on or just look for what seems "the strongest." Again, what we often forget about is to consider both short-term and long-term health  consequences. Whatever the choice is, it will affect not only our skin but our entire system. So become an educated consumer!

Read on to learn more about your over-the-counter acne treatment and whether or not it's safe for you to keep using. And if you're using prescription acne treatments, don't forget to check out part 1 of this discussion.

When we find ourselves suddenly experiencing acne breakouts, or when we suffer a long battle with acne and nothing seems to help, we may try anything that our doctor will prescribe.

What we often forget about is to consider both short-term and long-term health consequences of treatments. Many products used for acne treatment are systemic (taken orally), and obviously they will affect not only our skin but our entire system. So, to be on the safe side, you really need to educate yourself before putting anything in to your body.

Learn more about your prescription acne treatment and whether or not it's safe for you to keep using, and keep your eye out for part 2 of this hot topic, which will help you decide whether your over-the-counter acne treatment is safe.

Your Drug-Free Acne Skincare Routine & Treatment

Along with the excitement of being pregnant means many changes in your body. One of them is a dramatic increase in hormone production, especially sex hormones such as androgens (testosterone), estrogen and progesterone. These are among the most potent stimulators of sebaceous glands. The overproduction of sebum (skin oil) by sebaceous glands is the first step in acne forming. The accumulated sebum together with bacteria, dead skin cells and dirt will lead to inflammation and infection manifesting itself as pimples, cysts, and in milder cases whiteheads and blackheads.  

The fact is that more than 1 in 2 women will develop acne during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. The problem is how to manage acne during the pregnancy while ensuring the safety of baby and mother, and to help the woman to feel the best she can during this very important period of her life. After all, a happy mommy is the best mommy.

Below is some important information on what to avoid, and what you can actually do to safely manage your acne during pregnancy.

We do everything we can to keep our skin healthy. We change our skincare routines to suit the season, we try to eliminate any ingredients that may be harming our skin. We eat seasonal, organic, acne-friendly foods and remain dedicated to our acne treatment regimen. But sometimes, mother nature throws us a loop. Sometimes, the mild winter weather our skin was doing just fine in is suddenly arctic and unrelenting--and that takes its toll on our skin. Traveling from a cold destination to a warm destination can take the same toll.  

So how do we keep our skin healthy during these crazy temperatures?

Not everyone wants overpriced roses and fancy dinner dates for Valentine's Day. So if you find yourself looking for a different way to celebrate YOU on Valentine's Day this year, consider throwing a mini spa party for yourself and even your friends! Also be sure to check out our other Valentine's Day articles for some healthy treat ideas and skin-friendly cocktail recipes!

Having acne-prone skin doesn't mean having to miss out on all the fun of either celebrating or not celebrating Valentine's Day! You can still enjoy yourself and enjoy a cocktail right alongside your friends without exacerbating your acne. 

You might be wondering what sort of cocktail you could sample (of course, if you are 21 years old or older and... in moderation) that won't give you sugar overload and negatively affect your skin. Try these 2 amazing cocktail recipes - your friends won't believe how healthy and skin-friendly they are!

When we think of Valentine's Day, we usually think of candy hearts and boxes of chocolate from friends and loved ones. And for those of us with acne, we think about how eating all of this extra sugar may wreak havoc on our skin.   

Need some V-Day ideas your skin will love? We've got you covered! 

1. Handmade Valentines: Feeling loved and loving others is a surefire way to boost your mood.  A happy person is one less likely to fall prey to stress, which can exacerbate acne. So spread the love this Valentine's Day with handmade valentines. Taking the time to craft a heartfelt message to your loved ones will remind you how happy you make each other, and your skin will glow with knowledge that powerful.  

You want to throw a rocking Super Bowl party--what you don't want to do is ruin the fun by chowing down on foods that may sabotage all your progress to get acne-free. Luckily, there are easy ways to turn your Super Bowl Sunday skin-friendly without ruining the fun.

1. Make it from scratch

You know that pizza you were planning to pick up from the local takeout? Oh, and that store-bought guacamole? Forget about them and make your own. We know you're busy, but think of how much better you'll feel knowing you're munching on the healthiest, most nutrient-dense pizza and guacamole possible.

Toss your own whole wheat pizza dough into a thin crust. To keep the sugar to a minimum, skip the tomato sauce and top with a variety of fresh, organic, veggies--tomatoes, peppers, spinach, squash, you name it--and a sprinkle of organic cheese. Bake and slice into small, finger-food-sized squares and share with your friends.

1. What goes into your juicer makes a difference

Some of the fruits and vegetables that you'll find at your local markets can actually help to heal, cleanse and nourish your skin from within. However, you don't want to get too excited and start throwing any fruit or vegetable you can find into your juicer. Some fruits may be better for your acne-prone skin than others. For example, if you have found in the past that you don't handle apples well, then you probably shouldn't throw them into the mix: juicing fruits or vegetables that aren't right for YOUR BODY won't magically make them good for you.

Using phytoestrogen-containing products to alleviate acne may not be as safe as you think

A common assumption amongst many is to believe that just because something is nature made
means that it is completely safe.  This my friends cannot be further
from the truth.  There are many natural substances that may have a
specific - but when taken in higher doses, mixed with other ingredients,
or abused, they may not bring any benefits and may even be unhealthy or
dangerous for you.

Okay, let's be honest: we may have succumbed to temptation (some more, some less) over the holidays, and now we need a decisive action to repair potential damage we did to our regimen for acne-free skin.

Follow these 3 essential steps to get back on track. The best scenario involves combining all 3 steps in a 3-day super detox. If you cannot do it all together however, do it in 2 or 3 consecutive mini-detox periods. 

3-Day Easy & Healthy Cleansing:

• Eat 1/2 of your normal food portions.
• Drink twice as much water or mint or chamomile tea as you usually drink.  
• Do not consume any desserts, cookies, sugar or any sugar substitutes.
• Do not drink coffee, hot cocoa or alcohol (or any products containing them.

We love myths. Our love of myths is the reason we populated Mount Olympus and the surrounding rivers and forests and even the seas of Greece, with a wonderful plethora of gods which survived thousands of years in literature, poetry and even common language. Actually, every culture has a similar collection of great, creative, educational myths.

But when we start transferring our weakness for myths from love and war stories to such important areas as health and make them into a pseudoscience, we have a problem.

I want to address one of those myths, a myth about testosterone-creating or testosterone-mimicking foods and plants that make women break-out in acne.

It's natural to want to spice up your look for new year's, but it's important that you do it in a way that will not make your acne worse or impede the healing effects of your acne treatment.

1. The basics

Both women and men should look for non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) foundations and concealers if they want to cover up their acne or any marks and scars. Make sure your makeup does not contain any of the following comedogenic oils

It can be tough to eat right for your acne-prone skin around the holidays, especially if you're surrounded by family recipes that aren't exactly acne-friendly. The best solution for you and your skin is to prepare a few dishes that are acne-friendly and that everyone can enjoy. Here are some acne-friendly recipes to get you started:

1. The main dish

Broiled Seafood
Choose one of the following meats that are great for acne-prone skin. Always look for wild-caught when it comes to fish.

The holiday season is a time for beauty but also for stress and cutting corners on proper skincare, eating habits, and a healthy lifestyle (including getting regular sleep and exercise). It's no surprise that this is the time for acne to flare up.

So to make it up to your skin for slacking in these areas, here's a 12-day guide to keeping breakouts away:

Clean and exfoliate naturally

Before exfoliating naturally with a papaya mask, try holding your face over a sink full of steaming hot water for a few minutes. This will open your pores and prep the skin for effective but gentle exfoliation. 

How to Become a Pro at Reading Product LabelsHow to Become a Pro at Reading Product Labels

Everything we put into and on our bodies affects our health and the health of our skin. And everything that goes into our bodies can be classified as either natural or artificial. These days, believe it or not, when a product is labeled "natural," some or many of the listed ingredients may actually be artificial or, contain an insignificant amount of a natural ingredient which may do not provide any real benefits. Just because something says it's natural, doesn't mean it is. It also does not mean that it is good for you. Using the word "natural" has become a marketing gimmick, and as a result, you may often be lead down the wrong path.

A product labelled "natural" might not mean what you think it means. And you might be paying extra for a product that isn't much better than the one that's not labelled "natural."

What does "natural" even mean?

The common definition of "natural": means derived from or made by nature. The FDA defines natural ingredients as those derived from natural sources, such as lecithin derived from soybeans and corn. But did you know the majority of soybeans and corn are genetically modified here in the US?

If you have acne, you've likely been told to stay away from sugar, and you've likely been confused. Does that mean you can't even have fruit? That you should consume sugar substitutes? That you can't make any of your favorite recipes this holiday season?

Allow us to help you clear the confusion in time for your next holiday party.

First, check out your refrigerator. Any mayo or Canadian bacon or soda in there? Now check your pantry. Is it full of cookies and other packaged goodies? Yes? Then it's full of sugar, too-and probably not the good kind. The sad truth is that sugar can be found in almost every food these days. When you combine all this sugar with foods that easily and rapidly convert into sugar like potatoes, pasta, crackers and potato chips, your skin may suffer the consequences.

These thoughts come to you as a message from the heart of our team to each and every one of our clients and potential clients fighting for clear skin right now. It also comes with our pledge that we are with you every step of the way so together we may turn a promise of clear skin into a reality. Stress is a horrible feeling no matter what time of year it is, but it's especially horrible around the holidays when it tends to creep up on us and keep us from getting the most out of family time.  Read on to turn your thought process around, and get the most out of this holiday season.

Stress is a horrible feeling no matter what time of year it is, but it's especially horrible around the holidays, when it tends to creep up on us and keep us from getting the most out of family time.

Even more unfortunate is the fact that stress is more than just a feeling. No matter what kind of stress you're experiencing, your body will respond in the same way: Adrenaline, the number one stress hormone, speeds up the heartbeat, breathing and metabolic rate to give you a necessary rush of extra energy. Adrenaline is produced and stored in our two adrenal glands, which are situated on top of the kidneys. With long-term stress, these glands will deplete.

Too much stress on our systems releases excess stress-related hormones, enzymes and other chemicals that leave us anxious and tense--and also with overstimulated sebaceous glands, which leads to more acne.

When winter brings cold air, harsh winds and falling snow our way, we're quick to trade in our summer T-shirts and fall jackets for heavier coats, fluffy scarves and warm gloves. But did you know you should be changing more than just the clothes you wear on your body? It's very possible you need to change the products you use on your body, as well.

If you have acne-prone skin, winter calls for a different skincare regimen than the one that got you through the warmer months. Failing to adjust your skincare routine could result in dry, flaky skin that will only make acne worse.

Follow these 4 tips to keep your skin healthy this winter, and come this spring you'll find your skin is as fresh as the blooming flowers.

Who doesn't want to go a bit overboard with makeup on Halloween? Though this is the time to get away with it, you still may want to do it in a way that does not exasperate your acne.  

Here are some Halloween tips to look crazy-good but let your acne-prone skin survive the night.

1. Accentuate - Do Not Experiment

Acne is a result of your pores being stuffed with too much sebum (skin oil) mixed with dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and, of course, bacteria.

Pumpkins. We can't get enough of them during the Halloween and Thanksgiving season.

We carve them, we stick them on our porches, we wait on line for once-a-year lattes, we make pies and soups and then we forget about pumpkins until next year.

So let's talk about why pumpkins should be on our minds all year round if you have acne.

Pumpkins are rich in nutrients and microelements that our skin and body can benefit from:

• Like carrots, sweet potatoes or oranges, pumpkins have an antioxidant power and are loaded with beta-carotene (arytenoids), which neutralize free radicals. This helps keep our skin healthy and young and may prevent cancer according to the National Cancer Institute.
• Pumpkin seeds are rich in amino acids and Vitamin B that are great for the skin. They are also rich in a special amino acid called tryptophan - that is important in the production of serotonin (our good mood player) so you don't only get healthy skin but are also happy!
• Feel a cold coming on? Rich in Vitamin C, pumpkins may help to boost your immune system. One cup of pumpkin soup has 20% or 60 mg of the daily-recommended dose of Vitamin C (15% of the amount recommended for men as they need 75 mg).
• The generous amount of fiber in pumpkin helps your GI system to keep healthy and helps in controlling sugar levels and a healthy weight.

1. Do Not Go to Sleep With Makeup

Acne-prone skin is usually a victim of too much sebum (skin oil) being produced by your sebaceous glands. It clogs your pores, and together with dirt, dead skin cells and of course bacteria will produce inflammation that manifests itself as pimples, comedones or cysts. Even the best makeup staying on your face overnight will add to this inflammation. Wash it out religiously each night.

2. Do Not Exercise With Makeup

When you exercise, you sweat... and sweat is a mixture of water and your skin oils. Adding makeup to this mix will clog your pores more and cause breakouts and enlarged pores, possibly perpetuating the acne cycle. 

An educated consumer is a smart consumer!

You certainly want to make sure that what you use will get rid of or at least contain your acne breakouts. So before you reach out for a bottle, cream or pill, read this.

Acne is actually a rather complex disease, even though the clinical manifestation is rather simple: pimples!  The driving force behind the formation of pimples is what is more complex. For instance, some women have an over-secretion of the adrenal glands that leads to elevated levels of testosterone (and androgen) in their blood, which is the cause of acne. For some, during adolescence, there may be a large growth spurt with very high levels of hormones. For others, acne is linked to their menstrual cycle. Genetic variation is also a large contributing factor; if parents had acne, it is likely their children will also have acne.

Beating acne is not really about what we put on our skin, but about the right treatment that will address the causes of acne (hyperactive sebaceous glands and the inflammation cascade that follows sebum-clogged pores). Since acne is the result of what happens inside of your body, topical products have only a miniscule impact on getting acne under control. Nevertheless, even though the treatment needs to come from the inside, what we do to our skin on the outside may either help or impede the treatment.

Cleaning your skin appropriately is recognized as potentially one of the most important "helpers" in acne treatment, as it can help remove bacteria-attracting dirt and extra, clogging dead skin cells from the pores. Unfortunately, if done inappropriately cleaning may actually hurt your acne-prone skin.

5 Rules for Cleaning Your Acne-Prone Skin

Although diet is not the cause of skin problems like acne, it plays an important role in their treatment. A poor diet can exacerbate acne, even if you do everything else right, but a good diet can help fight it. Since acne is an external manifestation of an internal disorder, the right foods can heal, cleanse and nourish your skin from within.

Here is the perfect menu to keep your kitchen acne-friendly:

Acne-Friendly Breakfast: Kiwi-flaxseed oatmeal and a skin-cleansing raspberry-pineapple-ginger smoothie

Why? If you don’t have wheat allergies, whole grains are great for you. They’re an excellent source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, iron, beta-glucan (which may help regulate blood sugar), vitamin B6, and the antioxidants known as avenanthramides (which may help promote healthy circulation). Flaxseed provides a good dose of vitamins E and B6 as well as essential fatty acids (EFAs). Kiwi is rich in many microelements including zinc, which is great for acne-prone skin and also contains a load of antioxidants. A skin-cleansing raspberry-pineapple-ginger smoothie is a great healing drink that will reduce inflammation, provide a healthy dose of antioxidants and help your skin, and body, to regain a healthy balance.

Acne breakouts do not come from what you put on your skin, so they cannot be treated by topical products. In short-most acne may be traced to fluctuations in hormone levels, especially androgens (male hormones, also known as testosterone), and their power to over-stimulate sebaceous glands. As acne results from inflammation caused by sebum-clogged hair follicles (pores) and bacteria, routing out the factors that cause overproduction of sebum is very important. So if you want to break the acne cycle, you need to help the body to balance itself and stop over-stimulating the sebaceous glands.

That said, we also need to remember that the skin is the largest organ of our body. Just the top layer of the skin (epidermis) covers about 3000 square inches! This big organ is also a very vulnerable one, and your habits can either help to fight acne or... actually make your breakouts worse.

Everyone makes an occasional mistake or allows for slip-ups in their skincare routine and until these do not become regular occurrences, we should not worry about them too much.

However when those occasional skincare transgressions become bad habits, they may take a real toll on your skin and increase the frequency or severity of the acne breakouts - and even increase the probability of acne scars.

So take a few minutes every day to take care of your skin, and it will pay you back with a clear complexion, less enlarged pores, less blackheads and whiteheads and even less acne scars.

Here are five of the most damaging bad habits for acne prone skin.