Acne elimination tips

You know the saying beauty starts from with in? This is not just a reference on morals but a very practical observation about the health of your skin. What we put in our bodies effects how we look, and there are a number of essential vitamins that do wonders for the skin. HOWEVER, they do not TREAT acne.

Kendra Richards, professional makeup artist, whose work has been seen in publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and InStyle to advertisers Olay and Paul Mitchell and Target to name a few and counts among her client Cindy Crawford, Hilary Duff, Anna Paquin or Justin Timberlake has this to say about making acne pimples as invisible as possible.

From the change in seasons to the change in schedules, form the hormonal imbalance to the imbalanced diet all those factors may play havoc with your skin and exasperate acne breakouts.

Here are some of my recommended quick fixes to make facial acne look non-existent (while waiting for the more sustained effects following your AcnEase treatment).

Nothing can be more frustrating and exasperating than a chronic acne problem. Acne is one of such a potential chronic issue that if not addressed properly may become a long term emotional and physical challenge, and even lead to acne scars and marks that can change your skin for life.

Not every pimple is acne. Pimples may be allergic hives, bites or even heat rash...just to name a few. So as a mother, how do you know it's time to seriously search for a safe and effective acne treatment for your fast growing teen? 

And Why should we really care about a few pimples? They should go away on their own when our teen gets our of puberty…. TESTIMONIALS

Wrong - first the average age of the acne sufferer in the US today is 26 years old. At this time we are NOT taking about  teen acne but adult hormonal acne. The average length of adult hormonal acne is … 11 years… ACNE GUIDE

White heads and black heads are collectively known as comedones. Blackheads and white heads are both filled with sebum and dead skin cells, creating the ideal environment for bacteria to grow. The difference between blackheads and whiteheads is the oxidation of melanin (the pigment in skin) which mixes with the trapped sebum in the pores and turns black.  

There's no denying that what we eat influences our skin. So if you're using all the right products but your skin doesn't ever seem to clear up, it's probably a good idea to take a look at what you're eating. But how do we know what to eat for the results that we want? Is it really as easy as eating our way to clear skin? Well, yes and no. I know what you’re thinking—what is this article even going to be about? The fact is, there isn't clear research out there that without-a-doubt says "this food contributes to acne!". However, some connections are being looked into to establish a relationship (or the absence of one.)

Traveling can be an absolute whirlwind adventure of new places, new people, new experiences and, whether we like it or not, new acne breakouts on our skin. Hopefully, the last one won’t happen to you. Take it from me, an avid digital nomad who is always on the go – these 8 tips are my secret go-to’s for keeping my skin healthy while I’m exploring all kinds of climates, smoggy cities or unknown places around the globe. They’re simple fixes that don’t require a whole suitcase full of cosmetics or even a 5 step skin-care routine. Follow these suggestions and your skin will hopefully stay glowing throughout all your travels to come.

As seasons change, so does our skin—and it's not always for the better. Along with the usual dryness caused by winter, some people find that they break out more during the wintertime. So, how should you take care of your skin during the wintertime? There are a few things that you can do to ensure that your skin is hydrated and breakout-free all winter long, and glowing by the time spring rolls around.

Acne and pimples. Something that is feared and loathed. Many treatments help lessen the impact of acne over time, and help the skin renew itself for acne-free skin. The acne and pimples of yesterday, may leave reminders of the pimply past today. The war on acne may be over, but the scar may be left after battle. So what does one do to combat a future without possible acne scarring?

What’s the right way to cover zits with makeup? Covering up any pimples with the most full coverage foundation and concealer is the knee-jerk reaction for most of us, right? I mean, covering them up just makes them look like they’re not there anymore…

Or, at least that’s what the effect is supposed to be. In reality, it can often look very obvious when someone is trying—and failing—to cover up acne. Luckily, there is a right way to cover up acne with makeup!

However, makeup and acne are a combination that needs to be taken seriously—trying to cover up acne with makeup could be making it worse in some cases. Called acne cosmetica by skin care professionals, it usually manifests as smaller pimples in specific areas of the face. For example, pimples around the lip area could be signs of the lipstick being the culprit.

As the sun has set on Summer, your skin is now trying to deal with the season changes of Fall. Different environment, different foods, change of lifestyle. Nothing much may bloom in Fall, but pimples and acne may be the exception. Fall does present its own challenges in fighting acne, or breakouts. In Summer, humidity would keep the skin hydrated as the air would be moist. But as Fall has hit the ground running, the outside air is colder and dryer. We spend more time indoors, where the heating is also dry. Skin may become irritated. Breakouts and acne may occur. But it does not need to be this way.

If you have ever been embarrassed to post your photos on social media because of your acne, or you have edited or cropped a photo to try and hide your acne, you are not alone. 50% of teens who use social media and have had acne say they have done the same. Acne is common among both men and women of all ages, but even more so among teenagers. This is because teenagers experience hormonal changes at puberty, which upset the delicate balance of hormones in the body and cause acne.

For those who have experienced any form of acne and pimples, it isn’t fun. Thinking a volcano is on your face, with everyone looking to see, one would get a bit self-conscious. With important life events, such as dating, school photos, or becoming an adult at 21, some younger men may think they have by-passed the usual teenage curse, even with its raging hormones, but then they see themselves struck with something that can be a confidence knocking experience. It’s the adult acne that is quite common for males. Lifestyle choices may heighten the acne and pimple breakouts, but hormones can contribute. But why?

Did you know that the type of skin you have can influence the type of acne that you have, and how to treat it? Topical treatments have never been one-size-fits all, and it's important to understand your skin type to treat it properly.

While AcnEase is designed to work for all skin types, there are a couple of extra steps that you can take to ensure that your skin is happy and healthy from the inside out that totally depend on your skin type. Your skin type is usually a result of your genetics, but in extreme cases, it can be induced by using the incorrect products for your skin!

The truth about acne is that it can develop anywhere on the body where there are sebaceous glands. While the most common (and visible!) area affected by acne is the face, some of us know by personal experience where else acne can erupt—like the shoulders, back, chest, and even on your backside. Yes, for real—that’s not a joke! Back acne is so common it even has its own terminology, bacne.

That aside, we all know the feeling of wanting to hide parts of our body because of body acne—but that’s sometimes better said than done, especially in the hotter months. So what can you do when you don’t want to be embarrassed by how your back, chest, or shoulders look?

In the summertime, our skin often changes along with the rising temperatures - hotter weather usually means that our sweat and oil glands go into overdrive, creating the perfect conditions for breakouts. That doesn’t mean that you have to suffer all through the summertime with some extra pimples - there are steps that you can take to keep your skin as clear as possible all summer long.

Acne is a skin condition that often affects those who are just beginning their adolescence. But Acne can also appear throughout adulthood. But it doesn’t have to be this way for either phase of life. Here are some helpful guidelines for those with Acne-prone skin which could help prevent acne or benefit your skin to prevent a recurrence of skin condition.

We all know the universal struggle of having clear, flawless skin - but how do we know the path to clear skin if we don’t know what’s causing our acne?

The causes of acne and breakouts can be sorted into two main causes - internal and external.

Imagine waking up from your morning slumber and knowing that you have that school prom, that date, or a special event later that evening. You head to the mirror and see the zit on your chin. You see another on your cheek. You freak out, and you try to mask it with something, like make-up or a cream. You hope it vanishes by the

time of the special event. You get stressed over it. It seems to get worse. This is familiar in many households, even on a daily basis.

Nearly every teen gets acne at some point. Obviously the degree of acne breakouts will vary from sporadic pimples to a true “invasion” of acne cysts.  So -it is not a surprise that nearly every teen spends loads of time and money trying to get that acne to go away.

Have you ever wondered what type of acne you have and how they are formed? Before we go further, let us first discuss what acne is and what causes acne. There are two classes of acne; acute and chronic acne. Although they both present the same surface symptoms and are formed the same way, the underlining cause is different for these two classes of acne. 

Many of you have probably heard claims from commercials, friends and family about miracle acne treatments that work overnight. Then there’s the grandma advise to avoid makeup altogether if you are prone to acne and use your inner beauty to dazzle the world….

 Before you start making lifestyle changes that will not work or affect the way you feel about yourself and make hefty purchases for miracle cures that don’t work and contain toxic ingredients that actually damage your skin, here are a few facts you should be aware of.

Foundation, considered one of the most important steps in most women’s makeup routine can cause or exacerbate pre-existing skin conditions such as acne. Even people who are not prone to acne usually use some form of foundation. This is because it creates a smooth, flawless (or less flawed) appearance. It creates a smooth, solid unified canvass on which we create our masterpieces or for some just the lighter finishes to highlight their features. 

Contouring is a technique that has long been hailed as the makeup technique to use if you want a more defined chiseled look. So why opt for reverse contouring and what is the difference between the two? More and more people are beginning to realize they can achieve a chiseled look while maintaining the natural feel with reverse contouring. With both reverse and regular contouring techniques, at least two shades of foundation are required.

When you stop taking the contraceptive pill, you will create or increase a hormonal change and often at least temporary hormonal imbalance. This is due to taking away the oral contraceptive  (a foreign agent so to speak) from your body and leaving your body with a need to adjust to this change... Oral contraceptive is a hormonal medicine and affects your hormonal balance not only when you take it but also for a while after you stop.

Beauty sleep is real! No matter how busy you are, you need to catch those ZZZs irrespective of your schedule to keep your skin youthful and glowing!

But as it seems, your pillowcase could be responsible for acne, particularly when you are a sideways sleeper. This is because your face touches the pillowcase for the entire duration while you are sleeping.

Apparently, something which is in contact with your face would contribute a lot in deciding its condition, and pillow is no exception. This is perhaps why your pillow might be the real culprit behind acne.

It’s common knowledge for any Summer enthusiast that during this particular season, the risks of a breakout are especially high. While attending sunny picnics, summer barbeques, and other seasonal activities, we expose ourselves to considerable amounts of UV light (sun). We tend to dehydrate ourselves, overexert ourselves, eat to many deserts  and drink to alcohol ; all causes of acne. That’s why, during the summer, many of us take extra care into controlling breakouts.

Once summer ends, however, our guard drops. We think that just because the season has ended, so have the chances of acne appearing. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The risk of having a breakout is still present after summer has passed.

There could be nothing worse than having an acne-prone skin! Like you never know what could trigger the breakouts, or could make the condition even more badly.

However, the good news is that you can help your skin condition by indulging in healthy drink recipes. We have often reiterated the fact that fruits and veggies are your best friends if you want to get rid of acne.

You might not like to eat them plain, but here are a few mouth-watering recipes which would tempt you to try them once:

This is not the first time that a food is being blamed for breakouts and acne. We know how disheartening it is, especially when you are a foodie and a diehard fan of meat and barbeque.

Although any linkage between acne and diet has been denied by researchers time and again, however, it would not be wrong to conclude that barbeque and meat might not trigger acne, but can definitely make the situation worse if you are acne-prone.

Let’s face the fact that the ocean is a huge reflector of sunlight, and you are at an increased risk of sun damage, acne and sunburns at the beach than anywhere else! And, if you are an acne-sufferer, you know this better than us.

But, do not let this stop you from having all the fun. However, to make sure that your acne does not get any worse, here are a few go-to tips you can rely on and play safe while on the beach:

If you think that just moving to the higher SPFs is the only change you need to make up in your skin care routine this summer, you might be hugely mistaken!

Summers need a completely changed skin care routine, all because of the scorching heat and high humidity levels.

Fret not! We have got your back. In this article, we will have a closer look at the best skincare routine in hot weather summer.

Life is so uncertain when you have an acne prone skin. Like, did you ever board a plane with a clear skin, and landed with a brand-new zit?

Well, yes, you are not alone! Travel acne is common and can happen to everyone, even to the diligent skincare enthusiasts.

But the good news is that you can protect this from happening and flaunt a flawless skin when you really need those top notch selfies.

But before we delve deeper and have a look at various ways to avoid travel breakouts, let’s first understand the science behind their occurrence.

A popular way of thinking when you have acne is to scrub your skin as much as possible with products that "sting" in order to get rid of acne -Unfortunately, this is not the case. That "stinging" feeling doesn't mean that you're doing something good for your skin. Practices like this actually do more harm than good.

Adult acne breakouts can be quite annoying during the summer. While you enjoy outdoors, barbecues and picnics you might not even notice but your favourite foods could be the reason to exasperate those pimples as some foods can do more harm than good to your body.

Acne is caused by secretion of too much oil (sebum) in the body. It can also be exasperated (amplified) by genetics, irregular menstrual cycle, stress, hot and humid weather and even by oil-based makeup. Acne can also lead to scarson the face if not taken care of properly. To avoid those unwanted pimples and potential marks and scars  use the summer foods wisely to help not to harm.

For many acne sufferers summer is a time of  additional pain- more breakouts, more acne marks,  more painful inflammations. comes to breakouts. The hot weather send our skin’s oil production into overdrive. Combine that with excessive sweating band additional outdoor time our usual skincare routines is not sufficient to keep skin clean of clogging and bacteria.

Do you wear a sunscreen before stepping out in the sun and even use hats and umbrella as much as possible, but still not able to control increased acne breakout after sun exposure?

Well, we feel you, and you are not alone! Sun exposure can exasperate acne in number of ways. If you have acne prone skin and use wrong sunscreens containing ingredients that additionally clog your pores; if you have sun sensitivity, also known as photosensitivity and  your  sebaceous glands skin start secreting excess oils as a protection mechanism against too much UV rays, which leads to the development of acne.

When people think of acne, they think of teenagers with inflamed pustules (red breakouts)  on their faces.

Nobody thinks of acne when it comes to adults. It is quite embarrassing as an adult to have acne all over your face especially if you’re a professional and have to meet people every day.

Most people think that men care less about their look but it’s wrong; as clear skin is very important for everyone as it truly reflects a person’s overall health.

Your skin is the largest organ of the body and if it has severe acne of the face or back then it is signaling an underlying problem that must be treated immediately or else it may worsen!

There is a raging debate between parents, teens and often professionals around whether or not to pop your pimples. People try to catch them early, others let them develop so they are easy to get at, but you have heard it here first, popping pimples really is as bad for your skin as the experts say it is.

As our other acne based blogs have suggested acne is an inflammation of the skin and a pimple can derive from a blocked pore. With our busy daily lives these pores can become blocked ever so easily with excess sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria and often pus, I know gross right?! But seemingly overnight you wake up in the morning and see this big spot or pimple staring back at you in the mirror. Something takes a hold of us from this point onwards, almost as if the pimple is asking to be popped or squeezed and we feel compelled to listen to it.

There are a number of habits and health conditions that can worsen the severity of acne breakouts.  In some cases, the behaviours we think are getting rid of acne are actually making the problem worse!  This article will highlight a few of these bad habits and lifestyle factors to help you avoid them.

Salads are colorful, delicious, incredibly nutritious and of course satisfies our hunger. But, what if we told you that a simple salad could perhaps help you in your battle against acne? With a combination of vegetables and fruits, pure goodness and satisfying your skin’s hunger can be accomplished. Let’s take a closer look at what’s hiding in your salad plate!

While fighting acne breakouts on your face, it’s plain unfair when it’s also on your neck, chest, back and buttocks. But did you know that it’s harder to get rid of body acne than facial acne? Tired of buying numerous over the counter treatments that says it helps you treat body acne, but still there are no results? Read further as you learn how to treat an outbreak on your body from the comfort of your home in no time!

HelloSpring, and goodbye Spring acne! Spring is a season where we toss out the old to make room for the new. Your skin care regimen needs a cleansing, too! Here’s how to transition from winter to spring with fresh, fabulous skin by updating your skin-care regime with these 7 tips to start the spring season with glowing and rejuvenated skin.

When you have dry skin, it is obvious to apply lotions or creams to add moisture. However, people who have acne prone skin specifically oily, assume that this application is not needed. Did you know that this is a common mistake? Moisturization is needed especially for those who use medicated creams. Excess oil and clogged pores are reasons for those acne breakouts. Not all lotions will clog your pores. Here's a helpful guide to choosing the right skin moisturizer for your acne prone skin.

It is spring, which means less coverage and your back acne might become more visible. No one wants to expose their embarrassing back acne during sundress season. But in the middle of the heat, what can you do? It is important to know why and how acne is formed. When pores get clogged with extra sebum and dead skin cells build up, a pimple is formed. Don’t worry! Follow our tips to fight off bacne and regain your confidence in the warm sun.

Are you tired of paying steep prices for an exfoliating treatment? Have you been lost in a pharmacy aisle finding what to purchase from a diverse number of products? We can help you to improve your skin at home and give you a look like you just came out of a spa! Are you interested in knowing more, keep reading. By using natural DIY facial masks at home, you can limit the everyday bacteria, pollutants and other infections that may settle on your delicate skin. You cannot simply rely on DIYs to help fight those gunks, AcnEase is your solution of getting rid of those existing and future break outs! AcnEase®, an all botanical and clinically tested acne treatment that is safe for everyone regardless of race, background, gender, age or whatever stage in your hormonal cycle. Let us dig in!

Supermarkets and stores are currently shelving delicious chocolates, breathtaking flowers, colourful diverse candy and acne? There has been a long believed acne myth which states that sugar is the cause of acne. Is this true? Should you save your skin by passing all of this goodness due this special holiday? Acne is caused by the over production of oil, irregular shedding of dead skin cells and bacteria build up within the skin. However, valentine’s candy such as chocolate is a variable that can help to trigger those pesky break outs - it is not the cause. Follow this guide of seven tips to love your skin more this Valentine’s Day with a great in combination with our specifically formulated body acne treatment with any other AcnEase treatment.

“You’re pregnant!” he exclaimed. It’s wonderful news to soon be a mother. But some moms tend to encounter skin problems. Acne is experienced by many women during their pregnancy’s first and second trimesters. Why does this happen you may ask? Blame it on the increase in hormones called androgens. The increase in androgens can cause the overproduction of sebum on the skin. This oil will clog pores leading to bacteria, inflammation and those pesky breakouts. Not only do you have to deal with the overproduction, but finding safe prescriptions and over-the-counter treatments to avoid birth defects. Do not stress! Instead, getting to the root cause of your acne and preventing it from happening will save you a lot of time and money in the end. Not to mention, since we know that the origin of acne is internal, it makes sense to treat it internally, right? AcnEase will ease your mind with tackling current and potential breakouts! Here is information about pregnancy acne that can help keep you and your unborn baby safe.

The Cause of Acne Scarring. Acne scars are most often the product of an inflamed lesion, such as a papule, pustule, or cyst. Inflamed blemishes occur when the follicle, or pore, becomes engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. The pore swells, causing a break in the follicle wall.

Your solution to feeling better, gaining energy or perhaps improving your appearance is exercise. However, you can’t seem to work out those pesky post-workout breakouts and wondering what’s the connection between exercise and acne. Exercising helps increase in the circulation of blood and nutrients to the skin, encouraging skin repair and creating a natural healthy glow. It also reduces stress levels, which in turn decreases fine lines and wrinkles. This all sounds good, but for people with acne  exercising may also bring more breakouts. How disappointing to then working so hard, only to breakout afterward. But you don’t have to stop exercising, here’s what you should do to tackle this obstacle.

Many acne sufferers are distraught not only by the fact that they get acne and by a difficult process of getting rid of unsightly pimples, blackheads, whiteheads or cysts, but also because even after they clear their skin - acne often return.

We are a month away from the best time of year, Christmas! But what does this mean for people with acne prone skin? Will you survive all the gluttonous feasts, cookies and milk, Christmas parties, or at least your dream of clear glowing skin? Stop researching and continue reading as we have chosen 5 tips to help you adjust your acne regimen for clear glowing skin during the holidays.

Halloween is a popular time of year for scary movies, humorous costume parties, and not to forget, a wide variety of sweets and candies tempting us from every corner! This event can be a treat for some but a trick for others. Those who want to find a magical potion for this Halloween’s trick for their skin, should continue to read this article. But be aware- we will most likely scare you with our conclusions….and scary facts about sugar and acne. But… wait there is a light at the end of this scary article- as we will tell you how you can become acne free.

Regardless of your race, background, gender, or religion - all humans are equal. This is what makes us unique, and because of this, our body parts, hair, and skin differ alike. Acne is a struggle that most of us have experienced at one point in our lives but for some, it's still a battling problem. Does it discriminate? To some extent, yes. Read on as you will get a closer understanding that there is a very slight difference between all color and skin types!

Searching for the best concealer for your acne-prone skin can be a headache. Being in possession with several concealers and each one of them either did a bad job or even worse, caused you to break out, even more, can be devastating. As of now, long hours at the makeup aisle has come to an end because we did the research for you. Continue to read as you will be introduced to the correct and effective way to choose and use a concealer.

Lounging at the beach with a pina colada in one hand has finally come to an end. Vacationers are beginning to pack up and head to pulling out office chairs or opening textbooks. This big transition may cause persons great anxiety leading to terrible breakouts especially on acne prone skin.

Beauty  (and clear and beautiful complexion is certainly considered an important component of the beauty is of importance to many women, and a lot of effort, time and of course money is invested into achieving flawless looking skin. What  many may not know- is that as you can use make-up to cover skin imperfection the very same products that are used to mask those  flows ( like pimples or acne scars and marks) if not chosen carefully  can also go against a desired effect and actually exasperate the very condition that they should camouflage.

Cystic acne is considered one of the most severe forms of acne vulgaris. Cystic acne can appear similar to a nodule in size, but is pus-filled, and routinely have a diameter of 5mm or more across. Cysts originate deeper in the skin than typical pimples. These inflammatory lesions can be painful and commonly produce scarring Treatment of existing cystic acne followed by prevention of future acne is therefore necessary to avoid scars formations and to help healing of scars that have already developed.

Stress comes in different “packages” for different people and what is stressful to you will not necessarily bother someone else. However, our bodies respond to stress in the same way. Adrenaline is the number one stress hormone; it speeds up the heart beat, breathing and metabolic rate to give us a necessary rush of extra energy. to deal with circumstances that cuse stress.  Adrenaline is produced and stored in our two adrenal glands that are situated on top of the kidneys and with long-term stress these glands will deplete. 

Although the clinical manifestation of acne is quite simple, pimples appear on ones face, acne is actually a rather complex disease.  What is causing the formation of pimples is what is actually more complicated.  If we can understand what is causing acne in the first place we can develop a way to prevent acne pimples from forming and alleviate the need to treat existing acne.

Do you think summer is good for your skin? Unfortunately for those with acne the answer is: rather not! To keep your acne from worsening over the summer here are some important tips to remember.

The majority of people at some point in their lives experience acne.  Acne is not confined to puberty or teenagers, but impacts adults as well. In fact, during the past decade the average age of the acne sufferer increased by 5 years from 21 years old to 26 years old.

You probably know that aloe is the go-to for many when it comes to repairing cut, scraped, or burned skin, but did you know that it can also be used to help improve acne?

If you’ve had acne for even a few months you probably already have some experience with the trial and error method of finding the right treatment for your skin. No matter where you’re at on your skincare journey, there are a few things that can help you make some smart choices, and steer you clear of the wrong ones.

There are countless creams, lotions, serums and spot treatments out there to help anyone with acne-prone skin improve their condition, but there’s one natural ingredient that can be effective without worrying about what you’re putting on your body, and it may already be your kitchen.

Whether you’re just at the start of your acne journey, or have been navigating these waters for a while now, the information you see online and elsewhere may leave you feeling confused. In order to treat your condition, it’s important to understand just how acne affects your skin and body, and what’s really going on when you read those numbers.

Most people attribute their breakouts to an overly oily complexion, and they aren’t entirely wrong to do so, but did you know that it takes more than just oil to form a pimple on your complexion?

Acne is a disease that affects the skin, and is the most common skin condition in the United States, and does not discriminate based on age, sex, race, or any single identifier. It is normally caused by a hormonal imbalance that triggers an excessive amount of sebum, or skin oil, to be produced by the sebaceous glands. Too much of this oil can become clogged within pores, where it travels from the sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin. But the formation of acne doesn’t stop here! 

Anyone with acne knows that clear, healthy skin starts with clean pores. While there are plenty of products out there to cleanse from the surface, there are a handful of exercises that can work to stimulate the detox process from within in the body, making for a gentle way to take care of yourself and your skin!

It probably goes without saying, but when the body is healthy, everything benefits, from our immune systems to our mental condition to our complexions. 

Regardless of the season, some people with acne-prone skin look to shed a few layers for the good of their complexion with a process called dermablading.

To put it simple, dermablading is a procedure that rids the surface of the skin of dry, dead cells. Using a surgical scalpel, a licensed aesthetician or dermatologist removes these dead cells by essentially scraping them away, applying short, light strokes to the surface of the skin after washing the face and applying an alcohol solution. The result? A pile of dead skin, a renewed and youthful glow, and a complexion free of pore-clogging debris.

When most people experience a breakout, the only thing on their mind is getting rid of it as soon as possible, whatever it takes. While we all want to experience our clearest and healthiest skin possible, the best way to get those results is to find a treatment that’s right for your skin, and that starts with identifying just what type of acne symptoms you have.

When most people think of treating acne, facial washes and spot treatments are often the first, and sometimes only, things to come to mind. Because acne isn’t just the result of a dirty complexion, however, it’s important to look to the source, stay informed, and keep your head in the game in order to witness real results.

People are always searching for the next big thing in skincare, from anti-aging technology to treatments that leave you looking like you’ve just returned from a relaxing vacation. For those with acne-prone skin, most are up for trying anything in the hopes of finding some sweet relief from stubborn breakouts. Lately, acne sufferers are looking to blue light treatments to clear their complexions, but does it really work?

The formation of acne is usually attributed to either excessively oily or way-too-dry skin, but there’s another culprit that may be contributing to your symptoms - your hair or more precisely – your hair care routine.

Acne is a result of a hormonal imbalance, which can affect the function of the sebaceous glands, whose job it is to create sebum, (skin oil) which travels along the pores to hydrate and protect the skin on the surface. When too much sebum is produced, it clogs the pores.  A mixure of the skin oil, dirt and dead skin cells invites bacteria to form, triggering an inflammatory response from the body. This response usually appears as red, swollen bumps known as pimples, a symptom of acne.

When many people begin a new acne treatment, the goal of obtaining clear skin is the main thing on their minds, but in addition to keeping all eyes on the prize, it’s important to understand just how to make the most out of your new skincare regimen.

For anyone with acne-prone skin, who doesn’t want to get rid of the issue overnight?  Many people have patience, but many don’t.  And unfortunately, our judgment can get cloudy and we only look for a solution without looking at the underlying cause.  So instead of focusing your search today on the next best thing that is guaranteed to help you whether it be in a day or 6 months, it’s important to understand two things:  how and why acne forms, and how important it is to develop ongoing healthy lifestyle habits.

With acne-prone skin, you wanted clear skin like yesterday.  And you certainly don’t want to worry about whether or not your skin is going to look good or not for an upcoming special day. When many people look to rid their skin of acne, a topical wash, cream or spot treatment is usually the first thing they reach for. 

If you’ve noticed acne symptoms on your skin for any amount of time you probably have a routine for dealing with the damage, but are you aware of some common factors that may be contributing to your condition?

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, and many people have experienced symptoms that appear on the skin as breakouts. Some types of acne are harder to treat than others, and cystic acne is among the most stubborn, but with the right approach, even cysts can be eliminated for good.

With the New Year right around the corner, we always want to look our best for those big (or not so big) plans we’ve made. For anyone with acne, this can be a stressful time, but with the right tools you can step into the New Year with your best face forward.

The office, the family, the dinner with friends - the holiday season can certainly be a time for celebrating, and for anyone with acne-prone skin, all that partying can catch up to your complexion in no time.

With the holiday season here, both our time and our dietary care can slip away from us, which can lead to acne for some people. Food isn’t responsible for acne, however there are some foods that are more disruptive than others, which is why it’s important to recognize how our diet can affect us and our skin.

Family, travel, feast with friends - the holidays are a time of celebration for many, and great way to relax and recharge for the new year ahead. For anyone with acne, however, the stress and hustle of the holiday season can prove to be tough on skin.

Now more than ever, people seem to be looking for safe, natural and effective ways to treat anything that ails them, from pain to digestive troubles to addressing their skincare needs, but how does a natural acne solution really work?

In order to understand how acne can be treated, it’s important to become familiar with how acne works in the first place. Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, and affects people of all ages. It is usually the result of a hormonal imbalance, which goes on to affect the sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum, or oil, which travels along the hair follicle, or pore, to protect and nourish the skin. Some imbalanced hormones can trigger the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum than necessary, which become clogged within the pore on its way to the surface. When combined with dead skin cells, bacteria forms, which sparks an inflammatory reaction, resulting in symptoms called pimples.

Everyone I know loves getting a facial. But most people think of facials as something to do on a special occasion, like for their birthday, or with the gift card their friend or family member got them.  Building a relationship with an esthetician that has a wealth of knowledge about skin can truly change your condition. Try to think of facials like you would going to the gym. It’s a part of your body maintenance that shouldn't be neglected. Many clients ask me how often they should get facials and my answer is different for everyone.

Self-care simply refers to any acts devoted to supporting your mental, physical, and/or emotional well being. Acne obviously affects the physical part of us, but do you know how this skin condition can affect the other areas of our lives? Acne has been linked to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem among many, especially among teens and those with severe or chronic symptoms. Because acne affects more than just our skin, it’s important that we give our whole selves some extra love and attention from time to time.

Acne is a usually the result of a hormonal imbalance, which goes on to affect the sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum, or oil, which travels along the hair follicle, or pore, to protect and nourish the skin. Some imbalanced hormones can trigger the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum than necessary, which becomes clogged within the pore on its way to the surface. When combined with dead skin cells, bacteria forms, which sparks an inflammatory reaction, resulting in symptoms called pimples.

A: A few years ago, oil-free moisturizers were all the rage. People thought that oily skin would break out if more oil were topically applied. I remember seeing lots of skin that was dehydrated with red inflamed breakouts from this method of hydration. Certain oils can be your friends! It is just important that you use the right oil for your skin, because the wrong one can absolutely lead to more breakouts, while the right one can balance your sebum, making it less hard, sticky and pore clogging.

If you have been dealing with acne for any amount of time, you probably feel like you’ve heard of, and tried, just about every tonic, treatment and remedy under the sun, but there’s one you probably haven’t heard much about, and it’s a dietary supplement worth knowing.

Brewer’s yeast is most known for it’s role in making beer, but did you know it can also work to help keep skin healthy and acne-free?

For years, people believed that a good, healthy dose of sun was the answer to their acne-related problems. Doctors in the 1950’s even prescribed sessions under a sun lamp to treat patients looking to rid their complexions of acne, and the idea has more or less stuck, with some looking to more and more DIY options to help symptoms of acne.

Many dermatologists are pleading with people to resist the urge to go about treating their skin the old fashioned way with a lengthy sunbath by the pool. The claim nowadays is that the sun’s rays can actually end up making acne worse...but why? To get an idea of exactly what the sun is doing to your skin to make acne worse, check out this quick and easy guide below!  

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

Although it may sound counterintuitive, some natural oils may help to fight oily skin and improve breakouts. There is much talk about coconut oil and whether or not it's effective in helping acne prone skin, so here are the facts.

Acne and its predecessor, oily skin, are results of over production of sebum (skin oil) by sebaceous glands.  The increase in sebum production can lead to clogged pores (whiteheads and blackheads), which accumulate dead skin cells as well as bacteria.  This combination leads to a local inflammatory response, which if chronic, can lead to damage to the surrounding tissue. Acne and oily skin have to be treated from the inside out by removing the cause of excessive sebum production, the common denominator for both acne and oily skin.

In short, yes - 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, ruling out the factors that cause over production of sebum is very important.  

Treatment will help your body to negotiate or even eliminate the hormonal imbalance.

Oils produced by your skin's sebaceous glands are necessary to keep your skin healthy and supple. We would all be scaly and more like alligators without these oils! But as often in life, too much of a good thing is not good either - like the over-production of sebum (skin oil), which may lead to acne. Additionally, being too shiny is also a beauty problem that affects the way we look and our confidence. And since we often use make-up to camoflage blemishes, having very oily skin can interfere with make-up application and coverage.

Dermatologists agree that the most effective way to manage oily skin is to cleanse your face both morning and night, and to use oil absorbing masks. You need to use a gentle cleanser since harsh soaps can trigger the skin's protective reaction, and can increase oil production further. For the same reason, stay away from rubbing and buffing your skin; use a pat and dry system to limit the possibility of stimulating more oil secretion.

Before you begin to enjoy a daily skin care routine designed to provide you with healthy skin, please note the following general guidelines. 

General Guidelines

• More is not always better.  Don't apply more than ONE mask daily.
• Always apply a mask to freshly cleansed skin
• Cleaning your face with products that suit YOU is a foundation of healthy skin 
• NEVER go to sleep with your makeup on
• After you exercise, clean your skin
• Exfoliation (peeling) should not be done more than once a week
• Use your sunscreen especially after using any exfoliating/peeling products
• Alternate the fruit and veggie DIY moisturizing masks; we provide you with many of them on our blog.
• The best way to use moisturizing and rejuvenating masks is every other day or every two days; especially before big events - not every day.
• Observe your skin; if you see that some ingredients don't agree with you (ex. make your skin red, sensitized, itchy), stop using the masks and just use the chamomile astringent only.  Even nature isn't always right!

It's hard enough to fight acne.  But what is a person to do if these breakouts leave long lasting marks and scars on the skin? Acne scars result from constant damage to the skin due to acne pustules and papules, pimples/zits, cysts etc. Each pimple is associated with an inflammatory reaction, which causes local tissue damage when combating bacteria trapped in the clogged pores of the skin. On top of this, if you squeeze or pop pimples, this damage may be even more substantial.

When you get a cut on your skin, a scab starts to form, which actually helps it to heal. Acne pimples that become inflamed are like little cuts that need to heal; with chronic acne, repeat pimples and inflammation don't give enough time for the skin to heal properly. Therefore, the FIRST thing that must been done to break the cycle of creating new scars and marks (acne marks are also acne scars but less deep) is to PREVENT acne. This will allow collagen production and new tissue to rebuild your skin (at least partially) and as a result, make scars less visible, and marks vanish. So, PREVENTING NEW ACNE FROM FORMING IS THE FIRST CRUCIAL STEP TO GETTING RID OF ACNE SCARS AND MARKS.

Natural medicine has been used by people of all cultures for centuries. In some regions (cultures) such as China, India or Japan where natural medicine actually thrived for thousands of years, it has become a well-documented experiential body of knowledge. As different types of grapes have been grown and used on various continents to make different types and different quality of wine, a rich variety of different species of plants and herbs have been used around the world to treat similar ailments.

Modern natural medicine uses natural herbs and plants together with other natural ingredients based on principles and discipline of modern science, using testing, research, analysis, innovation and sophisticated equipment. But a "smart" modern natural medicine does not forget or deny the centuries of experiential knowledge of its grandfather - instead it learns from it, and then confirms it or rejects it based on the scientific data.

Ever think about why the most popular acne treatments became so widely used?

Many doctors prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics like Septra, Minocycline, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin and Clindamycin to treat acne. The rationale being that the antibiotic will decrease the growth of bacteria in pores clogged with sebum. This process is designed to control and even decrease the symptoms of acne. And since effects are visible, it easily becomes a product of choice.  The problem is that those results will not last (even the period of improvement is different for each person); and to keep the results going will require long term use of antibiotics that carry different types of short term and long term health concerns and adverse effects.  Additionally, antibiotics really do not treat acne; they do not stop factors influencing the over-production of sebum.  Instead, they only moderate inflammation that would not occur in the first place, without overstimulation of the sebaceous glands.  So again, treating acne (meaning "getting rid of" for longer term) is a whole different matter.

Cucumber has 96% water content that is more nutritious than regular water, which helps in keeping the body hydrated and body temperature regulated. It also helps in flushing out the toxins from the body.

Cucumber also contains vitamins A, B and C and minerals like magnesium, potassium, and silica - all are very beneficial for your skin. Facial masks containing cucumber juice can be used for skin tightening. Additionally, the ascorbic acid and caffeic acid present in cucumbers can bring down the water retention rate, which in turn diminishes the puffiness and swelling under the eyes and works as a mild exfoliating agent.

Our cucumber mask is a great natural helper for acne prone skin as it works both as an astringent and moisturizer, especially for oily skin. The honey and oats also included in the mask will nourish and revitalize your skin, and will help with dark spots. But since cucumber works as an exfoliator, DO NOT USE THIS MASK BEFORE SUN EXPOSURE!   It is best to use it in the evening before going to bed.

It's Friday night. Summer is in a full bloom, and your friend just called about this great beach party tomorrow. Instead of being excited, you get that sinking feeling...and the only think you can think about is how you're going to handle taking your shirt off with all of those pimples on your body.  

Body acne is similar to facial acne in both symptoms and general treatment rules, but it may be more difficult to control and get rid of, and therefore will require some special attention. Body acne is most commonly found on the back (and is also sometimes called "bacne"), chest and neck but blemishes can appear anywhere with exception of the feet and palms. Back and body acne affects both men and women, teens and adults, but body acne is much more common, and often more severe, in males. 

What do you do when your pre-teen child is unhappy and defiant, feeling depressed or alienated because she or he has PIMPLES? And they are only 9 or 10 years old!  The situation obviously cannot be ignored, so how do you treat children with PRE-TEEN acne safely?

Most people associate acne with the teenage years and accept acne as a normal part of growing up. More recently, pre-teen or pre-adolescent acne is gaining more attention from pediatricians, dermatologists and of course pre-teens along with their parents. In fact, in May 2013 the American Acne and Rosacea Society (AARS) published guidelines for the "Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Acne" which was subsequently endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In part, this increased attention to pre-teen acne (ages 8-12) results from observations that this younger age group is now experiencing acne.

A study published by Lucky et al revealed acne lesions in 78% of 365 girls ages 9 to 10.

After a holiday weekend of indulging in carbs, sugars, alcohol and sun exposure, are you worried that zits and flareups will come fast and furiously?

Try this healing drink.  It will reduce inflammation, provide a healthy dose of antioxidants and help your skin, and body, to regain a healthy balance. Its anti-inflammatory properties are thanks to the enzyme bromelain in fresh pineapple (only fresh or frozen will do - canned pineapple has no enzymes left) and the gingerols in ginger. Extensive research shows that the compounds in ginger may be more potent than many anti-inflammatory drugs. Raspberries are known to be a great source of Vitamin C, and also have a number of antioxidants as well as fiber that absorbs toxins. 

Is this one of the most unbelievable things you've ever heard? Well my friends. Believe it.

The answer may surprise you, but YES - a healthy sex life has many health benefits including improving your skin and actually helping in some instances to fight acne.

Acne is a manifestation of an internal imbalance that most often is routed in a hormonal imbalance, specifically in the imbalance of sex hormones (androgens/testosterone, estrogen and progesterone).

Summer is a time for the beach, parties, weddings, graduations and barbecues...and with the summer, our acne gets aggravated by sweat, sunscreens, sunless tanning, diet and a number of other factors. So here's how to use the bounty offered by the summer to do something good for your skin.   Summer foods can actually protect your skin from the inside out.

Most of us are led to believe that if we lather on sunscreen in the morning and then stay out on the beach all day long, our skin is protected. Unfortunately, this is incorrect. Learning about proper sun protection and sunscreens will not only keep you and your skin safe, but it will also keep you from getting flare-ups.

Acne is a part of many teen lives - unfortunately. And they will do anything to get rid of it - who wouldn't!? HOWEVER, there are some important safety alerts both smart teens and their mothers need to know before choosing an acne treatment.  Reason being that MANY of the most commonly prescribed regimens do have side effects you need to know about. Weigh the benefits and potential dangers - after all, an educated consumer is a safe consumer.  

 

Here are some of the potential treatments you need to be alerted to.

The Truth About Teen Acne

 

Most teenagers will experience acne at some point during their adolescent years. A number of factors contribute to teenagers having the highest incidence of acne. Many parents attribute acne to poor diet or lack of attention to proper skin cleansing and moisturizing. However, the real cause of acne is a hormonal imbalance related to adolescence that over stimulates the sebaceous glands.  

 

A hallmark of teenage skin aside from the pimples is "greasy or oily skin". 

The appearance of oily skin goes hand in hand with the increased appearance of acne. The oily skin is due to an over secretion of sebum (skin oil) by the sebaceous glands. This over production of sebum not only manifests itself as oily skin but can also lead to clogged pores that are seen as "white heads" and "black heads." Once the pores of the skin are clogged with sebum, they accumulate dead skin cells and provide a perfect breading ground for the growth of bacteria. This combination of clogged pores and growth of bacteria is responsible for acne.

Special thanks to Dr. Gilligan, Chief Scientific Officer at AcnEase, for collaborating with me today.     

In our quest to spread awareness about safe and effective acne treatments this June for acne awareness month, we're focusing on the ladies today!  So ladies (and moms of teens!), listen up - not only will this information help you, but also your children or the men and women that you know with acne. 

Summer is just about here!  Is Your Skin Ready?

Memorial Day weekend is approaching, and with the summer comes fun.  Graduations, weddings, parties, barbecues, beach days - who wants to worry about what their skin looks like? You just want to have fun, enjoy yourself and look your best!  

We're here to help you do just that with our new program.

Our new AcnEase Premier™ membership is for those who are fed up with trying to get rid of their acne, and want a proven way to effectively eliminate and prevent acne.  

As the summer approaches, so does the temptation to look "sun kissed." While we don't recommend that you put extra product on your skin, we also understand that you will! You need to be aware of how the use of sunless tanning products may present a risk of irritating your skin and amplifying the existing skin problems, so here are our tips to stay safe and reduce the risk of flareup's.

New and Improved AcnEase® Botanical Acne Treatment Has Increased Bio-Availability and is Easier to Consume

 

Between the USA and EU, there are 120 million acne sufferers.  

 

Adult acne is on the rise, and the average age of an acne sufferer has increased over the past 10 years from 20.5 years to to 26.5 years of age. Many individuals are unable to resolve their acne problem for years, and then they become a chronic acne sufferer.

 

We're sure many of you can relate!

The bad sunlight (UVA rays) forces the skin to put up defenses by activating an immune reaction in the form of inflammation that is visible as sunburn. When you increase your body's immune system capabilities, combined with using natural sunscreens and/or protective clothing, you protect your skin from sun damage much more effectively.

So, your sun-protection has to involve both a topical and internal approach...with FOOD!

Sun is actually very important for our health. When your skin is exposed to natural sunlight (UV rays), your body produces an essentail nutrient, Vitamin D. Having the right level of Vitamin D in your body enables better bone health, psychological balance and even has the potential to assist in decreasing the risk of certain diseases.

On the other hand, sun radiation (UV rays) also damages the DNA of your skin and may result in the most serious form of skin cancer (melanoma) as well as cause dry or discolored skin, premature aging, brown spots and interference with acne treatment.

So how do you find a balance, and protect yourself against sun damage, especially when you have acne?

Over 17 million Americans are believed to suffer from Rosacea. It also affects 25 times more men than women, and usually occurs in individuals over 30 with a light complexion.
The symptoms of Rosacea may vary from heat and alcohol sensitivity to facial redness, pimples, teary and itchy eyes and even GI reflux. The medical world is not sure what really causes this chronic inflammatory skin condition, and there is no treatment for it. However, there are some important and efficient ways to control the symptoms, especially during the spring and summer, including our natural balancing botanical therapeutic® product that can help to control all of the symptoms of Rosacea without any adverse side effects.

Acne is not just a skin disease - it is often a "soul" disease as well. The psychological and social impact of acne is a growing and serious concern that can have severe short and long-term emotional side effects - but the good news is that these symptoms can be controlled!

 

Acne affects adolescents at a time when they are developing their personalities. A growing number of adults are suffering from acne (the average age of an acne sufferer increased during the last ten years from 20.5 to 26.5 years old). Adults with acne have a larger probability to get chronic acne, which forces them to deal with this issue for a long time, and address it together with all the other adult challenges he or she faces.

 

Dramatically Improve Your Skin Condition While Celebrating  Earth Day!

The most precious resource on Earth that is essential for our life is NOT gold, platinum, uranium, diamonds or even crude oil. It is WATER.

There is no life without water.  Up to over 60% of our body is composed of water, 70% of our brain is composed of water and 44% of our skin is composed of water.

Every day we must replace 2.4 litres of water (over 2.5 quarts or 81.15 fluid oz.); some through drinking and the rest from the foods we eat. So, on this Earth Day, use this precious resource RESPONSIBLY.

Men, because of the dominant male hormone, testosterone, have thicker skin. So they - especially younger men - are more likely to have excessively oily skin. When this happens, acne incidents are usually more prevailing, more persistent and difficult to get rid of.

 

Based on subscribed stereotypes, many men chose a regimen that may actually be harming their skin instead of helping it.  Here's how to tell if you're one of those people, and how to steer clear of the #1 skincare mistake that men make that may make their breakouts worse.    

Our Friday Favorites are designed to provide you with a round-up of some of the behind the scenes topics we discussed this week with acne sufferers, and also our top finds across the web which will help you live an acne-free lifestyle.  Living a healthier lifestyle helps AcnEase® do its job by rebalancing your sebaceous glands to produce a normal amount of oil...giving you an acne-free complexion long-term!

Moisturizing:   Lighten-up on your moisturizer 

During the winter, our skin gets dryer - and dry skin is not healthy skin. A normal response to help dry skin symptoms is to use products that contain oils.  Doing this may produce a serious problem for acne prone skin - clogged pores and an entire inflammatory cycle of "producing" the pimples or cysts.

Over-dry skin may also be a manifestation of invisible inflammation in deeper layers of the skin. So, instead of one problem you may actually have two if you allow your skin to get too dry due to environmental factors like wind, cold, indoor heating, hot showers etc. or because of prolonged use of certain ingredients in your skincare products such as salicylic acid or alcohol.

PLEASE NOTE: Contrary to popular belief, over-drying oily skin to deal with acne is not an efficient way to treat acne.

There is reason to believe that for most skin types, with the exception of dry and sensitive skin, some level of exfoliation may be beneficial. It can help to remove dead skin cells, helping to unclog pores, remove dry, dark, and flaky skin resulting from photo-aging, and stimulate collagen production to help skin regeneration.  

As with many things that are "in" at the time, we seem to go overboard. Too frequent and strong chemical peels may lead to sensitized, irritated and over-dry skin. And too vigorous and frequent abrasive exfoliation can lead to skin inflammation. The COST of the procedures can take a toll on you too! 

 

So your skin is FINALLY clear and your pimples, cysts, blackheads and whiteheads have diminished.  And you couldn't be happier! 

But wait, can they come back? How do you decrease the probability of seeing those pesky zits again?  And if they show up, how do you "terminate" them quickly?

Since acne is a manifestation of an internal imbalance that leads to overproduction of sebum (skin oil) by the sebaceous glands, the factors that were responsible for this overproduction of sebum may return.  But you are not helpless!

A message from Dr. Agnes:

 

Hey guys.  It's no secret that male acne is difficult to treat.  But while you're working on treating your acne with AcnEase®, there are ways to make it look better, and have people focus on you instead of your zits.

 

Maybe you've thought about applying makeup before or maybe the thought never crossed your mind.  Either way, know this.  These days, makeup isn't just for women.  An enormous amount of men actually apply makeup to their faces daily, and you wouldn't even know!  

 

So muster up the courage, and take your buddy or partner with you to the cosmetics counter if you're feeling like you need a little cover-up - you'll be glad you did (especially when those holiday photos begin to surface!). 

The holidays always arrive with lots of party invites. And who doesn't love a party? But if you're feeling self-conscious about your skin and aren't sure how to go from everyday makeup to festive glam, it can all seem overwhelming. But putting on the glitz is easier than you think, even if your everyday routine consists of mainly lip balm. The following 7 steps will ensure you're party-ready for every invite you receive.

A message from Dr. Agnes:

Treating acne takes time, dedication and perseverance, as there is no miracle cure that will allow you to regain clear skin overnight. While we are waging our war with pimples and cysts however, we still want to look and feel good about ourselves. So let's talk about make-up that does not spoil your results (or your progress with AcnEase®), but will make you feel secure without using products and techniques that may slow the healing process or actually accentuate your blemishes.

For those with acne prone skin - especially with chronic acne (acne lasting 3 or more years, or re-occurrs over the years), what you put on your skin repeatedly and long term is very important.

 

There are two chemical substances that can be found in most topical acne products that need to be used with caution - especially while used longer term to try to control chronic acne: Salicylic Acid and Alcohol.

Spring is almost here, and before you know it, summer will be upon us. Don't wait to take your shirt off to get rid of your body acne. If you start now, by then, you will have made some clear skin to show off! Here are our top tips on how to say "goodbye!" to body acne.

Cause of Body Acne
Women and men that have active physical lifestyles tend to suffer more with body acne primarily due to androgens that are the main stimulator of sebaceous glands. Acne results from the over secretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands and inflammation that follows too much sebum clogging the pores and mixing with acne bacteria that will cause inflammation known as pimples, cysts, lesions, etc. More acne occurs where the skin surface has a greater concentration of sebaceous glands, and where perspiration is more prevailing. The most common sites for acne are, therefore, the face, back and chest.

What is Male Hormonal Acne?

Teenagers aren't the only ones who get acne - it can can effect adult men of all ages.  The average age of the acne sufferer in the US increased during the last decade from 20.5 to 26.5 years old.

Are You a Statistic?

Acne is a manifestation of internal imbalance that leads to overproduction of sebum (skin oil) by sebaceous glands. This extra sebum together with dead cells and dirt creates an ideal condition for bacteria what in turn will cause an inflammation that presents itself as ACNE (pimples, cysts, blackheads, whiteheads etc).

Although there are many factors that can contribute to acne, little do many know that where you live not only contributes to skin problems, but it requires a personalized skincare regimen.

Depending on where you live, there are some important steps that you can take to greatly improve your skin's health.  But in general, no matter where you live, it is imperative to learn how to really clean acne prone skin without chemicals and how to moisturize acne prone skin if you want clear skin for good.

The answer to this question is unequivocally YES.

 

If your skin is plagued by acne, blackheads or whiteheads, ranges from dry to oily, part of your daily skincare routine MUST include an appropriate moisturizer 2 TIMES daily - in the morning and in the evening - in order to help the skin stay hydrated and supple.

One of the most prevailing and potentially disadvantageous myths about cleaning acne prone skin is a belief that you need to use salicylic acid or alcohol based products to do it, and in addition, scrape the skin during vigorous exfoliation.

As the intentions behind this belief are good (killing bacteria that thrive in clogged pores), and some may even experience a temporary decrease in pimples, long term effects are certainly not worth it. A few of the adverse effects you may expect from this type of cleaning is dry, irritated, prematurely aged, sun sensitive skin, and an actual increase in inflammation due to skin abrasion.

Little do many know that sex has many beauty and health benefits, including making your skin very happy! Those engaged in regular sexual activities look and behave younger, sleep better (orgasm produces endorphins and oxytocin - associated with bonding) and burn calories. Having an active sex life also increases your DHEA level; and this hormone is credited with anti-aging effects. 

STAY TUNED BELOW FOR RECIPES THAT ARE SURE TO "WOW" ON VALENTINE'S DAY!

In our society, a simple 3-letter word "fat" grew to become a notorious villain. The fact is, however, that to live a healthy life and to show off a beautiful complexion, we need to recognize the "good" from the "bad" fats.

Valentine's Day is both eagerly awaited and profoundly feared. One of the trepidations many of us feel is how to make sure that we look and feel most confident and attractive on this day. So if you see a zit popping out on your face just before V-day, it can be highly stressful.

 

Dr. Agnes helps you to alleviate those fears with her top 5 at-home quick fix acne care remedies.

 

Have all of these ingredients handy before you start so you don't scramble before you need to get ready for your night out.

 

There are too many factors to list that can derail your good intentions. Not to mention that according to statistics, by February, the percentage of people who stick with their new year's goals drops by 65%!   

 

We're here to help you not be one of those people!

 

Our 5 Fool Proof Ways on How to Stick with Your Resolution to Become Acne-Free for GOOD

During the winter, people typically experience drier skin due to a number of factors, including cold and windy weather and central heating. The exposure to drastic temperature changes tends to dry out the skin.   In some cases, these factors may trigger the production of dry skin cells, which clog pores and lead to breakouts. People who struggle with acne may experience breakouts more frequently. Sufferers of eczema or rosacea may experience more intense symptoms in dry and cold weather.

The holidays are a time where many indulge in sugary things. From the holiday parties to intimate gatherings, there is so much temptation that it can sometimes be hard to avoid. But do know this! Sugar REALLY is bad for your skin and may exacerbate acne as well. Many people wonder why they can't break the cycle of acne - and this is one major cause.

 

Sugar is not just a part of cookies, candies, cakes or sodas, but it also can be found in almost every food in your refrigerator from mayo to Canadian bacon. The ingredient may not say "sugar", and be disguised as corn syrup (or a word that ends with "syrup"), fructose, lactose (or a word that ends in "ose"), fruit juice concentrate, sorbitol or xylitol. When you combine their rather overwhelming presence with foods that easily and rapidly convert into sugar like potatoes, pasta, crackers and potato chips, your skin can continually have issues.  Remember - sugarplums should dance in the Nutcracker, not on your table!

In this journey we've set out on to help you get clear skin for the holidays, it's important to focus on the basics first, and to learn not just what to do, but also what not to do. 

 

1.  Do NOT squeeze, pop, rub (vigorous exfoliation) the pimples - and do not let anyone do it for you! 

 

A very important role of skin is PROTECTION. When you break or injure this barrier, bacteria will hop in and create even more serious inflammation and infection. In addition, this is how acne scars and marks are made!

There are a number of herbs that are good for your skin. But when you suffer from acne, good is not enough! You need SUPER herbs and skilled preparation to get a true natural medicine that actually works.

 

To exemplify how complex the science of herbs is:

 

As wine grapes yield a different quality and taste depending on where and how they are harvested, the similar rule applies, and is even magnified, with herbs. Different parts of the same herbs (leaves, root or stem) processed under different temperatures, and the method of extraction, may provide for totally different properties of a final product.

Cassandra Bankson, the teen whose makeup routine to cover up her acne-plagued skin made her into a YouTube sensation, started the next chapter of her life, landing a spot on the runway during New York Fashion Week. A confident Bankson walked the runway at the Stacey Igel's "Boy Meets Girl" show in New York City Wednesday night, proudly putting a past of being bullied for her acne-ridden skin behind her. "I'm a small town girl who sits in her living room and films videos all day and now...I'm in New YorkFashion Week," Bankson said backstage. "It's still a dream. I am so thankful." The 19-year-old first achieved Internet stardom after posting makeup tutorials on YouTube with her concealing tips, revealing how she covered her acne-ridden skin before heading out to face the world. In the videos, Bankson talks to her 45 million viewers, first in full makeup, ...

Must-do for those with skin issues!

As I mentioned yesterday in Part I of this end-of-summer treatment, your skin has had sun and wind overload for the past 2-3 months, so it really needs some extra TLC now, ...

Must-do for those with skin issues!

As the summer comes to an end, it's time to give your skin some extra TLC. Think about it. With all the fun-in-the-sun that you've had, your skin has had a little too much sun and wind exposure which causes more dryness, dark spots and possibly even more trouble with acne due to excessive sweating and mixing make-up with certain sun protection products. Since we are almost at the end of the summer, let's help your skin contain the possible damage that occurred over the past 2-3 months with a juicy treat!

To follow up on Tuesday's email on how melon and cabbage help nourish and cleanse your skin, I wanted to give you a quick tip on how this revitalizing mask will also help to heal your skin and put you on the path to be acne-free. You choose what you want and what works best for you!

With the summer coming to an end, if you're like me, you take full advantage of the local farm markets and their amazing bounty. Did you know that some of the fruits and vegetables that you find at these markets actually heal, cleanse and nourish your skin from within? Oh yes my friend!

Since acne is an external manifestation of an internal disorder, the combination of the fruits and vegetables listed below act as a natural skin healer by healing the skin from within. And as a bonus, they will only help assist with your AcnEase regimen.

We are always on the look-out for the latest natural and practical solutions to get clear and healthy skin.
As we get smarter about herbs and foods that may improve our skin (andthose that may be bad for it), we need to treat news headlines with agrain of salt. Thyme - a popular herb found in gardens, stores and traditional medicinalproducts and experimentally known for its anti-inflammatory andanti-bacterial properties - made recent headlines as a possible acnetreatment.

When was the last time you took a nice, relaxing bath? Especially one that can prevent breakouts in order to maintain clear skin? Having trouble thinking back that far? Yes, I know! The number one excuse I usually hear is that there just aren't enough hours in the day. But if you take a serious look at your schedule, and designate 10-30 minutes once a week for "me" time, you'll be very happy you did it, believe me. Here's why...