Everything You Need to Know About Water and Acne

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

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

Fact or Fiction: The Effects of the Sun on Your Acne
Unfortunately, there is a large amount of disinformation on the web these days about the sun and the effect it can have on breakouts. As some myths promote practices that are unnecessary but relatively harmless, those related to sun exposure can become downright dangerous. Let's take a look at some of these acne "urban legends" about the sun and discover what the truth actually is.
5 Ways to Keep Your Acne Under Control This Summer
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.
The Truth about Gluten and Acne

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?

Understanding the Link Between Dairy Products and Acne
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 Treats and Sweets That Make Your Skin Happy

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.

How to Win the Battle with Cystic Acne and Prevent Acne Scars
Acne pimples start to develop in pores that become clogged with excess sebum (skin oil) made by the sebaceous glands. How serious your acne problem is depends both on the length/persistence of acne breakouts over the years and how serious the inflammation is that manifests into different types of breakouts (from whiteheads to serious cysts and lesions).   If you suffer from acne for two or more years, you have chronic acne.
The most serious form of acne is cystic acne that forms when the pores become clogged with sebum mixed with dead skins cells that normally rise to the surface of the skin to be sloughed off and get trapped in the pore.  Bacteria also get trapped in this mix and as the body attempts to kill the bacteria using its immune system, you get a local inflammatory response due to cytokines, chemokines and white blood cells entering the area. Normally the pore is encased by the cells in the lower layers of the skin, but in the case of cysts this inflammation spreads under the top layer of the skin.  This influx of cells and proteins causes swelling (bumps under the skin) and can be both very painful and very harmful to your skin. 
Why You Need a Personalized Treatment for Your Acne
When we discuss a sickness or disease, many times we are actually describing the symptoms, not the disease. 
Science and medicine have made progress in better understanding the underlying causes of diseases and therefore allowing physicians to tailor the treatment that is the best for a particular individual. Furthermore, researchers are continually developing more precise medications with a goal of increased efficacy and less adverse side effects. The birth of personalized medicine came about because of the Human Genome project that was completed in 2003 and for the first time in human history provided a detailed "genetic map" for mankind. This map is helping to explain why some individuals respond to a particular drug or treatment while others do not and also allows us to actually focus on individual needs for treatment rather than a traditional "mass approach." 
Hidden Skincare Dangers. 8 Things that May be Making Your Acne Worse
Sometimes, skincare dangers are in the places we least expect. Read on to learn how to save your skin.
How many times do your use a towel on your face before you grab a new one? If your answer is anything other than "once," you might want to rethink your habit. Even if you only ever use the towel on freshly cleaned skin, there's a chance your skin isn't 100% free of bacteria. Any residual bacteria can transfer to the towel, and if you use that towel again you're putting it right back on your face. The point is, if you want to keep your face as clean as possible, and thus your skin as clear as possible, err on the side of safety and use a fresh towel every time.
Do You Know What Type of Acne You Have so that You Can Treat it the Right Way?

It's time for a reality check: You might think you know what kind of acne you have, but you might be wrong.  Let's see if you'll be able to tell.... 

QUIZ TIME!

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

The Best Everyday Skincare Routine for Your Skin Type

All of us are different: different lifestyles and preferences, different personalities, different skin tones and even different skin types. You might have oily skin, dry skin, or a combination of both with or without a sensitivity factor to mix with it. Your skin type might even change with the age, specific body conditions like pregnancy, very intense exercise, menstrual cycle or even the weather!

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

AcnEase® works! My skin is clear! What do I do next?

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

Can I stop taking AcnEase cold-turkey?

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

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

I'm Treating My Acne with AcnEase®: Will I Have to Stay on it Forever?

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

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

Is Your DIY Acne Remedy on the "Won't Work" List?

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

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

Why AcnEase? 19 Real Stories that Back Up Our Claims
Dr. Agnes and the AcnEase team want to provide you with more than just a quality acne treatment that will help you break the cycle of acne, and so we pride ourselves on providing you with not only the facts about AcnEase and the science behind it, but the facts behind acne skincare and skin health in general

We deliver the facts, and people are noticing.

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

Is Your Over-the-Counter Treatment for Acne Really Safe?

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

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

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

Is Your Prescription Treatment for Acne Really Safe?

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

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

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

How to Safely Treat Acne during Pregnancy

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.

Keeping Your Skin Breakout-Free in Extreme Winter Temperatures (Plus a Bonus DIY Toner!)

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?

Don't like Valentine's Day? Have a Mini "Spa" Party!

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!

Skin-friendly Valentine's Day Cocktails

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!

Valentine's Day Fun Your Skin Will Love

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.  

3 Best Tips to Keep Your Super Bowl Sunday Acne Skin-Friendly

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.

Are Freshly Made Fruit & Veggie Juices Beneficial for Acne-Prone Skin?
Lots of people are drinking fruit and vegetable juices these days that they actually extract themselves to be sure they get the freshest ingredients. So you might be wondering, how beneficial is it for the health of acne-prone skin? Is it the right option for me?

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.

Are Phytoestrogens a Secret Weapon Against Female Acne?

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

A common assumption amongst many is to believe that just because something is nature made
means that it is completely safe.  This my friends cannot be further
from the truth.  There are many natural substances that may have a
specific - but when taken in higher doses, mixed with other ingredients,
or abused, they may not bring any benefits and may even be unhealthy or
dangerous for you.
Post-Holiday 3-Day Detox For Acne Prone Skin

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.
Those Strange Myths about Peanuts and Acne

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

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

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

4 Festive Makeup Tips That Will Transform Your Look and Reduce Acne Breakouts
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

Acne-Friendly Recipes that Won't Ruin Your Skin or Holiday Spirit!
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.

How to Have a Breakout-Free 12 Days Before Christmas

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. 

Does "Natural" Really Mean "Natural"?

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

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

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

What does "natural" even mean?

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

The Scoop on Sugar: Acne-Friendly Sugar Substitutes

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

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

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