Acne Treatment Blog

Acne conditions that affect over 75% of people at some point in their lives- is on the rise. It also affects now more adults than teens. So, knowing what can exasperate breakout and what we can do to take them- becomes more important.

Most consumers—and even many beauty professionals—don’t realize how much information is missing, unclear, or intentionally omitted from skincare product labels.
Here are some facts that brands don’t highlight… but you need to know.

The holiday season may be behind us, but social events like Carnival and parties are still in full swing—and often accompanied by a drink or two. Many of us assume that moderation keeps us safe from harm, but when it comes to your skin, that’s not entirely true.

One of the most powerful factors stimulating the secretion of sebum – skin oil that can clog the pores and cause your acne – is a male hormone called testosterone. It happens that even it is a male hormone it is also “produced” by women and… its presence (its production) in the body is closely related to what happens when you engage in intense exercise or other physical activities.

The best way to PREVENT acne scars is to stop them before they form. Each new lesion or a deeper pimple increases the risk of permanent marks. If you can use the products that actually focus on prevention of acne before they form 

This is this time of the year! parties, dinners, Holiday gathering, quick picks and wrong choices. So -let’s see how we can help your diet to make it a powerful tool in managing your acne. Let’s focus on right choices, opt for anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich foods and avoid triggers like high-glycemic carbs, too much alcohol and processed “junk food”.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological conditions, affecting millions worldwide. Traditional treatments include topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, oral antibiotics, and hormonal therapy.

When the new season rolls in - just as we change our wardrobes, our skincare routine needs some adjustments too. First, we need to deal with the reminiscence of fun summer days that were possibly not so much fun to our skin.

We live by mobile phones. We sleep with them, eat with them, guard them (sometimes better than people in our lives) and get helpless and depressed when we lose them. Americans check their phones about 47 times per day, according to a survey by Deloitte.

Summer is over and dryer, cooler, less humid days of Fall are upon us. Fall also brings the back to school and work challenges and an avalanche of responsibilities we postponed taking advantage of the summer times. Finally, soon …. Holliday Season is approaching. In short – plenty of pressure on our already overstressed skin. This often brings an onslaught of outbreaks, redness and other skin problems.

Everyone wants a glowing and luminous skin but when this glow becomes shine….. we go from compliments to frustration and a desperate effort to turn the glow down. At this juncture we are not anymore in a space of dewy skin but in the fight with oily skin. In a previous article on how to take care of oily skin we talked about the ways to restore the healthy balance to your skin and to decrease the probabailty of breakouts.

Traveling can be an exciting adventure or a part of your professional career, but for many, it also comes with concerns about skin health, including acne breakouts. Unfortunately- the ever more common airplane flights add to this common concerns as airplane environments, often characterized by dry air and a crowded setting, can exacerbate skin issues.

If you have oily skin, I am sure you feel like you are fighting the endless battle. You fight the shine, you clean the pores, you deal with breakouts or even major assault of acne,,,, and when you feel that you almost won… the cycle starts again. But there is a light on the horizon, or even more than one.

No – this is not a new appetizer that sweeps the country nor did I “lose my… marbles”. These are some inexpensive tips on how to use one of the most popular and … cheap vegetables and something that possibly is already in your pantry or fridge … for the benefits of your skin.

Hormones play a significant role in maintaining skin health and can influence various skin conditions. It is quite encouraging that in recent years the general knowledge about how such hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone affect the skin has significantly increased. We are quite familiar with the fact that they can affect sebum (oil) production and cause acne and increase inflammation. We understand that they affect skin thickness since they influence the collagen production. Finally- most of us are relatively familiar with when and why those hormones kick- in, and what their imbalance may cause.

Uneven skin with large pores and yellowish or black bumps… yak; What are those unsightly imperfection on my skin? And what can I do about them since the best makeup or concealer really cannot camouflage them…

So what are those unsightly bumps?

The skin, our body's largest organ, is far more than just a protective barrier. It is increasingly recognized as an active endocrine organ, playing a significant role in hormonal synthesis, metabolism, and response to various hormones and signaling molecules.

There are some myths and stories circulation about skincare that need to be highlighted. For example – NO- you should not put a toothpaste on your pimples! 

On the other hand there are some practices that are not so easy to accept or reject. They need- clarification

Summer is a wonderful time for discoveries, fun, beaches and exciting travel. It is also the time of damaging sun rays, drying winds and extra sweat, crazy plane flight schedules and hotel rooms. In the short, summer is the time you may love, but your skin may dread. Here are some basic guidelines for Summer Skin Survival.

Some vitamins and more, your skin will thank you for.

Did you know that Americans spent close to $40 billion on vitamins in 2024? This is approximately 31% of all our spending on supplements and close to 35% of what the entire world spends on them. WOW!.

As we all know the power of numbers is only as good as the quality that they represent, so it seems we should think hard about what may be most beneficial for us when we elect to purchase supplements.

Scars are a natural part of the body's healing process, forming after injuries, surgeries, burns, or skin conditions like acne. While there are many treatments that can dimmish the appearance of scars, the question remains: can all scars be completely removed? Understanding how the scars form and the limitations of scar treatments is key to setting realistic expectations for those looking to improve the appearance of their skin.

Acne affects 75% of people. Yes- some are blessed with a clear beautiful complexion most of their life and some struggle to get and maintain clear and healthy skin. Acne is the most common skin condition for women and men and affects young ( pre- teens and teens) and older – not just those post puberty but mature 40+ and even 60+ year old individuals. Acne doesn’t know economic boundaries either - rich and poor get the zits; also, if you live in Portugal or Brazil, in Finland or in Marocco-you can get the dreaded pimples. And what about your lifestyle? You can be a computer geek or a rising basketball star and you can still succumb to acne…

There are many skin potions which people feel may help different skin conditions like acne, dry skin, age or sun spots even wrinkles

But a potion you can eat and cook with, enjoy as a great gourmet addition to your table while at the same time getting your body, bones, and skin healthier…. Can it be the same potion can be used as a skincare addition ? Is this real? Yes- .

Do you know the feeling? It looks like a normal night but…. In the morning…… the mirror tells you a different story. Where was a clear skin now-there are breakouts, zits, pimples…. In short–you just woke up to chin acne! So why do we get them and how to get rid of them?

You are 25 years old, or older. Your teen years are behind you - but your skin seems to not know. Opposite - your acne breakouts are getting more severe and more persistent…

Or perhaps you did not suffer from acne as a teen and now at the age of 35 your skin shows very troubling signs of adult acne.

What may be responsible for this condition?

With the arrival of Fall, days are shorter, sun exposure usually a little (or a lot !) less and longer afternoons and evenings create the perfect opportunity to dedicate a bit more time to our skin health and skincare. It is also a great time to introduce changes in your skincare routine because believe it or not but, over time, your skin “gets bored” with same products resulting in a diminished response. Therefore, Fall is the perfect time for introducing or adding new products to your routine.

Acne is a manifestation of an internal imbalance and a result of over production of oil (sebum) by your sebaceous glands. As a result – any real treatment for acne needs to involve returning the sebaceous glands to “normal” production of sebum (skin oil). If skin glands produce too much sebum – it will clog pores, attract dirt and finally attract bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) to initiate the acne cascade.

90% of our body is… water. Our blood is 90% composed of water. Water moves around oxygen and nutrients that every cell in our body needs. Water helps to form urine and flush out the waste from our bodies. In addition, it lubricates our joints, regulates our body temperature, normalizes blood pressure, prevents wrinkles….. enough? These are just some benefits of water.

Retinol is one of the best-known skin care ingredients on the market. It is also often very misunderstood. Retinods (also called Vitamin A derivatives) really represent an umbrella name for a group of products containing retinol- a molecule that is found in the natural vegetal world. Lipophilic, once ingested it is stored in the liver and in the skin. Retinol is used by dermatologists to correct many skin problem such as the signs of ageing, wrinkles, inhomogeneous complexion and pigmentation disorders, even acne and acne scars.

If you are like many other people, you assume your makeup regimen is going to help you cover up those problem areas and acne-prone regions of the skin. The problem is makeup products do not treat the underlying condition. That is why it is often beneficial to seek out natural based products that can treat your acne and then follow a few simple tips and tricks for minimizing damage to your skin from your makeup regimen.

Acne affects approximately 40 to 50 million people in the United States alone. This condition is quite common in people who fall in the adolescent age bracket. However, it can also affect adults and a few in the puberty stages. Again, the condition is quite common but one that can cause discomfort and low self-esteem.

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.

Any time of the year ( Hot, cold or in between) , for any type of skin ( oily, dry, old or young) moisturizing is one of the foundations of proper skincare. This is especially important after drying sun exposure or after winter spent in dry, air heated spaces. The problem is, that as the proverb says, “All that glitters is not gold”.

So now You ordered the right AcnEase Regimen and you've just received your customized monthly treatment pack.

What do you do next? How do you make your efforts, your money and AcnEase work the best for YOU?

In our previous articles ( links) we talked about the nature of steroids and testosterone. Today , we focus on the specific female hormone – estrogen. The effect of estrogen is to moderate or regulate the growth and function of several organs in the body, mainly the uterus and breast but also the skin that is indeed the largest organ in the body.

Summer is beach and barbecues, traveling and lazy evenings by the pool. It is also heat, humidity or dryness, sweating and extra acne breakouts. https://www.acnease.com/acne-treatment-system/ In addition- the choice between melting foundation and smeared eyeliner and showing the world your teenage acne scars may not always be the easiest task to tackle. So here are a few summer makeup tips that will help you to avoid extra acne breakouts and leaving you fresh and confident on those sweaty and hot days.

Skincare Tips for Hot Weather.  Major rules for healthy skincare in hot weather

1. WEAR SUN PROTECTION - Hot conditions in most situations means Sun and SUN means the need to protect your skin with the products providing at least 25 SPF. This applies to every complexion color and type. Oily and dry, light and dark, young and old. Look for non-comedogenic products without oils, possibly broad spectrum and sustainable when you sweat or swim.

Dr Vaswani who has recently joined Herborium and AcnEase Team is Board Certified Endocrinology and Metabolism Expert as well as Board certified in Clinical Nutrition. He completed his fellowship training at Yale University and was a research scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratories for two decades.  He has a clinical practice in Garden City, New York where he specializes in hormonal and metabolic disorders.

Dr Vaswani who has recently joined Herborium and AcnEase Team is Board Certified Endocrinology and Metabolism Expert as well as Board certified in Clinical Nutrition. He completed his fellowship training at Yale University and was a research scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratories for two decades. 

Masks are starting to come off, places are opening back up, and summertime is in session– that means one thing: it’s time for vacation! But for those of us with a face full of pimples, we may not know how to properly care for our skin while on the go.

At long last, it’s here! The days are long, the sun is burning high in the sky, and temperatures are soaring. After what felt like a never-ending winter, it’s wonderful to be outside again. Everybody deserves to enjoy the summer. But for some, it’s an extra challenging part of the year. Long summer days mean wearing greasy sunscreen, spending longer hours away from the house, and, now, sweating underneath a mask.

We all want flawless, glowing skin, but figuring out to achieve it can be hard, thanks to the endless skincare advice out there on the internet. If you want to achieve healthy, radiant skin without an intensive skincare routine, you can still pamper yourself by sticking to the basics. Here are the nine skincare tips that cover all the bases.

So you’re an acne sufferer AND a makeup addict? Oh boy! Don’t worry, we get the story. It’s normal to envy those lucky few who can deluge their faces in primers, sprays and goops, with zero pimple consequences (AT ALL!!!), while we sadly aren’t blessed with these powers of makeup invisibility. For us, dolling up is a Catch-22… because our favorite beauty besties are also our worst beauty enemies. The more we cover up and contour away our flaws, the more awful our next breakout will be. Call that a fair tradeoff? Hellza no... and pass!

Acne is often thought of as something that only happens in our teens. In reality, those painful pimples can sneak up on us at any point in our lives. It can be overwhelming trying to treat it, too. Especially when we experience more than just breakouts. When you throw skin discoloration, wrinkles, and uneven texture into the mix, it gets even more complicated.

It’s important to understand the root cause of acne in the first place. When our hormones aren’t functioning the way they should, they directly affect sebum (also known as oil) production. An overabundance of oil shows up in our pores and leads straight to acne, resulting in pimples and even sometimes painful cysts.

Masks play an important role in protecting you and others against infection with the Covid-19 virus. At the same time wearing a mask can be hard on your skin

As we discussed in the previous article regarding maskne

Unfortunately, even masks are an important weapon against getting sick with Covid -19 and also a common cold, they also cause a side effect -a condition known as “maskne” (mask acne). 

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.  

Quick and strenuous exercises are all the rage right now, but these types of exercises, along with too many hours spent in the gym or on the track, may not be the best option for those with acne. Instead, if you have acne-prone skin, you'll do better with moderate exercise as part of a healthy, less stressful lifestyle.

This is a really exciting time of year for many - it’s the season of pumpkin spice and the lead up to the holiday period. However, as the temperatures begin to drop, it’s important to keep good skin habits for clear skin - the thing is, they might not necessarily be the same things as we’d do in the summer.

In the summer, skin tends to be oilier as the weather is much more humid and not as cold. Adapting your skincare routine to colder, wetter weather ensures your skin stays clear all year round - these six fall skincare tips will help your skin all autumn long, and as well prepare your skin for your winter routine.

As we love summer - summer often does NOT love our skin.

Fresh air and fresh fruits are certainly good for us but the healthiest sun-kissed look really comes from the bottle not the beach.

Acne prone skin is not an exception and requires a special attention by the end of the summer and in the Fall since summer sun , salty water and outdoor fun may actually require you to apply extra moisture to your skin WITHOUT clogging your pores and exasperating your acne symptoms.

What is it?

AcnEase® is a clinically validated Botanical Therapeutics® acne treatment that not only breaks the cycle of acne, but also ELIMINATES and PREVENTS acne from the inside out. A “better than natural” trade secret blend of the highest quality grade herbs, AcnEase proprietary ingredients restore the balance disrupted by the factors that cause acne and return the sebaceous glands to a balanced state so they produce a normal amount of sebum (skin oil).

Though exercise is good for your weight, agility, stamina, cardio, and managing stress, it can also carry some unexpected and not very pleasant effects.

However, if we know what these side-effects are and learn how to control or prevent them, we can fully enjoy benefits of all form of exercising.

It is not easy to keep caring about our skin if we feel no one will see us, if our routine is broken, when we feel lonely, depressed, un-productive, anxious about our future and striped from power to control our lives. In recent weeks, there is NO ONE who did NOT experienced at least one of those feelings at least once.

But while a full make-up at 7:00 am may not be most important on your agenda today keeping up your normal skin routine and even enhancing it by few important and relevant changes is very important 

Spring is here. Summer is coming. The seasons where heat and humidity can play havoc on oily and acne prone skins.  Our skin is the largest organ of the body and is composed of many components – water, lipids and proteins. The top layer of the skin, the one that you see, plays a vital role in your health. It protects our insides from germs and infections. It regulates body temperature, maintains water and electrolyte balance, and helps us sense pleasure and pain. The body’s largest organ is always working for you. 

As a teenager struggling with acne, you couldn’t wait for adulthood to help get rid of it because all the creams and potions you used were not effective. But you are all grown now and sadly the “adulthood medication” didn’t work for you—you’re still at war with Acne, but it’s better now because you can afford more expensive solutions but yet again, they still aren’t effective and the dream of unblemished glass skin is still as far as it once was.

Between having a family, working, keeping up with family and friends (and surviving the awful traffic), you still haven’t figured out your skin. You’ve gone from antibiotics, lotions and creams to facials, herbal teas and even prayer. To make matters worse, you also have relics from your darker past (acne marks). We see you; we understand your struggle and guilt. You barely even remember to drink water at times, talk more of any daily 10-step skincare routines.

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.

There seems to be a super-frustrating trade-off for gym junkies like me who love working out. Hear me out—I'm proud of my physique, but the thing is, working out on the regular is directly related to how much body acne I'm dealing with. My only comfort? I know I'm not alone! Almost any person that works out—whether it's yoga, cycling, or weightlifting—KNOWS that there are going to be pimples that pop up on their chest, back or even on their bum, depending on the sport they do.

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?

Have you ever wondered to think if it’s a myth or not that chocolate causes zits? The link between diet and acne isn’t clearly understood—at least, not yet. There’s no doubt that what we eat affects our whole bodies, skin included, but is it really as simple as a chocolate bar or can of soda causing new breakouts the next day? 

And that’s not even going into how intense some people’s skin seems to react to certain foods. While the correlation isn’t fully established, a growing number of people claim that particular food groups don’t just break them out—they’re the direct cause of cystic acne.

Being a teenager does come with its fair share of pros and cons. The first love. The first kiss. The first dates. Then when you add the world of fashion, beauty, reality TV, and social media, the teen world can get pretty confusing. Then when acne and pimples appear, it can get disappointing. Teen Acne is something that is very common, especially with the changing hormones and stresses that can plague them.  This is the time where image may be everything, and looking their best is crucial. But does it have to be this way? No, as AcnEase can help teens through the progression of teen acne to the maintenance of post acne. It’s back to the basics of skin care and health from the inside.

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.

When it comes to acne, it seems like the most common piece of advice given is “Just wash your face!” as if that solves every single cause of acne - hormonal, diet, makeup, whatever. However, if it were really that simple, no one would have acne - ever.

What matters is what you actually wash your face with. There’s no denying that our skin is affected by what we use on it, so why would face wash be an exception?

It may sound a little strange but SKIN  s the largest and a very important organ we have.

Skin provides protections for most of our other internal organs, helps to regulate body temperature and our water content, keeps away harmful agents and even bacteria

Skin is also an important part of who we are, our personal ID card, so sometime it is a source of pride and happiness and sometime-a trouble maker

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. 

Amongst the eat healthier, exercise more, volunteer more resolutions, there would be a number of people who finally decide to join the “go to natural” movement this new year 2019. The reason for this is that more and more people are beginning to realize natural remedies/products are just as effective as chemical products. Plus there is the added benefit of minimal to no side effects and more synergistic interaction with your internal functions to produce better sustainable results. As such the use of natural skin care products/remedies for the treatment of acne is on the rise.

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.

More than 80% of Americans between the ages of 11 and 24 experience some of form of acne. For some the acne begins at puberty and ends shortly after. While for others this becomes a lifelong struggle that persists for many years. If your acne has persisted for longer than 2 years, then the odds are you are suffering from chronic acne as opposed to acute acne. Acute acne is the infrequent acne that shows up occasionally as a result of environmental factors, diet, or a brief hormonal surge. These surface symptoms can be easily treated with masks, streamers, etc. Though, acute acne and chronic acne may be caused by different factors, the way they form is the same in both cases.

Adult acne can be quite embarrassing and it makes us self-conscious in social gatherings. Hence, we are often willing to do anything to get rid of these facial blemishes. Men in general are a lot more willing to try pills gotten online or recommended by their dermatologists without reviewing the risk factors. This is because while a woman can hide her acne behind foundation and makeup, most men are unwilling to do this as they see makeup as the feminine. Accutane the most commonly recommended drug by dermatologists to treat acne was pulled off the market due to adverse side effects and is a subject of Class action Suite.

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.

The factors responsible for rosacea are unknown; Some explain Rosacea as a result of an imbalance in the body that leads to excessive dilation of the blood vessels mainly on the face. AcnEase® is a product specialized in the fight against internal imbalance that leads to dermatological problems such as acne and Rosacea. In addition- Acnease helps to control other symptoms of Rosacea especially GI REFLUX and Ocular Rosacea ( gritty eyes).

Most individuals see results in the first 4 weeks. As detailed below, there are many factors that affect the duration of the AcnEase treatment. The majority of people with mild-to-moderate acne only need to take AcnEase for a couple of months to have a clear skin; and as described below after obtaining a clear skin, individuals may choose to take a maintenance dose of 4-6 tablets / day for a suitable period of time. The key is to wean off the tablets little by little once you have a clear skin.

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.

So, schools are going to start again. This year make sure that you look your best and stay confident throughout the year. Do not let your acne-prone skin dull your shine!

With your head up and chin high, walk confidently without worrying about acne breakouts! Yes, you can do it. All it takes is the right skin care and you are done.

We will tell you how.

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.

Most people associate acne with teenagers.  However, acne can affect people of all ages including adults in their thirties and forties.  While the pimples that appear on an adult’s face looks identical to the ones on a teenager’s, they appear for different reasons and at different times.  This guide will explain the differences between teen acne and adult acne to help you understand how they should be treated. 

Gluten is a little bit of a buzzword these days, I am sure you have seen it on the side of food packaging and marketing materials waving the flag to ensure you know if something is gluten free. But why, what is it?! Many sources claim that gluten is safe for everybody, except perhaps people with a diagnosis of celiac disease or display similar symptoms.  But confusingly other health professionals suggest that gluten is in fact harmful for the majority of people and we should be looking out for the gluten free badges. So, where do we stand and what are the implications?!

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.

Every day your skin gets coated with all sorts of bacteria, make up, dirt, dead skin and oil that is naturally produced (sebum). If your pores are clogged with a mixture of sebum and outside pollutants, the process backs up and builds up, potentially along with bacteria. The result? Whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, blemishes, scars and of course acne. In order to help your skin fight these daily gunks, an effective cleansing routine with AcnEase, highlighting the cleanser is very important. Here's a helpful guide to choosing the right skin cleanser for your skin type.

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.

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.

As we are still in autumn and winter is just around the corner, temperatures are decreasing day by day while acne is increasingly heating up. People who struggle with acne may experience flare-ups more frequently, and sufferers of eczema or rosacea may experience more intense symptoms such as itchy skin and redness in dry and cold weather. This is why we think your skin may require a little extra care. 

Blackheads are small bumps that appear on your skin due to clogged hair follicles. These bumps are called blackheads because the surface looks dark or black. Blackheads are a type of acne and even if they are less serious that cystic acne, they are very frustrating. In addition – long term blackheads may live enlarged pores and uneven skin, furthermore if removed the wrong way they may lead to infection, acne marks or even scars. Blackheads   usually form on the face, but they can also appear on other body parts such as: back, chest, neck, arms and shoulders.

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.

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.

Acne is not just women and teens problem. Over 25% of acne sufferers are men and this includes not just adolescents but actually grow up and otherwise very macho guys.  In fact, during last decade the median age of people with acne (including men) has risen by almost 23%, from 20.5 years to about 26.5 years old.. In addition guys have obviously less chance to camouflage acne with makeup while at the same time their acne is usually more difficult to treat, and a general trend is for men to be more concerned with their appearance, and more focused ( and spending) on their looks including wellness, grooming and clothes.

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.

You don’t have to undergo an entire overhaul of your skincare routine or lifestyle to deal with breakouts this summer when just a few quick and easy adjustments to your existing plan can work just fine, and probably stick with you in the long run!

What is 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.

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 think of treating acne, zapping away oil and dirt with a medicated cleanser is usually the first thing that comes to mind, but unless you have something working from within, chances are those pimples will return in no time.

Spring has been well under way for a few weeks now, but even if you’ve already cleaned your house and home, there’s always time for a thorough skin cleansing ritual as well!

Before treating acne, it’s important to understand just how this condition affects the body, and skin. Acne is attributed to a hormonal imbalance, which can affect the function of the sebaceous glands, whose job it is to create sebum, or oil. This oil travels along the pore to hydrate and protect the skin on the surface. When too much sebum becomes clogged within a pore and pairs with dead skin cells from the surface, bacteria forms, triggering an inflammatory response from the body. This process is known as the acne cascade, and usually results in red, swollen bumps known as pimples, a symptom of acne.

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.

Washing acne-prone skin plays a big part in maintaining its health and happiness, but if you’re using products that don’t work with your particular skin or acne type, those twice-daily reprieves may be doing more harm than good.

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. 

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.

A: Why is it that people often get a huge pimple before a special event? We know there are many potential causes that can exacerbate acne, and one that can do a number on you is stress. The holidays can be a great time, but also stressful…stress hormones can trigger excess sebum and before you know it, you’ve got some nasty breakouts right before a fun night out. Before your NYE party or any special event you are looking forward to, it’s so important to add in a few important things you can do to give your skin its best chance of shining!

A:  It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but not for your skin unfortunately!  Parties with sugary treats and alcohol, late nights, cold temperatures, drying winds and dry indoor heating systems can wreak havoc on your skin and call for some emergency updates in your skincare routine.

The best way to achieve glowing skin for the holidays is simple: keep it hydrated and exfoliated whenever you can.  And don’t forget the old adage, “you are what you eat… and drink” as well!

And since many of our readers have severe acne, exfoliation needs to be done with extreme care or not at all until the major lesions and cysts heal.   So keep reading and get glowing!

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.

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.

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?

Acne is usually associated with being a teen “problem,” but did you know that the average age of someone with acne is 26?

If you’ve tried everything to treat your adult acne, or are just experiencing acne for the first time and want to avoid the guessing game, read on to learn what you’re working with, and how to really treat the problem.

When it comes to the benefits apple cider vinegar can have on acne-prone skin, the list is practically endless! It can naturally detoxify the body of harmful free radicals by flushing toxins from within, exfoliate dead skin cells on the surface, and contains manganese, which helps the body metabolize vitamins, and protects cells against damage caused by free radicals. Even digesting apple cider vinegar has its benefits, as the process produces malic acid, naturally rich in antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, which are all essential steps in fighting acne!

A:

Adult acne can hit you like a train out of nowhere. Lots of people suffer from acne as adults, even if they had perfectly clear skin throughout their teenage years. Acne in younger people is, in a sense, easier to understand, because it is linked to hormonal changes and an excess of oil production from the sebaceous glands. Acne in adults is much more complicated because, yes even though it comes from a hormonal imbalance, there are more sources to contend with.

Overnight spot treatments, age-defying serums, pore-reducing tonics - In such a consumer-driven culture, it isn’t uncommon to witness claims that promise nothing short of a miracle to eliminate your acne. Designed to encourage buyers to pluck a product off the shelf in an instant, many of these topical treatments are wrapped in packaging ripe with buzzwords, to instill a sense of trust, wonder and hope that this magic bottle might possibly be the answer to their problems!  Additionally, many products are designed for teens so it’s impossible to decipher how to treat adult acne in a world full of teen acne products. 

For anyone with acne, the universal question still remains - how do I get rid of it?! We all want to get rid of our pesky pimples ASAP, but in order to understand the best way to treat the problem, it’s important to understand the cause of our concern.

The term acne is generally used to describe those red or white swollen bumps that appear on our skin, but those are actually just the symptoms of acne, which is technically a skin disease. Usually caused by a hormonal imbalance, acne can affect anyone at any age, though some people are more genetically predisposed to experience acne than others. Acne can appear in a variety of forms, from whiteheads to cysts, each requiring their own level of care, and approach to treatment.

Herborium Group, Inc. is excited to announce that the AcnEase® acne skincare treatment blog has been named, for the second consecutive year, one of the Best Skincare Blogs of 2016 by the distinguished Healthline.com. Joining the ranks of Allure’s Daily Beauty Reporter, the AcnEase blog was selected and praised by Healthline as a top blog providing high quality information and education to consumers that empower them to make informed, safe and effective skincare choices.

If you live in an area of the world that experiences seasonal changes, you probably know this situation all too well: you find a nice solution to help keep your acne symptoms at bay, and just as you finally start to notice results, the weather changes and you have to start all over again with some entirely new routine!   And the more severe the acne, the worse it can be.

While treating acne can come with its own source of headaches, it doesn’t have to be a devastating ordeal each time the climates change. By taking just a few preventative measures, you can treat your skin NOW, and set yourself up for a flawless fall face at the same time! Here are just a few of our favorite tips to help take your summer acne treatment to fall without a hitch! 

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!  

Summer time is synonymous with fun in the sun, right? If you’ve got acne, it may also mark the beginning of some big-time breakouts, which isn’t exactly most people’s idea of a good time.

Body acne most frequently appears on the back and chest. You may not realize the prevalence of body acne since most people are normally wearing clothes, but more than half of people with facial acne have some amount of body acne.  The reasons are simple. 

Everyone’s skin and body chemistry is different but one thing remains the same: When chronic skin problems arise there’s a sure sign that something is amiss. 

We’re pleased to announce the addition of NYC esthetician, Courtney Wells, to the AcnEase team as a skincare expert to help you get even closer to obtaining and keeping acne-free skin for life. Courtney has worked with numerous acne sufferers over the years, helping them to find the right balance that works for their skin naturally.

June is a very important month for us over here at AcnEase. It’s a time when we get to pull out all the stops by focusing even more so on a topic that is usually off-limits. Well guess what? We’re going to chat even more now about how we can help you get rid of your acne long term, and how you will also be able to help others who you don’t even know with getting rid of their acne – it’s all about paying it forward. #acnechat

If you have acne, and have read up on its causes, you will find yourself coming across the word “sebum” quite a bit. We know that too much of it can lead to acne breakouts, but what exactly is sebum?

Sebum is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. Our skin needs it in order to function, but too much of it can lead to acne, and an overly oily complexion. Other than the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, sebaceous glands can be found all over the body.

When most people think of oil in relation to acne, their first impulse is usually to steer clear of the slick stuff. In fact, much of the topical skincare industry owes it’s success to stripping skin of oil, promising hopeful acne-prone consumers a squeaky-clean complexion through a course of scrubs, wipes and treatments. Lately, a new trend is shaking things up in the area of acne treatment, using the very thing we’ve been taught to fear to treat our stubborn blemishes and breakouts. 

We all like to shine…. but not on our faces. So we often ask, WHY is my skin oily and WHAT can I do about it?

The oil you see on your face is called sebum. Produced by the sebaceous glands, sebum is actually a good thing, and is a necessary part of maintaining healthy skin. Sebum travels from the sebaceous glands to the surface through the pores to hydrate, moisturize, and protect the various layers that make up the skin. The face tends to be the oiliest part of the body as that’s where the majority of the sebaceous glands are located, anywhere from 2,500 to 5,500 per square inch!

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.

For thousands of years, human beings have looked to the foods that grow naturally around them to fuel their bodies, bring people together, and even treat certain ailments, including acne. From using cloves to numb a toothache, to adding garlic to soups in a fight against the common cold, herbs and spices have been proven to help cure what ails us, all while adding a delicious dash of flavor to the dishes we eat everyday.

For women, the decision to take oral contraceptives is a personal one, with many reasons factoring into their decision. Many women use hormonal birth control (aka “the pill”) for the skin-saving benefits and for those with acne-prone skin, waking up to a face free of breakouts is reason enough to choose the pill as a way to manage their acne.

Acne affects nearly half of adult women and almost a third of adult men. Acne can appear at just about any age and 75% of all people suffer from acne breakouts at some point in their lives.

Acne usually makes its first appearance during adolescence, however, we’re seeing more and more adults suffering from acne breakouts. Statistical data also confirms that the number of adults affected by acne is steadily increasing. Acne affects people of all ethnic and economic backgrounds, making it one of the most widespread and “populistic” medical conditions in the world.

We get it - the life of a teenager is demanding and fast paced. There’s stress that comes with performing well in school and extracurricular activities, social pressures (including being involved in social media) and personal and/or family challenges. Couple this with the fact that teens are always on the go, and proper skincare is a bit tough to fit in. Instant gratification usually replaces taking preventative measures, and often times, many teens think acne will eventually go away by itself.

Many people associate acne with the teen years, and the constant hormonal changes associated with puberty. Most topical acne treatments, such as facial washes, lotions, and spot treatments, are advertised to appeal to teens, and the products are formulated to treat the type of acne that affects teens the most. However, the average age of those with acne is actually 26! With the teen market front and center, how can you keep a clear complexion in your adult years?

Acne can be a source of trouble for many people throughout their teen years. With hormones fluctuating, causing oil production to kick into overdrive, breakouts can be hard to keep under control. For many, this problem doesn’t simply go away once they reach adulthood, with some experiencing acne for the first time after they’ve outgrown puberty, which is known as “adult-onset acne.” Or, for some, acne can resurface as an adult.

When you’re still battling acne into your adult years, you’ve probably asked yourself this question many times - WHY?! Because so many tend to view acne as a teen problem, the issues surrounding adult acne aren’t commonly explained as well and addressed. This can be both frustrating and actually jeopardize your efforts to regain clear skin.

To choose an effective and efficient treatment for adult acne, it’s important to understand what causes the condition before you can begin searching for a solution. Reason being that acne is an internal issue that manifests itself externally.

For anyone with acne, you probably know by now that treating your skin is a job that needs to be done 365 days a year. However, many people don’t realize that as the weather changes with the seasons, our bodies do too, and this includes our skin.

Our skin is the largest organ on our body, and because it is exposed to the world, it also feels the effects of the elements, whatever they may be at any given time of year. During the cold months, the surface of the skin tends to dry out due to freezing temperatures, harsh winds, forced hot air, and an overall decrease in hydration, as people tend to need less water when they’re not sweating as much.

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 (actually not just on your face but also on your entire body), often resulting in dead, flaky skin cells, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts in places you did not think you could ever break out. People who struggle with acne may experience flare-ups more frequently, and sufferers of eczema or rosacea may experience more intense symptoms such as itchy skin and redness in dry and cold weather, which may require a little extra care.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday all about the love, and lovers have been showing their affection to each other in the form of flowers, gifts, chocolates and cards since as early as the 18th century. While getting a nice set of jewels is one way to send some hearts a-flutter, others might appreciate a proper pampering to get themselves in a romantic mood.

When most people think of their go-to Valentine’s Day gifts, roses, chocolate and champagne top the list. After the holiday is over, these displays of affection can still keep spreading the love when paired with a little creativity and a few extra minutes. These decadent delights for the skin can make for an act of self-love and care that your complexion will be feeling well into the next week!

The month of February is rich in romantic opportunities, focusing on the love between two people. While this is a wonderful thing, how about focusing on the love you have for that other special person in your life? YOU!

The time we spend with ourselves can be the most rewarding and beneficial thing we do. Self-care is an empowering act, one that encourages us to take responsibility for our mind and bodies, get in touch with what we value and celebrate our self-worth. Making a commitment to lend some time and attention to ourselves is a sure fire way for our clear skin efforts to pay off in the long run.

When people talk about fighting acne, it’s usually the blemishes that affect the face that come to mind. Yet for many, these breakouts don’t stop at the skin that you see. Body acne is just as much an issue on the minds of the acne-prone, and with a holiday like Valentine’s Day coming up, the prospect of potentially snuggling up with a sweetie can be stressful.

The most common areas for acne to show up on the body appear on the chest, neck, shoulders, back, and butt. In the same way that it takes consistent work to keep our faces blemish-free, it takes at least as much effort to do the same for our bodies.

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, parties from coast to coast are already being planned. Chicken wings, pizza, beer and salty snacks are usually the go-to’s for most menus, and for anyone with acne, these greasy treats can not only trigger panic, but breakouts as well.

Much like the game of football itself, treating acne takes both offensive and defensive measures to achieve a win for your skin, combining treatment regimens to attack the acne cascade both from within, and on the surface.

The size of large pores may be a source of aggravation or obsession for those that deal with them on a daily basis. Hard to conceal and often associated with oily skin, the frustrations that come with large pores are more than cosmetic. In fact, large pores and the amount of breakouts that appear on the skin are more related than you may realize.

Naturally oily skin tends to come with larger pore size. Some medical sources believe that a larger pore is in an indication of a larger oil-producing gland, which results in skin that may be more oily than normal.

Now that the hustle of the holidays is behind us, many are left with our energy, complexions and bank accounts drained. Fortunately, treating ourselves to a little rest and relaxation can be as easy as wrapping up in a robe and heading to the bathroom or kitchen.

Creating an at-home mini spa session can be easier than most people realize. It only takes a little creativity, a few basic household items, and less than an hour carved out of the day. You’ll experience bliss on a budget and give yourself the gift of some much needed “me time” before tackling all that 2016 has in store.

If you have just started taking AcnEase^®, congratulations! You’ll be comforted in knowing that we’re not just another trendy acne treatment that may only provide temporary results, at best. With zero side effects and a 96% success rate, this systemic answer to your acne is built on a relatively simple principle: Fight acne causes, not just symptoms. The cause of acne is inside your body- so take your fight inside. However, there are a few things to keep in mind that will ensure that you have the acne-free skin you deserve.

With the colder weather coming in, adjustments to our skincare routine should be made to compensate for the change in seasons. The drop in your thermostat and the forced hot air that gets turned on to keep us warm can have a negative impact on the condition of the skin. For those with acne, this drying effect can lead to more breakouts.

With 2015 reaching its end, many people like to reflect on all that has happened in the past year. The change in dates also offers us an opportunity to look forward to the future, setting goals and making resolutions to improve the quality of our lives in both small and larger ways. Because maintaining healthy skin is work like anything else, setting attainable goals can go a long way in achieving measurable improvements.

With all the sweet foods at our fingertips during the holiday season, temptation is around almost every corner. While everyone should allow themselves to indulge from time to time, those with acne-prone complexions might find themselves paying for it on the surface of their skin for days.

Many people blame their acne on sugar and although no single food is the cause of the condition, certain things we eat, including sugar, can affect the way our bodies react. The condition of acne is due in part to a hormonal imbalance that takes place within the body.

With so many food-centric holidays happening this time of year, enjoying a marvelous meal with friends and loved ones isn’t hard to come by. During the holidays, sources of temptation and opportunities to indulge are plentiful. For those with acne, certain foods might trigger breakouts. With a little knowledge and creativity, you can make any holiday meal work in your favor by including foods that benefit the appearance of your skin and contribute to your goal of being acne-free!

For those with acne, there are certain foods we have been warned to stay away from since our teen years to avoid making the problem worse. The main culprits on the list are usually dairy, greasy foods, like pizza and fries, and sugary foods, including chocolate. At the same time, we have learned over the years that certain types of chocolate have a number of health benefits, so how true is the myth that your candy bar is causing your acne?

When people think of acne, red, irritated bumps often come to mind. What many of us do not know is that there are several types of acne symptoms that fall into different categories. Most people reflexively reach for the pimple cream to zap their zits, or even worse, attempt to squeeze the blemish into oblivion. Take a few minutes to learn about what appears on your complexion, how to avoid making your acne worse and how to take charge of treating your acne in the most effective way.

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to catch up with friends and family. For many, however, the season comes with a slew of social commitments, commuting through busy airports, or entertaining a house full of guests.

The stress of the season can really do a number on your skin, especially when paired with the dry, cold air. Keeping your face clean and moisturized can go a long way to help breakouts from ruining your good time. However, when it comes to treating acne, it’s what’s on the inside that counts; acne is an external manifestation of an internal disorder - so even though topical tips may help temporarily, it won’t go away until you deal with the internal issue of acne.

With just about everyone on social media these days, the prospect of a potential photo op is always right around the corner. Between holiday parties and visiting with friends and family, you can find yourself in front of the camera even more now than ever, and for those with acne, you don’t have to hide in the back if you’re embarrassed by a breakout.

With all the filters and editing tools available to bring our best photo forward, it’s tempting to edit afterward. However, with some non-comedogenic makeup, clean hands, and a little practice, you can create a flawless finish to serve as a temporary quick fix!

Proper hydration is one of the fundamental components of health and most people are aware of the importance of drinking enough water. The vast benefits of water on the various systems of the body range from regulating a healthy weight to reducing muscle cramping, and so much more. One of the greatest benefits hydration has to offer is the role it plays in the healthy functioning of the skin.

Over the last few years, a new skincare tool has been all the rage for people spanning the entire spectrum of skin types. Offering users a deep clean, a variety of facial cleansing brushes claim to deliver a healthy glow and a blemish-free complexion. But are these brushes doing more harm than good for acne-prone skin?

Designed to give users the cleanest clean possible, brushes work to remove dirt, grime, makeup and bacteria with the help of oscillating bristles or heads. Intended to keep pores clean in a similar style to microdermabrasion, brushes offer an at-home exfoliating treatment that was previously only available at the hands of a dermatologist or aesthetician.

Leftovers are always in abundance on Thanksgiving. This year, don’t fret if you buy in excess. Many common Thanksgiving ingredients can be used in DIY skincare solutions such as masks or scrubs.

The most important thing to remember during the busy holidays is to adhere to your skincare regimen and that includes taking your daily dose of AcnEase^®. It’s also helpful to supplement your skincare routine with a delicate scrub or nourishing mask when your skin suffers from stress or other times when it doesn’t receive the proper care. The holidays are one of those times when we are often too busy to dedicate enough time and energy to ourselves and our skin.

Thanksgiving is not only a time to be grateful, but a time to recognize the special people that have made a difference. AcnEase^® would like to thank all of you for your interest in our product and having faith in our commitment to you.

As the holiday season approaches, we become busy with holiday gatherings, shopping, and travel. It’s easy to fall behind in your skincare routine, which is something we work so hard for the rest of the year. While the focus of Thanksgiving is appreciating and celebrating the things we are thankful for, let’s include our skin and nurture it too!

Is your skin familiar with those red, swollen bumps that are painful to the touch and impossible to conceal? If so, your body’s response to inflammation may be working overtime, and among other things, your complexion is paying the price.

What exactly is inflammation? Inflammation is a natural response by the body in an attempt to protect itself from foreign irritants, such as bacteria, chemicals, or even foods that one’s body may be inclined to reject. Inflammation is a common part of the healing process and usually subsides once the foreign element has been addressed. In terms of acne symptoms, an inflammatory response can result in red, swollen bumps on your face that are often painful and irritating.

Acne, and its associated problems, is probably one of the most discussed and misunderstood health concerns. The reason may be because we typically try to identify ONE factor, culprit or villain responsible for our misery and frustration. We want to understand what causes all those blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and painful cysts, and so we place the blame on our diet, puberty, the environment, etc. If we can just pinpoint the exact problem, then we can cure ourselves of our acne, right?

When we think of the physical effects that a lack of sleep might have on our appearance, most people immediately think of puffy eyes, dark circles under the eye, or a sallow complexion. What many don’t realize is the relationship between a lack of sleep and the health of our skin, including the potential impact on the condition of acne. By avoiding our internal clock and our body’s natural circadian rhythm, we create a condition far more complicated than we may realize.

Getting the proper amount of quality sleep is just as important to our bodies as food, water and oxygen. Staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy diet, and cleansing the skin of any dirt or makeup before going to bed are all essential aspects in keeping our skin healthy and looking its best. This is especially important for those who are acne-prone.

Over the last few years, many people have become largely aware of the benefits of adding freshly squeezed juice to their diet. From combating colds to fighting fatigue to better overall health, people are turning to their juicer to help remedy what ails them. One of the lesser known benefits of juicing is that it helps fight acne.

There are many fantastic fruits and veggies that are great for the skin. The natural properties found in many juice recipes are a healthy option for those who do not meet the recommended daily serving of fruits and veggies. The widely popular “green juice” is well-known for flushing toxins from the body.

For many with acne, the pesky bumps that come with the territory can be an endless source of frustration. The symptom of the acne condition appears on the skin as pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads, each coming with their own set of problems when looking to eliminate.

Typically, when a pimple appears on the skin, its natural course will run from anywhere between 3-7 days before disappearing. In the case of whiteheads and blackheads (a form of acne), however, the clogged pore never quite reaches an inflamed state, making it much harder to treat, or even temporarily conceal with makeup or spot treatments. Many are tempted to pick at or squeeze the infected area, which can lead to irritation or even infection. Others reach for a more harsh solution to remedy their woes, turning to pore strips, or even chemical peels to erase these annoying occurrences. What many people don’t know is that an easy and effective alternative can probably be found right in their own kitchens.

For those who love to celebrate the kid within, October can be the most wonderful time of the year. The larger than life attitude that comes with a costume-heavy and makeup-thick celebration such as Halloween allows many to let their wild side shine. Unfortunately, your skin might suffer the consequences and Halloween can prove to be a scary sight for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin.

With all the makeup, candy, trick-or-treating, dancing, and lack of sleep that surrounds Halloween, the conditions for the skin to break out are perfect. We don’t want all of the fun to catch up with your skin, so when preparing for the festivities this year, remember to be mindful of these common threats to clear skin.

Now that you have found the right makeup for your skin, using the Part One of the Makeup Guide, it’s time to get to the fun stuff...applying makeup! Whether you are looking to conceal blemishes and achieve a natural finish, or go all out with a dramatic look, these basic application techniques are practiced by some of the most popular makeup artists and are a cinch to master with some patience and practice.

No great work of art was ever created without the use of proper tools. Applying makeup is no different. Be sure to select the appropriate size and shape brush for each step and product. Using a clean brush to apply concealer, foundation, and powder is absolutely essential for those who live with acne. Dirty brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. Ideally, clean your makeup brushes at least once a week. The process is simple and brief.

Shopping for makeup can be overwhelming. There are so many options to consider such as color, coverage and feel. When you tack on the added pressure of finding a formula that is suitable for acne-prone skin, experimenting with makeup can end up doing more harm than good.

While makeup shopping for acne-prone skin can seem daunting at first, it is certainly not impossible, especially when you know what to look out for. Whether you prefer to reach for high-end brands, or stick with the more economic formulas, you definitely have many opportunities to find the right solution for you.

The first step in shopping for the right makeup for acne prone skin is becoming familiar with some key terms.

Vitamins play an essential and vital role in the health of every living being. Whether we find it in the food that we eat, or the supplements that we ingest, the body relies on these important compounds in order to survive. Like anything sourced outside of ourselves, too much of a good thing can yield potentially harmful results.

Vitamin B 12 has extensive health benefits. Most notably, it:

• assists in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose which fights fatigue and increases energy production
• regulates the nervous system, which reduces stress and depression
• promotes a healthy digestive system and protects against heart disease
• aids in cell reproduction and the promotion of healthy skin, hair and nails
• protects against cancers

Step into the skin care aisle of any beauty supply or drugstore and it’s obvious that topical acne treatments rule in terms of what’s popular amongst consumers. Most people with acne have done extensive research to find a solution to their problem. However, some people simply aren’t aware of the value of systemic treatment options, which affect the entire body. Yet other people have reservations or fears about taking an oral treatment, preventing them from ever giving this type of treatment a chance.

As acne treatment specialists, we understand there are many concerns that people have about taking a pill for their acne. We’ve included facts about the causes and formation of acne and an in-depth look at how AcnEase® affects acne and the body. We hope this will eliminate any potential anxiety associated with taking an oral treatment for your acne.

For those that don’t experience living with acne, the problems acne-sufferers face may seem minor and cosmetic. Because there is no proven cure for acne, people have been left to treat only the symptoms. Along the way, many myths and false beliefs have been developed, from the highly debated to the downright comedic. Here are just a few...have a look and see if any sound familiar to you!

1. “Just pop it so it goes away!”

   At the sight of a breakout, many people get the initial urge to get rid of blemishes and move on. While popping a pimple may provide some immediate gratification, the lasting effects can be far more damaging. When you pop, the skin is torn open which creates an even larger opportunity for harmful bacteria to enter and often results in more blemishes, not to mention scarring. It’s always best to let breakouts run their natural course, and most will disappear in approximately 3-7 days.

Often times when we have acne, we’ll do anything to find (and try) products that will make it go away, quickly and easily. At first, we usually don’t consider some of the contributing factors that can make it worse. We actually spend more time trying different products in hopes that something works, and less time on analyzing how our daily habits could be affecting our skin.

Daily habits are so routine that we do them without notice sometimes. Habits can be tough to change but with practice, research shows that adjusting them can have a MAJOR impact on decreasing acne breakouts.

So let’s get right into it!

The Back to School and Fall season can be very stressful and busy, especially after the lazy days of summer. Although it can be an exciting time of year too, it can also wreak havoc on your immune system and your skin. Germs are everywhere, especially in the school environment and it’s difficult to stay away from them. By incorporating high-antioxidant foods like the MAQUI BERRY into your diet, your chances of keeping germs and illness at bay and obtaining clear, healthy skin improve significantly. And the best part is, it’s easy to do!

If you’re like most people, you are probably unfamiliar with this newly popularized super berry. The maqui berry, pronounced MAH-key, grows prolifically in certain parts of South America and is renowned for having the highest levels of antioxidants ever tested, to date. Let’s look into this amazing super berry, the benefits for you and your skin and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine.

While there are many vitamins that are beneficial to your skin’s health, vitamin D stands out among them as your ally in fighting acne. Vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin”, and there are several reasons why it should be incorporated into your daily skincare regimen.

Vitamin D can help regulate your body’s insulin response, which decreases hormonal acne, relieves inflammation, increases antioxidant production and strengthens your immune system. All of these factors contribute to healthy skin. In addition, vitamin D is recognized for improving your mood and decreasing depression. This may assist in managing stress levels and therefore lower amounts of cortisol, a hormone, which leads to acne.

Chances are, when you consider having a cocktail or other alcoholic drink, the last thing on your mind is your skin. If you’re like most people, you are having a good time, enjoying the moment, spending time with friends and family, or savoring a delicious meal. What we’re about to tell you isn’t intended to squash your mood, but to help you weigh the consequences that indulging in alcohol may have on your health, appearance and acne-prone skin.

Even though acne isn’t caused by alcohol, there is an abundance of scientific data that proves that alcohol adversely affects your skin and other organs. Let’s take a look at the impact of alcohol on your skin, how it can exacerbate your acne and how to prevent any damage to your skin…or at least moderate the effects without becoming totally abstinent!

It is beautiful, decorative and very tasty...but can pineapple really help with acne breakouts, minimize acne scars and heal bruising left by larger acne cysts? Lets explore this amazing fruit and its many healing qualities.

Pineapple acts as an exfoliating agent and unclogs acne pores. Exfoliating naturally speeds up the production of new cells and this is also the same process that rejuvenates the skin. The enzymes found in pineapple fight damage from free radicals and also cleanse the skin by gradually dissolving the whiteheads, blackheads and dead cells on the skins surface. This also unclogs the skin and prevents buildup that invites bacteria, which begins the acne cascade.

If you have acne-prone skin, it’s vital that you avoid products that contain comedogenic ingredients. Comedogenic ingredients clog pores, it’s as simple and as complex as that! Skin oil, known as sebum, is produced by the sebaceous glands to keep our skin moist, but it also can get mixed with a number of “skin debris” such as dead skin cells, make-up, dirt and different ingredients of skincare products. When skin oil is produced in excess, the mix of sebum, dead skin cells and all other “ingredients” become too much to be naturally disposed by the pores and they get clogged.

When a pore becomes clogged, the sebaceous glands still produce oil but there is no way to remove the excess oil and dead skin cells. This can happen by internal buildup and/or be exasperated by external factors such as makeup or skincare products. There are specific ingredients that are more likely to clog pores and these are labeled as comedogenic. It is especially important for someone with acne-prone skin to avoid these ingredients.

Do you have whiteheads or blackheads? You may not think about it but - yes, this means you HAVE acne.

The first warning sign that indicates you may succumb to acne is actually oily skin. This condition results from over production of sebum (skin oil) by your sebaceous glands. As skin oil is necessary for heathy skin, too much of it may clog your pores (together with dead skin cells, dirt, and other “debris”), and actually become a first step in the “acne cascade”. This first step is marked by the occurrence of comedones also commonly known as or whiteheads or blackheads. When clogged pores became inflamed due to the presence of bacteria, the result is a formation of pimples or even cysts.

Buttne (butt acne) tends to be a hush-hush topic. However, it’s a real problem that acne sufferers must deal with, and without a conversation, it may never be treated correctly! Below, we take a look at how to prevent butt pimples and cysts.

They may be all the rage, but yoga pants can spell trouble if you’re trying to avoid buttne. One of the main problems with these comfy bottoms is their fit—they’re simply too tight. As your skin creates new cells, the old ones are, ideally, sloughing off. However, in yoga pants, this doesn’t occur. Instead, your dead cells are forced to stay on the surface of your skin, where they clog your pores and set the stage for a breakout all over your posterior. In addition, many yoga pants are made of material that fosters sweat rather than promoting adequate ventilation. Sweat will increase the incidence of dead skin cells and any other debris or dirt that “packs” the pores.

Who wants to deal with pressure or stress? I bet no one is raising his or her hand right now. We’re all subject to it at higher or lower degree at different times in our lives. Whatever the reason is – job, family, kids, money, health or personal concerns - unfortunately; this can take a toll on you physically—including your skin!

Here’s a look at the science behind stress and what it means for your acne. Additionally, we’ll take a look at physical pressure and the damage it can do to your skin as well, which is something many people tend to overlook in discussions like these.

Whether you want to go shirtless on the beach or want to wear a backless dress for a night out, bacne (back acne) can seriously put a damper on your confidence level. What’s worse, once it begins, it can be difficult to get your breakouts under control—bacne is one of the most stubborn types of acne!

If you’ve struggled with breakouts on your back for a short or long time, this guide will walk you through the breaking the cycle of this tricky condition. We’ll help you regain your confidence and provide you with some safe and effective tips that will put you on the path to becoming back acne-free TODAY.

As there are many "fake" diets and myths about how to stay slim and trim, the same applies to the relationship between food and acne. These days, food is not just a source of nutrition but also a source of comfort, a means to socialize, a status symbol, and the subject of vigorous and lengthy discussions, and we would like to add our own two cents to this subject from an acne standpoint.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your odds in the battle against acne, making some dietary changes might be the answer you need. We’ll examine the connection between food and breakouts, what you should consider eliminating from your diet, and what foods should be more abundant in your diet.

A good daily skincare regimen is one of the best things you can do for your skin in the fight against acne. However, finding something that works can be challenging. Here are four tips for developing a skincare regimen that will help your skin to become healthy, clear and radiant.

Regardless of the specifics of your cleansing and treatment regimen, it’s necessary that you are consistent! In order to see the results you want, make sure you follow your rou-tine both in the morning and at night. Also remember that seasonal changes and new product updates are a vital part of the normal and needed evolution of your regimen. When you change your skincare products every few days or jump on a new treatment every week, it won’t help your skin and it may actually be detrimental.

We hear this question quite often. Astringents are substances (both made by nature and by chemical synthesis) that have a special property of shrinking or constricting the tissue. Therefore, it’s no surprise that they are used in the beauty industry to shrink pores and smooth the skin.

For the same reason, many popular acne products also contain astringents. The problem begins when they contain powerful chemicals that have a tendency to “overdo” what you would expect an astringent to do. In some cases, the wrong astringent or the wrong use/application of an astringent may have an adverse impact on your skin’s health. Some potentially harmful ingredients found in astringents include salicylic acid, peroxide and glycolic acid.

June is acne awareness month, and it's important to celebrate those acne sufferers who have made significant strides in their fight with breakouts. However, there are still many out there who struggle to keep their acne under control. This article is dedicated to them!

If this sounds like your experience, please remember that you are not alone-there are many people out there who have put a significant amount of effort and perseverance towards beating acne for good. While everyone's situation is a little bit different, there are some common reasons why you're not seeing the results you want. Below, we take a look at three factors that may be holding you back in your fight against acne.

For anyone who's dealt with breakouts on the neck, back, arms, or chest, you know that body acne is much more difficult to get rid of than pimples or blackheads on the face. Even with proper treatment, it can be stubborn and hard to control. The reason behind the fact that body acne is more difficult to treat is that there are more hair follicles and more pores to be clogged on the back. A proper hygiene and skincare routine is also less freque for the body. These types of breakouts can have a major impact on your self esteem, especially during the summer months when swimsuits and other light clothing make body acne more visible.

If you've struggled with acne for years, it may seem like you'll never have the clear complexion you want. However, if you're smart and take the right steps, this couldn't be further from the truth! Keeping your skin healthy and acne-free requires a holistic approach-it's an issue that must be addressed from multiple angles, from both the inside and outside.

We've developed a three-pronged approach for treating your skin right that will have youcelebrating your radiant complexion in no time. In order to achieve the acne-free look you're wishing for, you need to address the underlying causes of your skin problems, learn how diet can affect acne, and find a cleansing routine that works for you.

Summer is a fun time for a lot of reasons -barbecues, vacations, beach time and plenty of time outdoors. However, summer is not always the easiest on your skin, and if you're dealing with acne problems, this time of year presents some challenges. Thankfully, all is not lost - you don't have to stay cooped up indoors to save your skin! We've compiled this guide of helpful tips to help you and every women like you enjoy a fun, acne-free summer.

Rinse off after enjoying the pool. This may sound counterintuitive at first - if you've just spent time in the water, what's the point of rinsing off? However, your typical pool is filled with much more than just water, and common pool chemicals like chlorine, which can dry and sensitize your skin while possible left over bacteria may cause some inflammation in already irritated spots such as pimples or cysts. So rinse it off to keep it off (breakouts that is!).

Summer is almost here, and for guys that typically means they can spend more time outdoors. From cookouts, to camping trips, it seems like there's always a good excuse to get out of the house (or man cave) this time of year.

Unfortunately, all this extra time outdoors can be damaging to your skin's health and may even lead to breakouts that are worse than usual. No fears though-you're in luck! We've compiled a guide just for men to help you stay acne free. Here are our best tips for healthy, clear skin that won't have you missing out on any summer fun.

Acne is something no adult wants to deal with. For reasons that are still being researched, people are struggling with acne well into there 40's and beyond. Acne can take a toll on us emotionally and physically, affecting so many different areas of our lives. Because of this, some people are desperate for any product or any information that can help them eliminate the problem quickly.

The difficulty with this approach is that there is a disappointing amount of myths and misinformation about the subject available online. AcnEase users come to us with a multitude of questions about these myths, so in the spirit of setting the record straight, here is a look at five adult acne myths that don't withstand scrutiny.

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

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

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

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

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

The Skincare Benefits of Sex

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Potential Benefits of Essential Oils for Acne Treatment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

QUIZ TIME!

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

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

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

Can I stop taking AcnEase cold-turkey?

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

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

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

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

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

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

We deliver the facts, and people are noticing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Drug-Free Acne Skincare Routine & Treatment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Make it from scratch

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

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

1. What goes into your juicer makes a difference

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

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

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

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

3-Day Easy & Healthy Cleansing:

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

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

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

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

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

1. The main dish

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

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

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

Clean and exfoliate naturally

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

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

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

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

What does "natural" even mean?

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

1. Do Not Go to Sleep With Makeup

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

2. Do Not Exercise With Makeup

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

An educated consumer is a smart consumer!

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

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

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

5 Rules for Cleaning Your Acne-Prone Skin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, especially large and chronic cysts or pimples and blackheads that we squeeze or pop, may damage skin tissue permanently, forming acne scars. The only real way to make sure that you do not get acne scars is to PREVENT acne from forming and to break the acne cycle.

There is however a condition that may follow acne, but is NOT permanent, that sometimes is confused with acne scars; this condition is known as Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).

What is PIH?

PIH is the medical term for skin discoloration resulting from an inflammatory injury to the skin tissue. It is the skin's natural response to inflammation. PIH is a flat area of discoloration on the skin ranging from pink to red, purple, brown or black, depending on your skin tone and depth of the discoloration.

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?

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).

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.     

I would like to thank 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. 

We understand that skin problems effect almost everyone growing up, but the fact that some of us experience acne in our mid-to-late 20's, 30's, 40's and even 50's or perhaps never fully outgrow acne breakouts, is hard to accept. It is estimated that over 30% of women and more than 20% of men ages 20 to 60 (and beyond) are troubled by acne. Over 60 million people suffer from acne in the USA alone, and another 70 million experience acne related breakouts in Canada and Europe.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. This cancer is also considered one of the most preventable cancers, so heed the advice on how to protect yourself!

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.