Acne is basically another word for clogged pore. While skin sheds its cells, not all of the dead skin cells flake away. Sometimes they get stuck on the skin when they mix with your skin’s oils.
An estimated 80 percent of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point.
- If you already have some trouble with acne, use a product that contains benzoyl peroxide at night to help kill the bacteria that has already gotten itself trapped in your pores.
- There is no known way to prevent the development of acne.
- Women’s acne problems fluctuate due to monthly hormone surges which cause an increase in oil production.
- If you have oily skin and/or acne, you should wash your face no more than two times a day.
- Over-washing can dry out the skin, prompting the oil glands to work harder.
- Acne is not caused by diet. No scientific connection has been found between diet and acne.
- Contrary to popular belief acne is not caused by dirt.
- Zinc plays a large role in the skin. High levels of zinc can benefit acne sufferers tremendously.
- Acne can be hereditary. If your parents had acne, you may be more prone to it.
- Frequent washing of the acne-affected skin does not help. Instead, it adversely affects acne.
- More than 40 percent of all teens develop cases of acne severe enough to warrant medical treatment.
- There is no evidence that chocolate cause acne. But you should avoid overindulging in chocolate and oily foods because they are typically high in fat and don't provide much nutrition.
A dermatologist can also recommend a more high-tech option to prescription cleansers and creams, such as light treatments that kill surface bacteria for months
If you don’t have the time to visit the dermatologist, try using a weekly mud mask that contains the ingredient Sulfur which can help calm inflamed and broken out skin.