Here is an interesting post that is worth repeating…

9 Common Misconceptions About Acne - http://www.bestsyndication.com/?q=20080703_acne_prevention_tips.htm

1. Dirt causes acne
   No. Keeping your skin clean is not about removing dirt, its about cleaning out shedding skin and oil.
2. Direct acne treatment works
   No. Well its best to treat acne well before it has erupted in the form of pimples.
3. Acne only affect teenagers
   No. Adult acne is very real, teenagers get acne mainly due to the hormonal changes going on.
4. Oily food causes acne
   No. Same goes for chocolate.
5. Make up causes acne
   This ones a maybe as they can block the pores. So buy cosmetics that are Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and water-based.
6. Sweating prevents acne
   No.
7. Sunshine can clear up acne
   A little can help, too much can do harm.
8. Facial Scrubs help to get rid of acne
   No. Scrubbing can cause infections and alcohol based products can stimulate oil production. Small-grained scrubs and alcohol-free toners are advisable.
9. Acne can be cured
   No. It can however be treated and a good acne regime can prevent its severity.

Diet and Acne - For years we have heard how diet is not a major cause of acne right?

Personally I never rule anything out and try to be in touch with new things to add to an acne prevention regime. So I was intrigued by this news story from the Herald Sun:

Food for thought

Over the past 30 to 40 years many doctors have dismissed the idea that diet is a cause of acne. But recent research indicates that what you eat impacts on your skin.

Professor Neil Mann, professor of human nutrition at RMIT University, studied the link between diet and acne after chatting with an anthropologist colleague who noted primitive societies with a typical hunter/gatherer diet had no incidences of acne.

They didn’t even have a name for it. Sticking to a low-GI diet of whole, minimally processed foods, such as fruit and vegetables, lean meat and a small amount of whole, unprocessed grains, could help clear the skin.

“We know there are many metabolic processes going on in the body in regards to what we eat, so we were sceptical about claims that diet has no relation to acne,” Professor Mann says.

A basic culprit is high insulin levels, Professor Mann says. “High levels of refined carbohydrates elevate the levels of insulin,” he says.

“High insulin levels cause an overproduction of sebum and that helps to block the pore. High insulin levels also cause a certain type of androgen, DHEAS protein, to rise, which, in turn, causes the sebum levels to rise.” HeraldSun.com.au (July 6th, 2008 - Australian Newspaper)

The story goes on to discuss many things about adult acne, but I particularly perked my ears up when I saw that experts are now supporting the idea that, sticking to a low GI diet can help with acne, and it certainly cant help!

Just came across a great blog post that really nails the secret to curing your acne problem.

There are no products to buy and the article dispels a few myths, the post goes into detail on the following points:

• Acne cure #01
  Don’t scrub or rub your pimples
• Acne cure #02
  Don’t pop pimples
• Acne cure #03
  Breathe deeply when stressed
• Acne cure #04
  Use a honey mask once a week
• Acne cure #05
  Use mild cleansers
• Acne cure #06
  Be patient and stick to your regime
• Acne cure #07
  Always use a 15+ sunscreen
• Acne cure #08
  Use medication dosages as directed
• Acne cure #09
  Use only noncomedogenic products
• Acne cure #10
  Avoid headbands and hats can aggravate your acne
• Acne cure #11
  Avoid touching your face with oily and/or dirty hands
• Acne cure #12
  Wash your face twice a day with sulfur-based soap
• Acne cure #13
  Keep your oily hair short
• Acne cure #14
  Eat fruits and vegetables daily
• Acne cure #15
  Drink 8 cups of water a day
• Acne cure #16
  Change your pillow case daily
• Acne cure #17
  Exercise regularly
• Acne cure #18
  Avoid polluted, greasy environments and tight irritating clothing

You can read the full article at davelessio.blogvis.com

“Teen acne is basically …hormonal which is a normal part of puberty. It is claimed that 8 out of 10 teens get acne at some point.

There are different types of breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts. They are caused when the sebaceous glands (oil glands) get clogged with sebum, which is the oil that lubricates your hair and skin. With the hormonal changes that take place during puberty the amount of sebum produced is sometimes more than you should have. Often the pores become clogged with the sebum and dead skin which cause the outbreak. Bacteria can get trapped inside the pores and multiply which causes the swelling and redness.” cheapacnecleanser.com

Select a treatment for teen acne based on the type of acne.

Whitehead and blackhead pimples.

Teens with acne identifiable by the presence of whiteheads or blackheads can apply retinoid topical medications directly to the skin, these come in the form of a creams, gels or lotions. Among other benificial things, retinoid medications slow down keratin growth a major cause of teen acne.

Teens with Acne and Oily Skin

Use a retinoid gel which will also dry out your skin.

Teens with Acne and Dry Skin

Use a cream or lotion that will moisturizing your skin.

Alternatives to retinoid topical medications.

Try products and treatments containing Salicylic or Glycolic acid.

Acne with inflammation, redness and soreness.

Acne products containing Benzoyl Peroxide works as an antibiotic and also prevents the formation of pimples.

Acne with severe inflammation and pain.

Teenagers with these acne symptoms are generally directed to oral antibiotics like tetracycline and erythromycin. Acbe Products containing isotretinoin like Roaccutane and Accutane may also help. These antibiotic acne treatments are fast and effective in stopping the bacteria growth causing acne. Isotretinoin has the added affect of slowing the secretion of sebum and the overproduction of keratin, a combination of which leads to the formation of pimples.

Green Tea is a cure-all for many things and acne just happens to be one of them.

“There are many acne skin care products on the market that now contain green tea. You can also find it in pill form, or can do as I do; make a pot of green tea everyday, pour it in a water bottle, and sip it as you would water.” AcneNaturalCures.com

How to use Green Tea to treat Acne?

“Green tea contains high levels of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, which work to neutralize free radicals and toxins that damage cellular tissue. Polyphenols are considered as the most effective and powerful of all antioxidants. Studies have demonstrated that green tea has significant antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.” AcneTreatment2020.com

Drink 2 cups a day

You can buy Green Tea from the super market but they really just have the low grade tea bag stuff. What you need for acne is a Green Tea that is known for its acne treatment properties. I recommend Buying Green Tea Online from a site that will also show you how to best prepare it.

Apply a Green Tea Facial

AcneTreatment2020.com has a fantastic Green Tea & Acne page with a list of ways to apply Green Tea to your face including some actual home remedies and recipes. I followed the Green Tea Natural Facial Mask on tried it on my teenage son (his acne a more sever than my ‘now occasional’ pimples because I am using AcneZine) and it worked great.

Buy an Acne Product with green Tea in it.

There are more and more Green Tea Products for acne on the market each day.
I have listed a few trusted products that you securely buy online:

• Topix Solvere Acne Clearing Kit
  

  	Four-step acne clearing solution. Kit includes; Acne Clearing Cleanser, Acne Clearing Toner, Acne Clearing Gel and Fortified Moisturizer. Formulated with green tea extract.
  	CUSTOMER REVIEW: “I am 53 and still deal with acne. This was recommended by my dermatologist and within 1 week I am about 50% clearer.”

• Menscience Acne Spot Repair
  

  	A prescription-grade acne treatment that rapidly eliminates acne breakouts and helps repair blemished skin. Contains the highest concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) and soothing, repairing ingredients like Green Tea, Allantoin, Urea and Vitamin E.
  	CUSTOMER REVIEW: “I know benzyl peroxide is great for getting rid of zits but this worked even better than i expected.”

• Neova Calming Green Tea Serum by ProCyte
  

  	Two powerful forms of Green Tea, rich in antioxidants, are blended with calming Licorice Root to visibly relieve signs of irritation and sensitivity. Ideal for use for acne-prone skin where redness is common.
  	CUSTOMER REVIEW: “This is my favorite product. I have roseaca and acne and my skin is beat red without this product.”

• Sundari Neem & Green Tea Cleansing Mask
  

  	This acne skin product purifies congested acne prone skin. Neem Extract, a powerful healer, provides deep cleansing while normalizing skin tone. Green Tea, a potent anti-oxidant, detoxifies and protects, restoring health and clarity.
  	CUSTOMER REVIEW: This mask, even on my 30 something skin, dries up pimples, unclogs pores, but does not take the moisture out of your skin.”

• Green Tea Wash