Fighting Acne At Its Root Cause | At Home Treatments

Posted on: 28 June 2016

Acne affects tens of millions of Americans on an annual basis, and its status as the most common skin disease makes it a well-known, but hated, condition. Despite its high rate of incidence, there are still many myths and half-truths about acne and its elimination. This can interfere with people's understanding of how to prevent and treat acne, and much money is wasted on remedies that are are not able to help. Below is a brief guide to several things you can do to prevent acne as well as information on how to treat acne:

What is the root cause of acne?

You may have heard that acne is caused by the foods you eat, and while there is some truth to that, the cause that lies at the root of acne outbreaks is the improper oxidation of sebum. Sebum is the natural oil produced by your skin, but if it is damaged in a process known as oxidation, it will attack the skin pores. This damaged sebum will then cause skin cells to slough off, whereupon these dead cells will form "chunks" and clog the pores along with excess sebum. This sebum trap will ultimately lead to further inflammation and eventual bacterial growth. If prevention and treatment efforts are focused on the known factors that cause oxidation, then healing can be quick and effective.

What you can do to prevent acne

Acne can be prevented, even in persons with acne-prone skin, by understanding a few established practices that can work well. Below are several things you can do to help prevent acne from forming:

  • Drink green tea - One of the most powerful substances that fights against acne is green tea. This tea contains powerful antioxidants, which help lessen the amount of cellular inflammation that can occur as a precursor to visible, swollen acne.

  • Apply topical antioxidants - It is not only advisable to drink antioxidants but to also use them on your acne-prone skin. These antioxidants will inhibit the natural process of sebum oxidation by providing a ready supply of inflammation fighters. One of the best substances you can use as a topical antioxidant is Vitamin B3, so be sure that any compounds you apply to your face include it.

  • Lower the consumption of carbohydrates - Another factor that has been demonstrated to contribute to acne is the amount of carbohydrate consumption. Carbohydrates require the human body to produce insulin to help manage the blood sugar level. Unfortunately, insulin is an oxidizing agent and can wreak havoc with acne-prone or acne-bearing teenagers. By simply reducing the amount of carbohydrates you need, your efforts will also lessen the insulin amount in your bloodstream.

  • Keep skin exfoliated and moisturized - Acne inflammation results because the pathways between the inside of the skin to the outside are no longer able to carry away waste materials. Skin exfoliants are able to safely strip away pore-clogging materials and help alleviate the clogs that can make moving impossible. In addition to exfoliants, the application of moisturizers can also work by maintaining a thin, protective layer that prevents skin damage.

What you can do to heal acne

There are times that prevention efforts are unsuccessful, particularly for individuals with strong genetic factors at work. However, the good news is that you can also use these same techniques to combat acne flare-ups, and there are other antioxidant strategies that can help, too. Here are a few of these:

  • Selenium supplements - Selenium is an antioxidant and is available over-the-counter from pharmacies in the dietary supplements section. It can contribute a significant amount of antioxidants to the skin and prevent destruction of the cells, as a result.

  • Acne healing masks - A healing mask, which is a poultice comprised of several ingredients, can be tremendously helpful. There are multiple recipes available online, but the most effective ones use proven antioxidants as ingredients. Be cautious when applying healing masks, and avoid using harsh chemicals such as acetic acid that can burn your skin.

Talk to a dermatologist for more info.

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