Skin Care News

Help with Pimples and Blemishes

Posted on November 10, 2009 with 10 Comments

It might be the change in weather, time of year or an unusual number of sun spots (?!), but we have received an unusual amount of calls/emails and requests for information regarding getting rid of pimples and blemishes – especially from teens and their parents.

Teens, Pimples & Blemishes

It’s probably pretty widely known that changes in hormones, especially among young adults as they go through puberty, is a leading and primary causes of pimples and blemishes. Active hormones excite sebacous glands in pores that lead to an increase in oil production in the skin – especially around the “T zone” across the forhead, down the nose and on the chin.

Increase in oils on the facial tissue can have several affects:

• Increase pore size
• Cause inflammation and irritation
• Trap dirt, makeup and bacteria
• Encourage development of pimples

With that said, there is little you can do about acne caused by heredity and genetics, however, there is hope. Most of the symptoms – beakouts, oiliness, irritated or tender skin and infection can be effectively treated. So, at the worse case scenario, you can help eliminate pimples buy regulating the source of infection by reducing oil on the skin.

So, how do you do that?

We recommend using acne products that contain Zinc. An acne face wash, acne tone, or even a mask (masque) with Zinc or Zinc PCA can regulate and control sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands. Most are non-alcohol that keeps from drying-out the skin, and all are often formulated with other ingredients that can help as well, such as Jojoba Oil, Emu Oil, Panthenol, Shea Butter, etc.

As a note to the above comment: Most acne treatments do contain alcohol or alpha hydroxy. While on the surface these are not necessarily bad for your skin, they can dry-out the facial tissue that can lead to drying, craking and inflammation. Emu oil can treat acne by penetrating deep into the skin, carrying with it active ingredients that flush out toxins and impurities.

Treat the Symptoms – Leave Heredity Alone

All of these help “treat” the skin as well as to clear-up the acne and out breaks of blemishes. And as part of an acne treatment regimen that works, you can begin the process by using a light abrasive microdermabrasion cream. These work well for removing used and worn skin cells from the surface of the skin. This not only deep cleans impurities from the pores, but helps reduce pore size – reducing the opportunity for fungus, bacteria, and infection to become trapped and propogate.

As a teen and young adult, dealing with pimples and blemishes is not a pleasant thing. Most often the stress of middle or high school and going through puberty is enough. Using a proven method for dealing with acne – even if only treating the symptoms – can help get rid of acne temporarily or permanently.

An Acne Face Wash that Works??

Posted on April 21, 2009 with No Comments

I’m the proud father of a 15 year old girl and 13 year old boy – a 7 year old, too, but that’s another story. So…as you can imagine acne has become quite an issue in our house.

My son doesn’t think it’s that big of a deal, and my wife and I spend a lot (a lot) of time trying to keep his hands off his face. He’s chronically scratching, picking and popping…generally making the problem worse. My daughter on the other hand thinks the world has come to an end. Being in High School she would prefer to wear a sheet over her head some days and panics at periodic bad outbreaks – especially when they’re on her forehead.

Both have lobbied for the best acne products they see online or on TV. While we’ve tried most, results have been “bla” at best. My daughter has resorted to all types of make-up to cover up the blemishes, but – as I told her – that will only make the matter worse.

Hmmmm…well let’s see here. I am the managing partner of a large skin care manufacturing firm and we make a whole line of acne products. Will they use ours?? NO! “Your’s are not on TV!”…”our favorite Disney stars don’t use them”…”you make them – not a big company”?? The responses have gone on for over a year. Interestingly, my neighbor has the same problem. Signing-up for a monthly, auto-bill delivery of ProActiv is no problem, but the seem embarassed to try the few well-sold products we make.

Well, the story changed a few months ago. Finally I pulled my wife to the said and said “I need a little help here. If you support me (and pitch the products) maybe the will try them.” She did and reluctantly I got both started on an Acne Face Wash. Days went by and no change. Hmmm…I’m getting worried -we sell a lot of these (a lot) and I’m starting to think I’ve been selling snake oil. Ha, but alas, the next week blemishes and pimples started clearing-up. The next week, their complexion was smooth with only a small, normal pimple or two.

I wanted to blog this not as a pitch, but to show that some products actually work. And with teens in the house, a little encouragement, consistency and force can go a long way.

With that said, I’m writing about acne and several products for general daily care, spot treatment, and options for severe breakouts in a post in the next couple of weeks. But, it goes without saying simply keeping your face clean with a wash or cleanser designed to fight acne may be all you and your kids need. Thx.