Acne, Pimples, Zit , Oh No! not again!

Acne can hit you at the worst time, causing breakouts without regard to age or gender. Most of those that suffers from acne, though, are between 12 and 24. Just about 80% of people who are in this age group get some acne and of those 26% will get permanent scarring that will range from minimal to noticeable at a glance.

Those over 24, though, can still suffer from the effects of acne. The American Dermatologist Association reports that 20% of all adults have active acne. This translates to the fact that 60 million American teens through adults have active acne skin lesions and 20 million of those have acne that is extensive enough to cause scars. Surprisingly, only about 10% of those affected with acne will try to get treatment, but this is due, in part, to the way people look down on those with acne.

There is hope, though, for acne sufferers. Once you know what causes acne, the things that help and the things that don't help and how to prevent your acne, you can make the necessary changes to get skin that is clear and glowing.

What Causes Acne?

While acne is not contagious, there are some known factors that do increase your chances of getting acne skin lesions. Generally, acne is caused when the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. Other causes can include:

• An inherited tendency towards acne or genetics
• Hormones and hormone imbalances
• Some illnesses
• Over washing the skin
• Cosmetics that are oil based
• Some prescribed medications
• Stress and anxiety
• Poor cleansing of the skin
• Physical irritation

Don't Waste your Time (or Money)

While some acne remedies work, many will not. When selecting an over the counter remedy, be wary. Many of the acne products on the shelves today have harsh components that can dry out your skin, and could even make your acne worse. Choose your acne products carefully and seek out products that are easy on your skin.

What Really Works

Four things are guaranteed to help acne. Together they pack a powerful punch to make acne a thing of the past.

• Healthy diet
• Water
• Proper cleansing
• Adequate sleep

To treat acne you currently are suffering from, use natural products such as tea tree oil which has strong antiseptic properties and is really effective. Witch hazel is a helpful skin toner and it can give you a healthy glow. Mint is a good spot treatment, especially for cystic acne. It will cool and sooth the skin and kill bacteria in the process.

A good cleansing mask that you can make in a couple of minutes is an egg white and corn starch mask. Make a paste with the egg white and corn starch. Apply it to clean skin and allow it to dry. Remove with a wet washcloth and then rinse. You will find yourself with great skin.

An Ounce of Prevention

Prevention is an easy way to avoid acne. The best way to prevent acne is to take good care of yourself. A simple, diet without much fat that includes a good variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains will help keep your skin free of zits. Dark green leafy vegetables, like spinach, are great acne fighters. You should also drink plenty of fresh water to keep your body hydrated. Getting enough sleep is another easy beauty tool. Physicians recommend approximately seven hours of sleep a night.

Finally, proper cleansing of your skin is necessary for keeping it clear. You should cleanse your skin every day. If you wear cosmetic makeup, take it off each night before retiring for the night. When washing your skin, use a cleanser that is gentle and be sure that the water is not too hot. Don't scrub or over cleanse because that can make your acne worse. Rinse your skin well and blot dry with a clean towel. When you make an effort to prevent acne, you won't have to worry about it.