An explanation on my decision not to continue producing the old moisturizer, as well as tips to get the New Moisturizer to become your new bestie:
Ingredient report: Niacinamide
June 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Recently an Acne.org member wrote to me asking if I could look into niacinamide, an ingredient which may be beneficial for acne prone skin and which is included in some over-the-counter products, especially moisturizers due to its water loss prevention properties. Knowing that over-treatment of the skin can lead to irritation and the perpetuation of acne, he asked if I could explain whether niacinamide could potentially interfere with the effectiveness of the Regimen.
What is it: Niacinamide (a.k.a. Nicotinamide or Nicotinic Acid Amide) is a close chemical compound to Vitamin B3 (niacin) which can be taken orally or applied topically. Based on the published research I have uncovered, this ingredient may be a welcome addition to a skin care product ingredient deck and will most likely not prove to be an unwelcome variable.
Evidence: For the purposes of this post, I am speaking of topically applied niacinamide. Topical niacinamide may have measurable anti-inflammatory, anti-irritation, and skin turnover properties. In one study testing topically applied 4% niacinamide (brand name Nicomide), it was shown to reduce acne symptoms as much as 1% clindamycin, a widely prescribed topical antibiotic. Keep in mind that clindamycin produces unimpressive results, even if significant over placebo. In another study, in order to test for niacinamide’s effect on skin oil production, researchers applied 2% niacinamide to Japanese and Caucasian subjects. At least some of the Japanese subjects experienced somewhat reduced skin oil production.
Mixing it with other meds: Normally, it is wise to keep the amount of active ingredients one uses to a minimum to prevent over-treatment of the skin, and resulting irritation. However, since the skin reacts very minimally to niacinamide and it tends to cause so few side effects, it may prove a welcome passenger alongside other ingredients.
Beware of “label claim”: It is a general practice in the cosmetics industry to include ingredients in products at tiny amounts for what is referred to as “label claim.” Manufacturers will very often add one or two drops of an ingredient into huge hundred gallon batches so they can write on their label that the desired ingredient is in the product. If you see niacinamide in a product, check its placement within the product’s ingredient list. As an example, it is the fourth ingredient in Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer – Normal. The higher an ingredient is listed, the more of that ingredient is included, so its fourth place showing is promising. If you see it listed toward the end of an ingredient list, chances are it may be in the product only for label claim.
A final note: In my years of researching promising acne fighting ingredients, I have come across hundreds of ingredients which show promise in fighting acne. Studies of these ingredients are often small, and results, while scientifically significant, are often unimpressive. In other words, it is not time to lobby skin care manufacturers to be certain to include niacinamide in their products. Rather, be sure you have the basics in place–a non-overdrying cleanser, a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, and a moisturizer which does the trick of bringing the skin back into balance. When used within the Regimen, these products alone should get you 100% clear. However, if you do see niacinamide on the label, I don’t see any reason at this point to worry that you will be over-treating your skin.
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As we move forward here at Acne.org, I will keep niacinamide in mind when formulating, along with all of the other promising ingredients available to us. I’ll also keep checking research as it emerges regarding this ingredient.
Acne Tips – 3 Tips to Get Rid of Your Acne Infection Forever
June 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Are you worried about your acne infection? Are you still concerned about your facial skin? Is your flawed skin tone starting to bother you way too often? If the answer to even a single question is ‘yes’, it’s time you read this article with care.
Keep Your Face Oil Free
Blemishes are known to strike at will. Especially if you are a teenager, the chances are that you may be suffering from either blackheads or whiteheads. To be able to get rid of them, you would be required to cleanse your face with fresh water and mild soap. You simply need to remove the excess oil from your face.
Make Use Of A Face Pack
Pollution and stress play a major role in aggravating the acne infection. In order to remove the pollutants from the surface of your facial skin, you simply need to apply a face pack, preferably a fruit facial, on a weekly basis. Likewise, you can try and soothe your mind by listening to soft music.
Apply An Anti-Acne Cream
There are plenty of anti-blemish supplements available in the market today. In order to avoid the occurrence of whiteheads and blackheads, you need to try and apply an anti-blemish cream on a regular basis. These creams are readily available through an online store. Simply place an order and the cream of your choice would be delivered to your doorstep.
In order to look good and maintain a flawless skin tone, you need to try and make use of the above mentioned tips on a regular basis.
Home Remedies For Acne Scars – 11 Homemade Cures For Acne
June 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Acne is a skin disorder that occurs due to excess production of oil in the glands and hormonal changes. Acne usually leaves behind scars on the skin which cannot be removed that easily. Mild acne scars can heal without any treatment. They can be effectively treated with home remedies. Whereas scars that are deep remain for the entire life and it is always better to consult a dermatologist for deep scars. Home remedies must be constantly applied on the scars for it to disappear over a period of time.
Some of the commonly used home remedies for acne scars are:
Sandalwood Paste: Apply a mixture of sandalwood paste and rose water on the skin. Allow it to be there the whole night. Wash it only the next day. Keep on doing this each day until the scars disappears.
Honey: Apply honey on the scars.Honey has medicinal value and it makes the scars disappear. You can also include honey as a part of your diet.
Include fresh vegetables and fruits daily to reduce the scars due to acne.
Drink plenty of water as it flushes out the unwanted toxins from the body.
One of the commonly used home remedies for acne scars includes applying turmeric paste on the skin. Turmeric is also known for its medicinal value.
Ice: Applying ice on the face helps to tighten the pores. This helps in reducing the scars on the face.
You can apply lemon juice on the scars. Leave it for some time on the skin. Applying lime juice regularly will reduce the acne scars.
Egg whites are affective in treating acne scars. Apply it evenly on the scars using cotton.
Olive oil can also be used to remove acne scars. It makes the skin very smooth.
Aloe Vera can also be applied directly to the skin to remove acne scars.
Cut the tomatoes into slices and rub them on the scars. This can be done each day to lighten the scars.
Different home remedies for acne can give different outcomes depending on the nature of the skin. These home remedies are applicable only for mild scars. Home remedies for acne scars can be applied during the early stages. Consistent practice of home remedies for a period of time will gradually remove the scars.
4 Natural Treatments to Clear Acne Scars
June 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
If you have suffered the embarrassment and misery of acne you will realise that the actual acne is bad enough but the prospect of long term scaring makes matters much worse.
There are several modern treatments to clear acne scars such as laser resurfacing and dermabrasion which involve burning away and grinding away the scar tissue so that healthy skin tissue can grow in its place. Don’t get me wrong I am not advising against these treatments and if you click the link to my blog I discuss them at length there. I think is better to try out the natural and inexpensive treatments first as these may well be effective for getting rid of the acne scars
Oatmeal Cleanser
This is simply a mixture of oatmeal powder and rose water to form a paste that can then be applied to the skin. This will have the effect of removing the existing pimples and reduce any scaring. The paste should be applied on a daily basis for about fifteen minutes and then rinsed off with cold water.
Honey
In the same way as the Oatmeal Cleanse the honey is applied to the affected area and left for about 15 minutes before being washed off with cold water. Honey has natural enzymes that neutralise the acne bacteria and at the same time helps to clear acne scars as well.
Lemon Juice
The lemon juice should be applied with a pad or cotton swab and rinsed of after several minutes. This has a dual effect as the acid in the lemon juice will help to break down the upper layers of the scar tissue and the natural bleaching agents will help to remove the appearance of redness.
Aloe Vera
As you may well be aware aloe Vera has numerous health benefits including the treatment of acne scars. You need to apply the gel from inside the aloe vera leaf onto the affected area and this will sooth the skin and help to clear up acne scars and aid in the regeneration of healthy skin tissue. The gel should be applied for about an hour before being washed off.
These are natural remedies and should be fine for most people’s skin. If however you do have a reaction to any of them stop using straight away. As well as these natural treatments it is also good advice to drink five pints of water a day and eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables to keep a healthy complexion.
8 Secrets on How to Remove Acne Scars
June 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
here are several ways on removing acne scars. The appearance of acne starts during puberty when the body actively produces hormones that causes too much sebum in the skin. This skin stage may pass but it would definitely leave marks to haunt your appearance forever. Treating acne scars can be done through natural inexpensive ways and dermatological procedures that would probably cost a lot. However, acne scar treatment still depends on the mildness and severity of the scar.
Below are some of the techniques on removing acne scars naturally:
1. Hydration is the key. It has been proven that water is one of the best natural methods to remove acne scars and prevent acne breakouts. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water or more helps your skin to shed those unwanted dead skin cells.
2. A lot of people are recommending the use Vitamin E capsule for those scars. You might apply it topically to the affected area by pricking a spot in the capsule and apply the oil to the scar. Another option is to take it orally to have that cell renewal from the inside.
3. Rosehip seed oil is also an effective remedy on removing acne scars. This is an anti-ageing and anti-wrinkling agent that helps the skin to regenerate. Massage it on the scar twice a day.
4. Eating a balance diet may help in removing acne scars. The more nutritious foods you include in your meal, the faster the scar will heal. It helps in building the skin cells and gives a healthy skin glow as well.
5. Combine rose water and paste of sandal wood and apply it on the spot where the scars are. Leave it overnight then rinse with cold water the next day.
Aside from the natural ways of removing acne scars, there are also dermatological procedures that would definitely give you a much faster result. However, pregnancy and other health conditions may hinder your want to undergo these procedures. Here are some of the hi-tech methods can remove acne scars effectively.
6. Nowadays, not only certified dermatologists do a dermabrasion but facial salons as well. Dermabrasion is the removal of the top skin layer using a machine that chafes off the skin. Once the skin heals, the top layer will then have a smoother and clearer appearance.
7. Laser resurfacing is one of the most affordable anti-scar treatments available. It simply uses a high-energy light that would remove the fine scars and even prevent wrinkles.
8. You may also have a chemical peel procedure. This is just like dermabrasion. The only difference is that the top layer of the skin is peeled off using chemicals not machines. This is not a very advisable procedure for all since some people may have allergic reactions to the chemicals.
With all the available choices for treatment, you surely would not have an excuse as to why your acne scar is still obvious. It’s your choice whether you would opt for the natural way or the dermatological procedure on how to remove acne scars.
Buy products in person at our office in San Francisco
June 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Smaller and/or Larger AHA+
June 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I’ve been getting requests to make a larger size AHA+ (12-16oz.) for people using the Back/Body Regimens. Anytime we make products larger we save on materials and can charge a little less per ounce. What do you think?
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
For people using the AHA+ just for spot treatment or who just use it occasionally, a 2oz. would be less expensive. A 2oz. could also allow people who are new to alpha hydroxy acid to try it at a lower price point to decide if they like it. What do you think?
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