Facing Up to Acne
This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am and is filed under Health Concerns, Alternative Health Care, Health and Nutrition ArticlesApproximately 80 to 95 percent of the entire population suffers from acne during adolescence. And for 12 percent of Americans, acne will persist into adulthood. But despite its ubiquity, both the origin of and cure for this dreaded disorder remain elusive. Acne vulgaris has weathered a constant barrage of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and herbal preparations and seems poised to haunt another generation of victims.
Today’s acne sufferers are eager for a quick solution. In fact, many studies show that individuals with acne usually treat themselves with topical OTC medicines at the first signs of breakout. Herein lies the problem. With so many different medications available, how do you know what will work?
If you’ve suffered from chronic acne or even the occasional breakout, you know that no one guide or treatment will work for everyone. Fighting the environmental and genetic factors that cause acne often proves to be an uphill battle. Effective acne treatment requires a combinational approach—topical medications mixed with alternative therapies such as vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds. The information that follows is meant to end the confusion and uncertainty acne sufferers may face when shopping for a solution.
The following sections will provide you a list of agents deemed “highly successful” in study at getting rid of acne lesions (i.e., pustules, comedomes, cysts, and nodules) and preventing recurrent outbreaks.
Topical OTC Treatments
| Type | Action |
|---|---|
| Alpha hydroxy acid | Works to dry up both whiteheads and blackheads by normalizing oil production. Also causes the upper layer of the skin to peel. |
| Azelaic acid | Kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. |
| Benzoyl peroxide | Helpful for killing the bacteria (P. acnes) that is known to cause acne infection. |
| Niacinamide (nicotinamide) | Eliminates acne-causing microorganisms; reduces amount of sebum on skin. |
| Oligopeptide-10 | A combination of salicylic acid and 15 naturally occurring amino acids; it may eliminate bacteria and combat blemishes. |
| Retinoids | Increase natural turnover rate of skin, resulting in fewer dead skin cells, and subsequently, fewer clogged pores. |
| Salicylic acid | Dramatically slows the shedding of skin, thus preventing clogging of pores. |
| Sulfur | Controls oil production, breaks down whiteheads and blackheads, and has some antifungal and antibacterial properties. |
| Tea tree oil | A natural and powerful antibacterial agent, may be stronger and less irritating than benzoyl peroxide and kill bacteria resistant to treatment with oral antibiotics. |
Vitamins, Minerals, and Other Nutritional Therapies
| Natural Agent | Action |
|---|---|
| Vitamins A and E | A decline in plasma (blood) levels of both vitamins A and E has been shown in clinical study to provoke acne and increase its severity. |
| Essential fatty acids (EFAs) | These are specifically the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA; both work to reduce skin inflammation. |
| Lipoic acid | Taken orally or topically, lipoic acid may work to digest damaged collagen and erase scars. |
| Zinc | Zinc reduces inflammation; kills the main bacteria associated with acne; produces changes in the skin environment that make it more resistant to certain acne-causing bacteria. |
| Vitamin C, dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), protein, and antioxidants | Each works to protect skin cells (mitigate free radical damage) and repair damaged tissue. |
| Natural fruit and herbal preparations | According to studies, German chamomile, licorice root, burdock root, witch hazel, ginseng, green tea, and cat’s claw have all been shown to have varying degrees of effectiveness. |
