The questions you are asking and the way in which you are trying to help your skin is very common. The problem is that there are 5 kinds of acne and each responds to different methods to help clear it up. Obviously, the stress and potential scarring are the main reasons to combat it. The problem lies in the products you are using, like almost all you see over the counter or on television ( IE Proactive) are selling you the same ingredients that have been around in use since 1980. They are salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide. Just check your labels and you will see I am correct. To stop acne you have to know what is really at the root of it. I write extensively about this on my blog and talk about it on television. I am going to share the common myths about acne here and give you a link to a recent article on the Huffington Post that you will find useful. I recommend you get away from chemical products and use only glycerin based face wash. These drying products may kill some of the bacteria, but they also leave a layer of dried out dead skin cells that trap more oil the bacteria feeds on and block even more pores.
The acne myths are:
1. Myth - Oily skin and hormones cause acne and you need to dry up your skin to clear it up.
Truth - in fact over productive oil glands can contribute to acne but do not cause it. Oily skin is good for you and drying the skin only causes more problems with clogged pores and trapped dirt and bacteria. Hormone levels change throughout a persons life and while they can up oil production they do not cause acne.
2. Myth - What you eat has no impact on your skin.
Truth, Incredibly some dermatologist still tell patients this even though the connection between diet and hydration and the health of the skin has been proven by the medical profession. Further, studies and real life experience has shown a direct connection between the western diet high in sugar, pesticides, and processed food and acne cases where candida albican yeast infection is indicated.
3. Myth - Antibiotics and Accutane are the only way to cure acne
Truth, Antibiotics are not a strong player in the acne game anymore due to their side effects and problems with long term use. Additionally, the theory is that antibiotics target the bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes bacteria) that is responsible for the infected pore. In a majority of cases antibiotics do not clear acne having difficulty reaching the bacteria from internally to externally. Accutane is a powerful drug derived from vitamin a with a host of life altering side effects in some. It can cause birth defects and permanent liver damage. There have been many high profile lawsuits over patient reactions to this drug. Accutane does not claim to nor does it "cure" acne. It can put some severe acne cases "on hold" such as a remission of sorts. In many people the acne returns as problematic or even worse that before.
4. Myth - products like Proactive, ******, and other similar over the counter acne products are leading the new fight against acne and acne cases are on the decrease.
Truth, these types of products, both prepackaged and over the counter, create more problems for acne suffers and acne is actually in truth INCREASING with a 20% increase in reported cases world wide in the past 3 years. Acne is now a very common chronic problem for teens and adults. Adult onset acne has increased ten fold in the last decade sparking a 20 billion dollar consumer marketing frenzy! Unfortunately the truth is that there is nothing new in these products AT ALL! The main ingredients of benzyl peroxide and salicylic acid have been around for over 20 years. These products along with common washes and soaps full of irritating sulfates create over dry skin that is actually more prone to breakouts.
5. Myth - Acne isn't really a big deal and you will grow out of it.
Truth, acne is a very big deal emotionally for those who suffer with it. It causes depression, low self esteem, and can create permanent emotional and physical scarring. People with acne feel like their body is at war with them and in the case of adults with acne the low self esteem and self hatred can be extreme. People with sever acne are at high risk of being depressed and usually have low social interaction. Where acne is concerned the "whole" person needs help and support, not just the disease.
There was a great article on the subject from the Huffington Post this past February - search acne depression.
I hope this is helpful to you and anyone struggling with acne.
Chris Gibson
