Advanced Products for Oily Skin

Winning the war against acne can be a thankless challenge. There are three major forms of acne, the most common being Simple Acne, the least severe form. Cystic Acne is more severe, and more difficult to treat. The third type, Acne Rosacea, is really not acne at all but a chronic acne-like eruption associated with facial flushing. It usually appears in middle aged persons, around the ages of 30-50, and more commonly in women. It's cause is uncertain.

Most everyone who suffers from acne asks themselves at one time or another "Why me?" There is an answer to that question, although it often does not come easily.

Most frequently acne stems from some form of toxicity or imbalance in the system. This toxicity may be hormonal, as is often the case with teenage acne or premenopausal acne. It may be intestinal, or it may be related to some particular substance.

Stress can create toxicity in the system by stimulating the production of anti-inflammatory hormones. Chronic stress results in the overproduction of these hormones, which create their own side effects and imbalances and ultimately weaken our immune system. Lowered immunity is a green light for the proliferation of bacteria associated with acne. Therefore, there is a distinct connection between stress and acne.

Research suggests that intestinal toxemia may play a role in acne, so consider your digestive and excretory health as a factor.

How to cope? Topical treatments that help unclog pores go a long way towards curbing breakouts. A good oil-free Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acid treatment can do this rather well. By sloughing off dead cells, these formulations help pores breathe, and clogging is subsequently reduced. A high quality formulation, such as our Clear Skin Fruit Acid Gel, will also deepen the penetration of subsequently applied products. For all skin types, an alpha hydroxy gel will increase the effectiveness of a vitamin-rich moisturizer.

Overdrying the skin with strong alcohols and other drying agents can backfire by stimulating even more oil production, so don't go there. Treat your skin kindly if you want it to look good for a lifetime.

Nutritional status seems to play a major role in acne, from both a preventive and a therapeutic perspective. If you really want to know more, check out Acne: An Inside Perspective.