Tips for Preventing Acne at Any Age

From sweet 16 to fabulous 40 and beyond, acne is a condition that affects almost everyone at some time in their lives. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 85 percent of adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 24 develop the condition, and some people continue to be affected into their forties and fifties.

"It’s important to remember that acne has both internal and external causes," says Amy Baker, founder of Nature’s Cure, an innovative health and beauty products company. "However, there are some basic precautions you can take to help prevent breakouts."

Here are some tips from Baker for people of any age who want to keep their skin clear:

* Don’t pick, pop or squeeze, or otherwise mess with your skin. Squeezing blemishes or whiteheads can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse.

* Wash your pillowcase often and always use clean face towels. Dirty towels and pillowcases can harbor bacteria and germs that can make acne worse.

* Be sure to pull your hair away from your skin when you sleep.

* Try to shower as soon as possible after your workout since sweat combined with skin oils can trap dirt and bacteria in your pores.

* Don’t go to bed with makeup on. It can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.

* Make sure to clean cosmetic brushes regularly in soapy water and throw out old, contaminated makeup.

* Use topical treatments, anywhere that you tend to get breakouts -- don't just spot-treat existing pimples. The pore-clogging process happens two to three weeks before any blemish becomes visible on the skin.

For a more complete treatment option, there is an innovative over-the-counter remedy called Nature's Cure 2 part Acne Treatment . "Because acne is caused by a combination of factors, including internal triggers that can cause imbalances inside the body, and an overproduction of oil and trapped bacteria on the outside, the most effective way to treat it is by addressing both areas," explains Baker. "The treatment includes all natural tablets to rebalance the body, and a cream that works to clear up existing pimples at the same time," she adds.

* Exercising regularly can help reduce stress and it increases blood circulation and oxygen penetration to the skin, which may help to prevent acne.

* Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to help "detoxify" the body from the inside out.

By taking these simple precautions, most people can reduce the occurrence of acne. There are also a variety of products available to help in healing or preventing breakouts. However, consumers should be careful about what they choose to use.

"Most acne prevention products either don’t work very well or have a litany of side effects," says Baker. "Unlike other options, Nature's Cure is a homeopathic treatment that is made from minerals, herbs and other natural extracts that activate the body’s natural defenses. Because these ingredients are in minute concentrations, they trigger the body to heal itself without side effects." The formula is available in a male and female version. "Male and female bodies and hormonal compositions are different, and you have to address those differences when you are treating acne," says Baker.

Nature’s Cure also offers a two-part body acne treatment that includes tablets and a medicated body spray that can be sprayed from any angle to treat hard-to-reach places like the back and neck. Buy Body Acne Treatment here

Go to our Nature's Cure Store Courtesy of ARA Content

More Advice for Getting Rid Of Acne

• Cleanse the skin with a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid cleanser, apply an alpha hydroxy, and then use a toner. Then use an acne fighting medication skin along with a moisturizer.
• To dry out a pimple overnight, try using toothpaste (not gel) directly on the zit.
• Another quick and easy pimple treatment is any antiseptic mouthwash.  As long as the mouthwash contains methyl-salicylate, just soak a cotton ball or pad in it and dab it on the pimples. This will unclog pores and the antiseptic properties will kill bacteria that causes future pimples.
• A great face mask is to use the white part of an egg and apply it to your face for about 15 minutes. The vitamin A in the whites is also good for your skin. 
• The egg white is also a great overnight remedy. 
• To rid redness from an inflamed zit, apply visine eye drops to the red spots. 
• Aspirin contains salicylic acid which is a key ingredient in most over the counter acne medications. Salicylic acid helps dry, lifeless skin cells to shed which rejuvenates collagen, reduces fine lines, tightens pores and improves skin texture in those who suffer from acne.
  It's very easy to use aspirin in your beauty routine. Use regular aspirin tablets and mix as follows:
  Dissolve 3 regular aspirin in 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Add 1/2 teaspoon water to make a thin paste. Massage the mixture gently onto your skin in circular motions and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. You can do this everyday if you have problem skin or just want to give your face a great treatment. Don't forget to moisturize.
• Try an acne mask.  Click here for recipes for acne masks

 Treat Body acne

• Body acne is common in adults and teens, showing up mostly on the chest, back and buttocks. Like facial acne, stress and hormones can cause blemishes. 
• Tight-fitting clothing such as spandex traps perspiration against the skin, and it then mixes with surface oils. The result is a film that clogs pores and causes blemishes ranging from whiteheads to inflamed papules and pustules. 
• Treatments for body acne are similar to those for facial acne, but body acne tends to be more resistant.
• Wash daily with a salicylic-acid based cleanser, and be sure to shower as soon as possible after perspiring.  Use a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide spot treatment on individual pimples at night. 
• Stubborn acne is usually treated with a topical retinoid such as Retin-A or a course of oral antibiotics such as tetracycline or minocycline. It will usually take anywhere from a week to a couple of months to see results. As a last resort, Accutane is used, though in higher dosages than for facial acne.