For those of you who have met me, you know I am often mistaken for being an 18 year old when in actuality I’m 27. I’m currently teaching after-school cooking classes in Brooklyn to middle school kids and I was mistaken for one of the students by an employee. I almost got in trouble for being in the hallway!

All I can say is that the organic food and vegetables must be working!

…and I use Oil of Olay (with SPF) everyday although I am searching for a more natural product that I will like.

Developing Acne

Around the age of 18 I started developing a mild case of adult acne. It actually wasn’t too bad, but I noticed it because my face had always been very clear. I was stumped as to why this was happening.

I solved the problem, and I thought it would be great to share my discovery with you. Not only to show how food does affect our skin, but also because maybe it will work for you too!

Caffeine

Around the same time I developed the acne I was also becoming a social coffee drinker. It took me awhile to put two and two together, but I eventually experimented with eliminating the coffee. Guess what! The pimples went away.

Hmmm… So what could it have been? I then figured out that my skin would break out if I had soda, chocolate, or tea. The common factor was caffeine. In fact, I was so sensitive that even decaf caused me to have blemishes. (Decaf still contains a small amount of caffeine leftover from the process.) I also later discovered that alcohol would have the same effect.

I’m not a dermatologist, and many of them will tell you that what you eat does not affect whether you have acne or not, but I will tell you from first hand experience that it does. What seemed to be happening was that caffeine or alcohol would stimulate oil production in my skin (probably because of increased hormone levels). The oil was probably being produced at a faster rate than my skin was able to naturally slough off dead skin cells, therefore my pores would get clogged.

This is my non-technical version of what I think must’ve been happening

My Skin Is CLEAR!

I’ve eliminated all forms of caffeine and alcohol and my skin is clear. Of course I get the occasional zit, but not often. I also find that I need to wash my face with a washcloth or exfoliater in the evening and that will keep the occasional pimple to a minimum.

If you need help eliminating caffeine and developing a healthier diet, call me for an initial consultation. You will also receive life coaching along with your nutritional counseling…because it all goes together. It’s never just about food! 917-689-6530

Melissa King
Holistic Nutrition Counselor
http://www.wellnessandenergy.com

- Rooibos tea has received a lot of attention from scientists over the last 15 years and Japanese scientists in particular have done a lot of research on the Tea and its beneficial properties. Thanks to Rooibos Tea’s natural age fighting properties it is excellent for use in skin and healthcare products. Rooibos Extract, derived from the Rooibos plant Aspalathus linearis is not only full of antioxidants, it is also has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Aspalathin the anti-allergic property occurs only in the Rooibos plant.

- Products containing Rooibos extract are well suited for the particular needs of the teenage years. Rooibos skincare products will clean the skin without disturbing the pH-balance of the skin or dehydrating the skin. It will cleanse the pores, get rid of impurities, and help to keep the pores from blocking up again. The advantage of the antibacterial property is that it promotes the healing of problem skin in a natural way. It helps to reduce the incidence and spreading of bacterial infections.

- It is even helpful to add cooled Rooibos tea to the rinsing water when washing the face. Applied topically it has a soothing effect on the skin.

- Modern foods are often over-refined and full of additives and teenagers frequently choose to snack on poor quality food. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which could have a major impact on the physical condition of the skin. It is therefore important that teenagers take a balanced supplement of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids geared to their specific needs.

 A new train of thought is that it is essential for teenagers to use a health supplement that contains Vitamin B5. Vitamin B5 is one of the new Buzzwords in the fight against acne. Vitamin B5 supplementation strengthens the immune system, helps the body to deal with stress, and increases stamina.

- Green Rooibos tea is The New drink for the New Generation.

- Green Rooibos tea is unfermented Rooibos tea and it contains 100 times more anti-oxidants than normal Rooibos tea and 10 times more aspalathin - the anti-allergic flavonoid.

- The Annique GRAB Teenage range promotes a healthy, clear complexion by also tackling the problem at its source.

For more information visit http://www.AnniqueUK.co.uk

Excoriated acne occurs when an acne patient continues to pick at or squeeze acne formations on their face, never allowing the skin to heal. This constant picking aggravates the acne condition and often times leaves severe scarring. Imagined acne happens when a patient is convinced she has acne but in reality does not. This person may have one small pimple and blow the existence of the pimple out of proportion and view it as a severe case of acne.

Underlying both of these acne fetishes is the fear of being ugly, or dysmorphophobia. It’s an easy psychological state to acquire in a society that increasingly places more value on superficial looks than personal traits.

Steps to combating an acne fetish include: Spending less time self-critiquing in front of the mirror; and Embellishing your talents.

Even a hiatus from mirror visits may help an acne fetish. If you do look in the mirror, focus on elements of your face besides the zits. For instance, look at the color of your eyes or the size of your lips, without criticizing of course. You may have lovely eyelashes or the perfect eyebrows. Whenever you look in the mirror stop making negative judgments about yourself. If you do find yourself ridiculing yourself and wanting to burst a zit in a rushed desire for clear skin, just remind yourself that every zit that you prematurely pop may encourage the formation of 3 completely new zits.

Focus on your greatest assets as a person, or cultivate new skills. You may be an awesome guitar player or fabulous singer, give yourself recognition for your strengths. Do something that you’ve always wanted to do, but did not do because you felt having acne precludes you from this activity.

In the final analysis, healing an acne fetish starts with recognizing that this condition has serious medical repercussions. An acne fetish can debilitate one’s self-esteem while encouraging needless facial scarring. If you think you have an acne fetish, you can get help from a qualified dermatologist, psychologists or just talk it over with some really cool and understanding friends.

Naweko San-Joyz is creator of the Acne Messages program, the only acne program to combine the latest scientific research and ancient wisdom to deliver an acne cure as unique as the acne sufferer. As there are millions of people with acne, there are a millions cures, find your unique cure with Acne Messages. ISBN: 0974912204 available at Amazon and Noixia.com, Home of Six Billion Natural Cures for Acne

Hundreds of medications, treatments, cleansers and cosmetics are available for people with acne, but the most important elements of an acne-fighting program won’t cost you a cent.

1. Nourish your skin by eating a healthy and balanced diet.

Most health care specialists agree that a healthy diet will benefit your skin. Cut down on caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates, all of which can activate the hormones that tell your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Add more fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, juices and other healthy treats to your daily diet, and you’ll see in improvement in your skin.

2. Drink lots of water to maintain the skin’s elasticity.

Plenty of water is essential to the health of your skin. One of the main activities of the body’s self-healing system is to filter the blood, a job performed mostly by the kidneys, with help from the skin in the form of perspiration. This self-healing system removes the toxic wastes of metabolizing food and of other harmful substances that get into our bodies one way or another.

This purification system operates efficiently only if the volume of water flowing through it is sufficient to carry away the wastes. 6 to 8 glasses (64 fluid ounces) of water a day is the recommendation. To reach your quota, carry bottled water with you in your car, your purse, your briefcase-wherever you go.

Get the water habit, and your skin will thank you for it.

3. Exercise regularly for good circulation.

Get into a regular routine of exercise. Do it for at least half an hour, five days a week. Exercise improves your blood circulation, helping your body clear toxins from your system, including your skin. Better circulation also increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin. Exercise also relieves stress, which is a common cause of acne flare-ups. Last but not least, exercise releases endorphins, the “feel good” substance in your brain that puts a smile on your face-the best beauty secret of all.

4. Cleanse your face-then tone, moisturize, and exfoliate.

At night* First remove your makeup with an oil-free makeup remover and a cotton ball. * Then wash your face with lukewarm water and an oil-free, non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores) cleanser. * Pat (don’t rub) it dry with a soft towel.* And apply an oil-free moisturizer.

In the morning* Wash your face as directed above, then use an alcohol-free toner. * Next apply moisturizer. * Then apply makeup-all oil-free and non-comedogenic.

Once or twice a week use an exfoliator with alpha hydroxy acid or glycolic acid. This will aid in the shedding of dead skin cells, the “food” for the bacteria that cause pimples.

If you exercise during the day, you’ll need to wash your face a third time, immediately afterward.

5. Protect your skin from the sun and harsh weather.

One popular myth about acne is that tanning will clear it. It may seem so at first, but soon you will notice that your tanned skin becomes less pliable, making it less able to shed oil and dead skin cells, which clog your pores. Your acne will become worse, not better.

Always wear sun block with at least an SPF-15 UVA & UVB rating. If you’ll be outside in the sun for long, wear a wide-brimmed hat.

6. Get plenty of good-quality rest.

Your immune system requires energy to do its work, including the work of protecting your skin from acne. The deep sleep the brain needs for “recharging” comes several hours into the sleep cycle. That’s why a few hours here and there won’t do. Most people need at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Consider it beauty sleep.

If you make these 6 items part of your daily routine, you’ll look better, feel better, and have less need of expensive acne treatments and cosmetics.

Visit Ron’s website Latest-Acne-Solutions for the latest research into acne relief.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.

Many things can cause outbreaks of pimples and zits. Allergies, heredity, stress, weather, menstruation and even over washing can cause acne. There are lots of ways to treat acne. For mild to moderate cases, experts recommend washing your face twice daily and after any exercise. They also recommend over the counter acne products that contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These products can have some side effects of burning, redness and irritation, but often decrease or even disappear with continual use. The acne treatment industry is a multi-million dollar industry, and scientists come up with new ways to treat pimples regularly.

For moderate to sever acne, it is advisable to consult with a dermatologist. A dermatologist can diagnose the problem and has many treatment options for acne to choose from. Some treatments include used prescribed topical medications for the treatment of your acne, and even oral antibiotics, which help reduce acne outbreaks. Not everyone will receive the same kind of acne treatments, and your dermatologist can tailor the treatments to your specific needs.

Taking care of your skin is the best way to reduce pimples. Choose cleansing products that are not overly harsh and are oil-free. Wash your face after sweating heavily. For young women, the use of makeup can exacerbate acne problems, so it is a good idea to pick cosmetics that are non-comedogenic, because they do not clog pores. Never go to sleep at night without washing your face. It is also imperative that you do not squeeze or pinch zits. You may be tempted to do it, but it can lead to scarring. Don’t spend a lot of time scrubbing your face, because it can make acne worse. It is also smart to avoid putting your hands on your face a lot, because the oil on your hands gets transferred to your face and can cause further outbreaks.

Pimples are a part of life for most of us. While that may not be much consolation to someone who is suffering from acne, it may help to put it in perspective. Acne happens to everyone at some point in his or her lives. The good news is that there are many products available to treat acne, and severe acne can be improved by seeing a dermatologist. Acne skin care does not have to be painful or embarrassing. By taking care of your skin and tackling pimples as they appear with common sense and some good acne products, you can improve the overall look and feel of your skin.

Bob Hett offers simple and concise advice on the causes and treatment of acne. Get the answers to all of your questions at acne

If you are anything like three-fourths of the parents Harris Interactive for the American Counseling Association recently surveyed, you are actively involved in helping your teenager treat acne.

While getting everything in order for back to school adds enough stress, the last thing your teen may want to deal with is a pimply face. So how can you send Mr. or Miss “But I have to have it now!” off to school with no fuss and no zits?

Even though little Caitlin’s initial reaction may be to bolt for the strongest acne soap she can find, this is not the way to go. As dermatologist Alanna F. Bree, MD at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, warns, “many of the zealous measures people take can make the blemishes worse.”

Then again, after visiting a dermatologist to determine if acne prescriptions like tretinoin (Retin-A), antibiotics or isotretinoin are in order, it will take weeks before your teen sees a marked improvement in their skin’s condition.

Next, perhaps a laser visit may zap the zits away. Yet, Jerome Garden, MD, of the department of dermatology at Northwestern University in Chicago advises, “These are highly expensive cash procedures requiring multiple visits to the office.”

Dr. Spencer added, “I think light-based therapy for acne represents one more tool in the tool chest, but it’s quite unreasonable for it to be the first thing that pops into your head.”

Your best bet for preventative acne measures can start in your own home. Author of Acne Messages: Crack the Code of Your Zits and Say Goodbye to Acne, Naweko San-Joyz, offers three steps to help your teenager get clearer skin fast.

First, after gently cleansing the face, swipe it with a cotton-ball drenched in apple-cider vinegar to help remove excess fatty acid deposits that may provoke zits.

Second, cook a bowl of raw (not instant) oatmeal and let it cool. Mix the oatmeal with one teaspoon of honey and then apply it to the face as a mask for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it off. The mask helps dry up existing zits, exfoliate the skin and reduce overpopulation by p. acnes bacteria.

Third, San-Joyz suggests blending a smoothie of fresh carrots, celery, pineapple and a teaspoon of wheat germ. The nutrients served up in this cocktail help compensate for shortages in vitamins A, B, C and E and the mineral zinc that can sometimes trigger acne.

As the first and final stand against teenage acne, dermatologist Dr. Alan Rockoff Brookline’s offers this encouragement, “Once you rule out conditions that require urgent intervention (pretty easy in dermatology), often the best thing is to relax, and wait.”

For now, give your teenager the assurance that the acne can improve after de-stressing and if that fails, give you local dermatologist a ring.

Sources: eSkin and Allergy News

Are you a pro at yo-yo dieting? Let Naweko show you how to go from slob to sexy using the secret mind tools that even fitness models won’t tell you about. Get the real scoop on how to lose weight and keep it off at http://www.Noixia.com, home of “Skinny Fat Chicks: Why We’re Still Not Getting This Dieting Thing” ISBN:0974912212.

While Acne tends to predominantly affect teenagers (at least 90% develop some form of Acne), it is not uncommon in adults. Acne can occur on the face, neck, chest, back and arms. Acne can have a severe psychological impact, particularly on teenagers, and be a direct causal factor of low self-esteem and diminished confidence. Severe acne may lead to permanent scarring. Many people actively seek Home Remedies for Acne to treat the condition themselves.

Teens and Acne.

While most teens exhibit only mild forms of Acne, even these mild breakouts can cause untold heartache. ‘I can’t go the prom?’; ‘I can’t go on my date?’; ‘I can’t go to school like this?’

These statements are indicative of low self-esteem and/or diminished self-confidence. In a teen-world where ‘perfection’ is propagated by both the media and one’s peers, being ‘disfigured’ by facial blemishes has a massive psychological impact on many teens. Especially in severe cases.

Of course they are NOT disfigured, they simply have a skin condition common to teens due to the hormonal changes naturally occurring within their bodies. Growing up has its challenges.

Treating Acne

It IS possible to gently and effectively Treat Acne Naturally (no drugs or prescription medication required).

A 100% purely natural cure for Acne, that has multiple positive testimonials from thousands of people across the world can be found at www.naturallyguaranteed.com. It comes with a 60 day money back guarantee. I recommend it. Cure acne with no scarring… It’s not only possible, it’s a reality…

When it comes to zits and finding the acne cure it can be quite a difficult task. Everyone claims their product to be the one but are they. The acne cure is the product that works for you and what works for you might not work for someone else.

So how do you determine the acne cure that’s right for you? Well I wish I could tell you it’s very simple just buy product A or product B but the truth is you are going to have to experiment try different products until you find the one that works for you.

I could fill you full of bull and tell you Neutrogena is the one or Proactive is the one. For some that would be true, for others however it would not.

When trying a new product try to buy the smallest quantity available. Many acne products offer a trial size which is perfect! If no trial size is available then you’ll have to buy the next smallest size you can find.

Remember price has no bearing on what works. For some the cheapest acne products do the job for others it’s the most expensive. Trial and error is the only way you’ll find out.

There are some general things you can do that help almost all sufferers to some degree.

Increase the amount of water you drink daily. It should be at least 10 8 ounce glasses. Water helps flush your system and that includes your skin which then can better move impurities and toxins out of the body.

Increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables you eat.

Exercise. Exercise helps boost the immune system which can then better fight our acne outbreaks.

Take a zinc supplement. Zinc has shown great results for many acne sufferers. If you want more information on zinc visit us at the acne cure center or do a quick search and you’ll find other sites providing valuable information.

Reduce stress. Stress can trigger an outbreak so try to keep your stress under control. I know this can be easier said than done but there are many relaxation techniques available. Give one a try.

Contrary to the old wives tails floating around. Acne is not caused by sugar or greasy foods. Although they don’t directly cause acne, they are overall not healthy for the body and can reduce the bodies ability to build a strong immune system so you should consume in moderation. But cutting them out of your diet won’t make your acne magically disappear.

Many acne outbreaks are a result of hormonal imbalances. That’s why acne is so prone in teens. There are hormonal treatments available that you can talk to your doctor about.

There are also many other treatments available from your doctor or dermatologist. This is certainly a route worth exploring if you suffer from severe acne.

But for the occasional outbreak you can find the acne cure that works for you over the counter. So why not start now?

M.D. Stacener from The Acne Cure has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at The Acne Cure

Chances are there are also about 60 million people feeling the way you do.

For most of us humans, acne seems to be the bane of our existence. And it is not totally unfounded. Acne, nowadays, is the most prevalent and most common medical condition affecting more than 60 million people in the United States alone.

What exactly are the causes of acne that so many people suffer from it?Here are the most common causes of acne that we have gathered for you.

Hormones- the number one cause of acne is the production of sex hormones called androgen that begins at puberty. This is why majority of acne sufferers are adolescents and teens. Hormones are responsible for then acne flare-ups during menstruation and pregnancy.

When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging - and acne.

Stress- Stress can also cause the production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne. Stress brings upon different hormone levels. With hormone changes the body prompts the skins oil glands to enlarge, secreting more oil. Which causes white heads, black heads and pimples.

Oily or heavy make up- Heavy make-up clogs the pores and oily make-ups add more oil, this only adds to the problem if oily skin already exists. Cosmetics especially certain moisturizers, foundation and pomades (watch out for lanolin, petrolatum, vegetable oils, butyl stearate, lauryl alcohol and oleic acid).

Certain medications and steroids. Vitamins are good for your body, But an excess of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 can cause acne flare-ups. These vitamins are good for the skin, but avoid overuse.

Acne Cure Remedy - http://www.acnecureremedy.com/

Though how back acne is formed is studied, unfortunately, the medical field is still unable to put its finger and say this is the reason why back acne is caused. All that is known is it is due to bacterial growth under the skin. May be there are more than one reason for the cause of back acne. While for other acnes heredity or genetics may play a vital role, for back acne heredity plays only a minor role.

There are lots of misconceptions regarding back acne. People believe that back acne is caused due to eating lots of chocolates and or oily food or fat rich food or fried food but medical tests show no direct correlation between back acne and oily food. The second misconception is that mental stress aggravates back acne. No, mental stress does not aggravate back acne though stress might play a minor role in other forms of acne; it does not aggravate back acne. The third misconception is that back acne is contagious. Back acne is not contagious. The fourth misconception is that many think that by repetitive washing of the affected part they can get away with back acne. But it is not true though it may keep you from more acne buds sprouting, it certainly does not wash away your back acne. Another dangerous misconception is that you can cure back acne with moisturizer. At times the use of moisturizer will only aggravate the condition of back acne.

There are many back acne treatments available in all fields of medicine including herbal and natural medicine. In treating back acne one should exercise patience. It is for sure a long term treatment. Since there are lots of treatments for acne people tend to switch from one to the other, this can produce undesirable effects. Those affected with back acne should identify one form of treatment and continue with the same for a considerable amount of time before they can see any noticeable improvement.

One of the major side effects of back acne is that the affected individuals tend to undergo depression and tend to have low self confidence and self esteem. This is more prevalent among the adolescents. Those affected with back acne tend to reduce their social life and stop going for swimming or any other activity that will force them to expose their body. Eventually, back acne which could have been easily cured with persistent treatment changes itself to a chronicle psychological disorder.

For further resources to understand acne and various acne treatments please visit the following website http://www.acne-site.com/