Natural Acne Relief - 5 Essential Tips

Even though acne is not that harmful to your health, you should try your best to eliminate this problem as it may cause serious damage, both physical and emotional, later on. What do you have to do if you have a breakout that hurts like hell even with just a soft touch, or if this problem causes a burning sensation to your skin? There are a lot of things most people have lying around the house that can act as natural acne relief when unexpected cystic acne breaks out in your skin.

Here are tips for natural acne relief:

1.Use only non-abrasive and gentle cleansers on your face. If you suffer from regular breakouts, do not use exfoliating or invigorating scrubs as it may worsen the problem. Wash at least twice a day to keep the face clean and to unclog the pores. Warm water is recommended when washing the face.

2.Stay away from French fries, fried peanuts or anything that is fried and oily. Too much oil taken and produced by your glands can cause pimples.

3.To get rid of excess oil, use mild skin cleanser at least thrice a day. Do not use skin cleanser that has oil as ingredient as it may add up to the oil that your sebaceous glands produce.

4.Watch your diet and drink at least five to seven glasses of water per day to flush out the toxins.

5.Research what herbs and plants can help you relieve this problem and dry out your acne. For example herbal remedies like garlic, aloe vera, mint, cucumber, and lemon work very well.

By Susan Deberry

Home Treatment For Eyebags and Dark Circles

Eyebags and dark circles can be very embarrassing to have. In some cases, your situation may partly rely on your appearance so it may be helpful to find an effective solution to get rid of it. There are quick and cheap home treatments available that will significantly lead to beautiful skin. Some of these techniques should be followed through well for maximum benefits.
The Lowdown on Stress and Exhaustion
Majority of eyebags and dark circles stem from a tired and stress body. You may notice that several hardworking individuals who do not get enough sleep at night are most prone to developing the problem. The basic approach would simply be to get more rest and sleep. Stress and mental exhaustion tends to tire the tissues, skin and muscle surrounding the eyes thereby leading to dark discolorations.
Other factors may also be the cause such as hereditary factors, age, vulnerability to environmental and external elements and unhealthy lifestyle habits that stress the skin such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake. These can be treated by controlling the predisposing factors and changing routines that make skin appear unhealthy. Hereditary susceptibility and age can be helped by taking care of one's body more through the years to prolong wellness.
Effective Home Remedies
Tired orbital areas may be relieved by cold application. Place a number of spoons in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour to allow it to absorb the cold. Use the backside of the spoon and place directly on the eyebags and dark circles for 2 minutes. Make use of the various angles of the spoon until the coolness is completely transferred on your face. Another alternative would be to place ice cubes in a small basin of water until the temperature drops to freezing. Take a small towel then dip and wring completely in the ice cold water before directly placing over the eyes covering the problem areas. Repeat the process one or two more times.
Basic facial washing also improves overall condition. Wash your face immediately upon waking up using mild soap and cool water. Massage and soothe eyebags and dark circles carefully then rinse thoroughly. Dab the areas dry with a clean cotton towel. Be sure not to rub on the areas to avoid stressing them. Eyebags may also develop through fluid retention so it may help to keep your head elevated during sleep and avoiding too much salt and fluids before bedtime.
Lightening Products
Vitamin E cream is usually recommended by most dermatologists since it offers a natural and non-irritating solution. Wrinkle-removing lotions and ointments are not recommended if the condition is due to normal aging. Hemorrhoid ointments are known to help tighten skin cells thereby making dark spots disappear. Quick fixes include concealers but make sure that you remove oil-based products with a cleanser or astringent to prevent irritation. Some types of oil and other ingredients may increase puffiness and swelling around the eyes so you may be better off with hypoallergenic cosmetic applications.
Herbs and Other Alternative Treatments
Some people suggest putting a sliced potato or cucumber over each eye for about 30 minutes. Chamomile, dill or rosemary compresses are effective alternative treatments as well. Ginseng and gynostemma are herbal agents known too improve skin circulation and pore condition thereby removing dark circles around the eyes. These treatments act by improving blood flow and distributing oxygen well into the tissues. Vitamin K is also considered to help eliminate puffiness and discoloration. Vitamin C, copper and zinc are useful agents since these create elastin which functions by keeping skin tight and healthy. Other useful elements include selenium and minerals like Vitamin B complex.
Healthy eating habits and a sound exercise routine will keep your skin healthy and prevent formation of eyebags. Individuals should limit exposure to UV rays and sitting in front of the television or computer for too long. Smoking should also be reduced or stopped entirely since it can cause blood vessels to constrict limiting oxygen and blood supply to tissues. Choice of food is another factor to consider since spicy foods are known to excite the nervous system. Focus more on healthy and natural food options rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

By Jean Simmer

How To Deal With Those Awful Blackheads - Acne Treatment 101

Acne is one skin condition that anyone would be grateful never to have at all. However, acne is part of life; everyone gets them at some point. The condition affects people in varying degrees too. Some will get by with only the mildest case of acne while others will have severe acne that physically scars them for life. In addition to whiteheads and pimples, blackheads are the visible signs of an acne. Who doesn't want to get rid these unsightly blemishes regardless of the cost?
Removing blackheads can be quite challenging and tricky. Improperly removing blackheads can leave scars on your face. You may be sorely tempted to smash, squeeze and scrape the blackheads as soon as they appear, but you need to exercise restraint and a good dose of common sense. A few minutes of satisfaction over getting rid of the blackheads could equal to a lifetime of remorse when scars replace the blackheads. As much as possible, you want to get rid of acne without any scarring or blemishing your skin.
If you are constantly plagued by blackheads, your first line of defense is knowledge. If you know and understand what you are up against, you will be able to take proper steps towards fighting blackheads. Clogged pores are what cause blackheads. Blackheads are the result of a reaction that the clogged pores have undergone, creating discoloration. While whiteheads tend to create a pustule on your skin's surface, blackheads will not; they are leveled with the skin and are discolored instead.
So how exactly can you avoid blackheads from appearing at all? And when they do appear, what should you do? Unfortunately, you cannot completely avoid blackheads. However, if you are healthy and maintain good hygiene, you will be helping yourself a lot in terms of keeping your skin clear. There are over-the-counter drugs available for acne breakouts but they are not completely fool-proof.
Blackheads can be the bane of anyone's existence. No person in his or her right mind would ever welcome blackheads once they rear their ugly, discolored heads. If blackheads start appearing on your face, use skin care products that have been created for removing blackheads. Avoid removing the blackheads with your fingernails, tweezers or any other small tool. Doing so could leave permanent scars on your face. If you must absolutely take those blackheads out, go to the pharmacy and get strips that are designed to pull the blackheads out. If you have a severe case of blackheads, don't think twice -- go to a dermatologist so you can be properly treated.
There not a single medication that can profess to completely curing acne -- blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and all. If you suffer from mild to severe acne, finding the right medication may take some time; it requires a lot of patience from your part. A great deal of self-restraint may be called for, particularly when you are tempted to pop pimples, dig out the blackheads and squeeze the whiteheads. What you can do is lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right and have good hygiene. Of course, seeking the help and advice of a doctor is always a good thing to do.

Tim Gorman

Stop Squeezing Your Pimples - 7 Safe Ways to Get Rid of Pimples

It's everyone's worst nightmare. Waking up the day before a special event to discover a big, red pimple baring itself for all to see right on your face!
Here's how to get rid of it quickly and safely:
1. Don't ever pinch, squeeze or pick at a pimple. This only causes it to become more red and inflamed, and will spread the bacteria and oils that caused it in the first place, to other parts of your face! It can also lead to scars.
2. Every 30 minutes, apply an ice pack to the pimple and hold it there for about 2 minutes. This will decrease the swelling and redness and help shrink the inflammation and pain that sometimes comes along with it.
3. They don't call it concealer for nothing! Covering the pimple with a light dose of flesh-tinted concealer can help mask it when you're in a hurry. It also helps cover up that oily shine.
4. Cleanse your skin 2-3 times a day with mild, unscented soap or a specialized acne cleanser that has no harsh chemicals (such as lye). Scrub skin gently with an exfoliating pad or washcloth, but don't rub too hard, otherwise you'll sap your skin of its own natural oils, which help to repel buildup naturally.
5. Apply a cream or ointment containing benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid (many over-the-counter acne medicines contain these ingredients) to the blemish or around the entire facial area. Note that these ingredients both have a tendency to dry out skin if used too much and are not recommended if you have
sensitive skin.
6. Wear oil-free makeup whenever possible. These types have less of a tendency to cause the pore buildup that results in blemishes. Remove your makeup nightly and cleanse with an acne-fighting medicine to remove dirt, oil and makeup from deep within the skin.
7. If you're in need of a quick fix, a dab of toothpaste on the affected area right before bed can help soothe irritation and reduce redness. Pressing and holding a wet tea bag or a cotton ball with a dab of lemon juice against the blemish for five minutes can also reduce swelling and redness.
If you follow these tips, chances are you'll notice a significant difference rather quickly - often within a day or two. If pimples become a recurring problem or worsen, your doctor or dermatologist can suggest a daily skin cleansing routine that will suit your skin type. Other long-term remedies, such as facial masks, diet adjustments and increasing the amount of water you drink can also help combat outbreaks.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program. 
 By:Emily Clark