Are there really any Acne Cures that Work?

There is an overabundance of advice when it comes to acne cures. Which ones actually help this age old teen curse and which are old wives tales?

Many unfortunate people between the ages of twelve and twenty four suffer from acne. It's uncomfortable and embarrassing. Boys tend to fall victim to it more than girls at the onset of puberty, probably because of the increased level of the hormone testosterone in the body.

Acne is generally caused by bacteria filling up clogged pores, resulting in zits breaking out. The zits usually spread over the face, back, shoulders, chest and neck. Some doctors think it may be hereditary.

A lot of people with severe acne seek advice from doctors and specialist dermatologists. Some sufferers use over the counter treatments, some have prescription treatments and others prefer to use natural methods. There is a lot of anecdotal promotion of the merits of one treatment or another and it all gets very confusing. You just have to see which acne cures work for you and it may be a case of trial and error. There are some experts who say there is no such thing as a cure and that you should disregard such claims.

Whatever the claims and counter claims of different sorts of treatment, prevention is certainly preferable to acne cures. It's worth a try anyway. Attention to diet is important and avoiding fried foods, and refined and processed foods in general is a good start. Also, try to cut down on caffeine, alcohol, soft drinks and tobacco.  Eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, and drink plenty water. Eating irregularly can cause constipation and this can promote acne because the toxic material has to break out somewhere.

It may not be possible to prevent the acne but you may be able to lessen its effects. If all measures fail, it's time to decide on which of the acne cures to try. There are numerous gels, lotions, creams and solutions on the market. Benzoyl Peroxide is a common ingredient in over the counter medications and some people have found that it works very well, especially when combined with regular cleansing and moisturizing. Other acne cures are antibiotics, salicylic acid and sulfur.

Other people prefer to try vitamins or natural herbal remedies. These are all easily available as acne cures. Vitamin A and Niacin is recommended, and also Zinc tablets. There are a number of home remedies that you could try. Some sufferers apply orange peel crushed with water or lemon juice.

Read about acne herbal remedies.

Another acne cure is coriander or mint juice mixed with a little bit of turmeric powder. Others apply grated cucumber leaves or crushed garlic cloves. You could also try an overnight face mask made from mashed up fenugreek leaves, to be washed off when you wake next day. 

Tea Tree Oil is said to be another acne cure. You can also bathe in a soothing hot tub of  Epsom Salts.

Try them all and see what works. If nothing does seem to work seek a professional who is a certified dermatologist.

Whichever acne remedy you decide to try, do not pick at your skin and undo the results of your treatment. This will only make it worse and it may spread and leave long term scars.