For many females, hormonal acne can appear as small bumps, almost appearing to be under the skin, that come out during periods of hormonal change.  Usually associated with their periods, this only adds to the overall “pleasure” of this time of month.   The concern with this type of acne is that exposing your skin to a rigorous or damaging acne product can actually make the issue worse rather than better, and that is not the result we are looking for.  Treatment is not difficult, but it does need to be followed to the letter to achieve the results that you desire. 

To begin with, finding the right cleanser is paramount.  Now you may think you have the best cleanser and you may think that you have tried cleansers that sound similar.  If you want to resolve this problem, you need to be sure to get facial cleansers that contain, not only these active ingredients, but also ensure that you are using products of documented quality.  To begin with glycolic acid is a must, this is going to be a large part of the treatment, but it is not the only thing needed.  You must combine that glycolic along with a powerful and proven anti inflammatory, anti bacterial ingredient.  Most scientific evidence points to Resveratrol, an ingredient found in the skin of grapes, as the premier ingredient to accomplish, although there are others out there to choose from. 

The combination of glycolic acid and resveratrol takes a different approach to the treatment of acne.  It repairs the skin’s natural healing process, allowing it to better deal with the hormonal changes that occur during menstruation.  While there may not be many products to choose from with this particular combination of ingredients, most that do combine it, have a well documented track record. 

For those of you that are currently treating your skin with a different acne treatment, that’s fine, complete that treatment, as it is important to give products time to work.  However if you are not happy once the treatment is done, move on to try this approach, you will be pleasantly surprised with the results that you achieve.

To begin with you should be looking for a facial cleanser that contains the active ingredient glycolic acid.  Now, many of us have tried cleansers that have contained glycolic acid, and in many cases those products did not deliver what we had hoped for.   As I said, this is only a starting point for your solution, so bear with me and follow along, you may be pleasantly surprised if you do. 

Oily skin is a bi product of a few processes that are taking place within your skin.  Those processes are magnified by the symptoms of acne.  Swollen, inflamed skin can trigger a oil product response as can an unhealthy balance of essential oils present within your skin, or the production of a particular enzyme.  In order to remedy oil skin, you must look to maintain the health of your skin at the same time that you hope to cleanse away the excess oils.  Find a facial cleanser that not only contains glycolic acid but the following ingredients and you are on the path to your oily skin solution.  

Chamomile extract is a proven anti inflammatory ingredient and it is known to calm and soothe the skin.  By relieving irritation you can reduce the amount of oil being produced by your skin, not to mention chamomile blocks free radicals and toxins from penetrating the skin.  Aloe Vera is another ingredient we are used to hearing in skin care but not as a treatment of oily skin.  Aloe Vera can be used to kill bacteria and fungus on contact making it a nice addition to a facial cleanser if oily skin is your objective.  Tangerine Oil is another ingredient that will go a long way in the reduction of oils present within the skin.  Tangerine Oil is a natural antiseptic so it is perfect for this, but it also sponsors new skin cell growth which is an essential aspect to treating this problem long term. 

A final ingredient that has been proven to be highly effective is Resveratrol.  Its use in acne is now fairly well documented and a few facial cleansers include it in their acne prone facial cleansers.  But when it comes to removing oily skin its combination with the ingredients mentioned above has proven to be not only highly effective but a one of a kind cleanser.

As we mentioned there is clearly a relationship between the foods that we eat and how it affects our skin, but there is no one diet that is sure to eliminate acne in all people, and all skin types.  It’s just not going to work like that.  There are, however, many basic guidelines for you to consider when you are choosing your diet.  We strongly recommend that you pay attention to the foods that you eat if you wish to improve your situation, and this is a great starting point for those of you that do not know which steps to take. 

Eat foods that are high in protein.  By having a high protein diet, you will reduce the amount of a particular enzyme that produces oil and clogged pores.  By focusing on ensure that you are maintaining protein levels you can often times regain control of oily skin.  Keep in mind that you also want to monitor your carbohydrate in take as well making sure to keep it below the 40-45% zone. 

You may have heard that chocolate or candies cause acne, but there is very little evidence to go along with that.  In reality the foods that you want to avoid are those that are high in saturated fat.  Sure chocolate is high in saturated fat, but it will not cause acne any more than the saturated fats found in meats, dairy and poultry.  We obviously need to find a balance between our protein intake and our saturated fat intake, doing so can be the answer you are looking for. 

Design a diet for yourself, keeping in mind the balance of protein, carbs and saturated fat that you are shooting for.  This process will most likely be a bit of trial and error, however by following the guides you will be able to find a diet that makes your acne better, if not control it all together.    Keep in mind that certain vitamins such as vitamin A and Zinc have helped with acne and should be supplemented along with your newly designed diet.  Green tea is another product that has proven to help, with regular consumption.  The key is to stay patient and consistent with your diet, avoid foods high in salt content and remember that this is only part of the process of eliminating acne, you will need a top of the line acne treatment to combat the bacteria on the surface layers of your skin.

While many of these approaches to acne treatment are used and in many cases effectively, there is one thing in common with all of them.  They are reacting to the conditions present within the skin.  For example, working to eliminate excess oils already present within the skin will most likely help treat an existing breakout, however it doesn’t actually address eliminating the production of the sebum itself.  And while working to eliminate acne causing bacteria has proven highly effective, it is also reactionary in nature, and many ingredients that accomplish this goal do so with many side effects.  (some all natural ingredients have proven to do eliminate acne causing bacteria without the harsh drying and damage)

While the scrubbing and cleansing away of acne is an age old ritual, the latest beliefs within the scientific community is that working to soothe the skin and eliminate inflammation actually helps the overall skin health, and ultimately the elimination of acne.  It is almost counter intuitive at first, to not be so focused on the scrubbing or cleansing, an instead allowing the active ingredients to penetrate the skin and go to work.  As you know, acne can cause a red swelling of the skin, and it is what makes acne so visible to others.  That inflammation is caused by irritated tissue.  Causing further irritation to the area, will only result in prolonged and more severe breakouts.  What the skin needs is to be able to restore itself to a healthy condition, so that it may heal the acne at their source, the imbalance within the skin.

By soothing inflamed skin with detoxifying cleansers and active ingredients designed as anti inflammatory, you are allowing your skin to heal rather than cause further irritation.  Further irritation can be from scrubbing or using ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, that may provide an initial improvement to the skin, but causes further irritation to the skin, which ultimately leads to breakouts.

The key is to think about acne prone skin much like an accident waiting to happen.  If you allow your skin to be irritated or inflamed then acne will breakout with abundance.  But if you are using a daily regimen that allows for the cleansing, treating AND soothing of the skin, you will find the balance that you have been looking for.   As much as we try to force our skin into balance with every product known to man, the reality is that we need to simply restore the health of our skin.  Doing so will bring about the balance and clear skin that so many of us are desperate to achieve.

Acne is frustrating enough without having to waste money on cleansers that do not help, or worse make the breakouts increase.  In most cases, this is about the quality of the cleanser itself, the active ingredients included in the cleanser, and often times consumers choosing the wrong product for their skin type or condition.  For this reason, many consumers grow impatient and ultimately frustrated, feeling as though they will never find an answer for their acne.  The key to finding the right product is to know what to look for, and which ingredients you want to see used.

Glycolic Acid, as an active ingredient, is such a smart starting point for an acne cleanser because of the fact that it works on all acne types and is suitable for all skin types as well.  Now not all glycolic cleansers are created equal.  If you have tried a glycolic cleanser in the past and feel that it did not do the trick, this may be because it was a lower quality cleanser or perhaps the formula of that particular brand was inferior.  There is no doubt that you want your cleanser to use glycolic acid if you are suffering  from acne, the question is which brand to look for.

Glycolic acid is derived from all natural sources and therefore it is most suitable within a well balanced all natural formula as well.  While many skin care companies will offer all natural claims, only a few have respected reputations within the industry.  Look for cleansers that combine active ingredients like Resveratrol to add the bonus of eliminating acne causing bacteria at the same time that it washes away excess dirt and oils.

The best acne cleansers are usually made by brands that offer some of the best acne treatments available on the market.  Read some of the consumer review sites out there and other consumer advocacy sites like this one and find brands that consistently rank among the best.  From there you can quickly scan the ingredient list and see if this particular product suits your needs.  Glycolic acid and resveratrol are two of the best ingredients to combine, and are often called detoxifying cleansers , and will shorten the list up rather quickly from there, making your decision that much easier.

While our opinion is just that, we derived our views based upon non-emotional criteria.  Look at the science and the studies behind these types of products and you too will see some of the world’s most prestigious universities and most respected scientists standing behind the use of these two ingredients above all else in an acne cleanser.  If it’s good enough for them, I feel confident in passing the referral along to you.   Read about the most proven glycolic cleansers and best acne treatment available on the market today.

Update:  Dermajuv will be changing its name to Dermagist.  Nothing about the company or product will change.. just the name. It is a very good product, in contrast to the many scam products out there.

This was a really great product, for the treatment of acne, as well as the overall health of the skin and body.   NO other acne product on the market worked as well as Dermajuv. Amazingly fast results, along with the fact that there are no side effects, makes the Dermajuv Acne Treatment System the #1 pick of acnecream.com.

Visit Dermajuv.com to learn more or buy.

Completely free of Benzoyl Peroxide, this is a dramatically effective acne treatment with some serious science behind it.  The most important parts of treating acne is killing of the bacteria that cause the pimples, and healing and calming the skin without making the acne itself worse.   That is a very tough challenge, and most companies resort to harsh chemicals to “try” to get the job done.   Dermajuv, on the other hand, tackles the two sides of treating acne Head-on, and does so all naturally. Here is how we reviewed the Demajuv Acne Treatment System on both the clearing and healing sides of the coin.

First, the main ingredient used to kill the acne causing bacteria, in both the cleanser and the acne cream is Resveratrol. Oxford University released a study that showed Resveratrol as equally effective as Benzoyl Peroxide in killing the bacteria, but because it has NONE of the dangerous side effects that benzoyl has, it is a far better solution… Read the study on the Oxford Journals.  More costly, but far better.  As an additional benefit, Resveratrol is a very powerful antioxidant, which can help get the toxins out of the skin too, which boosts the products’ ability to clear acne even further.  Lastly, we have all heard of the miraculous anti aging benefits of Resveratrol.. It has been discussed on Dr. Oz, Oprah, Barbara Walters, and even 60 minutes, as a potential miracle cure for aging.    Resveratrol’s use in Dermajuv’s acne products have nothing to do with the whole “anti aging buzz” surrounding this ingredient, but hey, it’s pretty cool to know that you are not only clearing up your acne, but also giving your skin a powerful anti aging treatment as well.

What else does it have that clears the acne? The cleanser uses Glycolic Acid to gently exfoliate the dead skin and bacteria that often cause acne too.  It’s a gentle treatment that doesn’t run the risk of irritating the acne further, yet it gets the job done of stimulating new healthy cell growth in the skin.  The cleanser also has Tangerine oil in it, which further exfoliates and kills bacteria, while also priming the skin to absorb the therapeutic ingredients that calm and sooth the redness and infection that comes with acne.

The acne cream, in addition to the resveratrol, contains Niacinimide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to naturally and almost immediately begin clearing and healing the acne.   “The acne literally starts to go away right before your eyes”, was a comment from a user we asked for a review from.  The report was that there was no peeling or shiny dryness that usually goes along with acne treatments.  Instead, the skin stayed moist and oil free, with a healthy glow… all while the acne and redness was literally washed away.

Clearing the actual pimples is only one thing that this system does.  The other side of the coin, is that it soothes and calms that red, irritated skin, that makes the acne so visible.  Making the acne less visible to the eye, is just as important as killing the pimples.

What does Dermajuv’s acne system do in regard to making the RED go away?

• It has Chamomile, which is known for its incredible soothing and “red removing” properties.
• Aloe Vera is contained in the cleanser for its amazing healing and calming properties.
• Shea butter moisturizes and calms the skin, all without clogging pores or adding grease or oil.

Overall, the Dermajuv Acne Treatment System is the best thing for the money, when it comes to curing acne, and making it less visible.   We highly recommend it, based on its performance, as well as it’s safe, all natural ingredients.

FREE of dangerous Benzoyl Peroxide!

There is a huge difference between Dermajuv’s acne system and other industry leaders… Dermajuv refuses to use Benzoyl Peroxide in their creams or cleansers.  The reason is that Benzoyl Peroxide causes Free Radicals in the skin, and that is the same as spending time unprotected in the sun.   Also, it irritates the skin, and often causes the acne to look worse.  Overdry and flaky is often how the skin is described when Benzoyl Peroxide is used.   That, combined with the development of tumors in lab tests with mice, Benzoyl Peroxide is deemed DANGEROUS by Dermajuv and is BANNED from use in any Dermajuv product.

Visit Dermajuv.com to learn more or buy.

To buy Neutrogena Skin iD, click the button and go directly to their site.

Neutrogena Skin iD is available to buy on their company website.  They offer a trial purchase price that is around $40.  We urge you to read the whole review and info before buying Skin iD

Main active ingredients in Skin iD

Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid

What we say about Skin iD

Neutrogena is clearly an established name within the skin care industry and one would expect a quality product, especially with the kind of marketing dollars they are spending.  It is difficult to find much information about how these product will treat your acne or what science it is based upon.  Most of the information revolves around the fact that you get to answer questions and you will get your skin ID which indicates which products you need.    Once you examine it a bit closer you realize that it is really just another combination of Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid, two active ingredients that are widely considered harsh and damaging to your skin.

As active ingredients these are some of the harshest that there is.  Often times users will develop skin reactions to them and they have been linked to some long term use damage that can be as severe as skin cancer.  This is a difficult tradeoff to make when treating acne, but their use is certainly not new and many consumers consider it a reasonable risk if it works.

In our testing, unfortunately, the results we saw were minimum.  Some had better experiences with the product than others and those who did claimed that their skin was cleared and that after the blemishes eventually disappeared their skin did remain a bit clearer.  Our findings suggested that the majority of users would find a rapid drying of their skin in the first few days.  A few days afterwards they found that the acne began to reappear and in some cases came back more harsh.  Others felt that the products drying was damaging the skin and causing acne scars.

Overal take on Neutrogena Skin iD

This is a well publicized product and it will continue to be used and for some it may be the answer that they have been looking for.  For the rest of us, this is another three product system that promises the world and very few of us get the results we heard about from the celebrities.  This is moderately priced, and it is an interesting gimmick, but in the end you will find that there are far more effective products out there to purchase, so don’t go tattooing your Skin ID on your body just yet.  Chances are you will be using another acne treatment before long.

The second phase of this system is the Herbal formula that supposedly helps your skin combat acne breakouts better.  It is always difficult to review a pill, as it either deliver results or it doesn’t.  This pill doesn’t.  We did not find any evidence that either our body was fighting off acne any better, nor that there was a reduction in acne breakouts.  Herbal pills are not regulated with any sort of comforting guidelines and you never know what you are taking and this description was a bit too vague for our liking.  No side effects were noted, however no results were contributed to this product either.

Lastly, the Skin Protection cream is designed to nourish and replenish your skin and increase overall health.  The problem with protection creams and healing creams is that they are generally needed to counteract the damages caused by the other part of the acne treatment.  This is the case with harsh chemical based acne treatments and to a lesser degree this product too.  Leaving your skin dry after the first two phases, this last phase is intended to revitalize your skin.  This is a nice cream that nourishes the skin rather well.  A great cream for many uses, however it’s too bad it has to overcome the first two phases or it could probably help your skin’s defense functionality.

Overall

Overall the products are priced a bit on the inexpensive side in comparison to other quality products, although the results are often lacking as well.  The design of these products, the treatment of acne as an anti bacterial at the same time you nourish the skin, was correct, unfortunately the results just don’t live up to the hype.  We are always concerned about orally treated acne solutions and our suspicions are right with this one.  Certainly not the worse acne solution out there, but for the money there are far better results out there.

We were happy to see that this product was guaranteed as so few of them are these days.   But we had some concern based upon this company’s website.  The company almost seems intent on trying to take Proactive customers or they are fixated on knocking down Proactive, perhaps as they are a major company in the industry.  Every acne sufferer deserves to know the draw backs of using a Benzoyl Peroxide based acne treatment, but Proactive is not the only one doing it, so perhaps this company just doesn’t know any better.

Overall

Overall we were somewhat impressed with the product.  It does take a different approach to treating acne than many other products and despite attempting to control oil production, it did not over dry the skin.   The pricing of this product is moderate and is competitive with the more quality products in the industry.  The results we achieved were decent, and there was some reduction in acne breakouts.  To be honest it took a bit longer than we expected but it did deliver some results.   Perhaps that’s why the guarantee is for 60 days rather than some of the quicker working products that offer you a 30 day money back guarantee.  This is a tough one to call.  It is not the best acne treatment that we have seen, but it is definitely in the top tier of products out there.  It kind of is what it is, its not going to make your breakout go away, but it may prevent ones from coming.  If it was only complete enough to treat all symptoms at once this would be a winner, but as of now  we cannot recommend it over the other products that deliver a total acne treatment.

The product itself is rather easy to use and there is no doubt that this approach will kill acne causing bacteria.  The problem becomes the condition of the skin at the time that treatment begins.  So often acne prone skin or severe acne cases have inflamed and irritated skin to begin with.  When a serious attack comes to the bacteria present in your skin, it does not cause a soothing reaction, it causes more trauma.  Trauma to inflamed skin can result in serious long term damage, from acne scars to toughened tissue that visibly changes the surface layers of your skin.

By BenzaClin’s own admission, their product works better on teenagers and it works better on mild to moderate acne and really is not intended for serious acne.  The rapid drying of the skin appear effective early on, however with time breakouts come back and they come back twice as severe.  In addition, it is important to note the potential health concerns regarding the use of Benzoyl Peroxide, it is well documented if you are unaware and a simple search on the internet can be quite revealing.

Overall

We feel that the risks of this product outweigh the benefits.  Sure it will eliminate the acne causing bacteria, but with what regard to surface layer tissue.  Scars and over dried skin are common with the use of BenzaClin, but it will most likely achieve the desired result of no more bacteria.  It is that reason why it is prescribed often as many people want a prescription only product.  The truth, however, is that there are far better acne treatments out there that require only your purchase.  They are better at soothing both damaged tissue as well as treating acne causing bacteria.  Antibiotics are present in many topical ingredients and there is no reason to incur the high cost.  Keep searching unless you know exactly what it is that you are getting with BenzaClin.