Acne is a skin condition that effects mostly the teens, but it also can be seen in adults. It is not life threatening, but it is a stressful situation.

Acne occurs when hair follicles became plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes:

• Whiteheads;
• Blackheads;
• Pimples.

Acne typically appears in your face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders because this areas of skin have most oil glands.

What causes acne?

There can be a lot of factors which cause or trigger acne. Let mention some of them.

Causes:

1. Excess oil production.
2. Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells.
3. Bacteria.
4. Inflammation.

Triggers:

1. Hormonal changes – androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge to make more sebum.
2. Medications like corticosteroids, testosterone and lithium.
3. Diet – carbohydrate rich foods may worsen acne.
4. Stress doesn’t cause acne, but if you have acne it makes it worse.

Little effect on acne has:

1. Chocolate and greasy foods.
2. Hygiene.
3. Cosmetics.

How to treat acne?

Having pimples, blackheads, whiteheads in your face is stressful. You are always thinking why I have acne, why do I look like this, are the others going to make fun of me, why I don’t have a clear skin etc.

Treating acne is hard but not impossible. It may require a lot of time and patient.

The first thing we all do before seeing a dermatologist is trying to solve the problem by ourselves, at home, with home remedies.

Here is a list with some home remedies that you can use to treat acne:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar is made by fermenting apple cider. It fights bacteria and fungi. It contains acid citric and other organic acids useful in killing P.acnes. Research has shown that succinic acid suppresses inflammation and may prevent scarring, while lactic acid improves the appearance of acne scars. Be careful while using apple cider vinegar because sometimes it may cause irritation of the skin.

Advice: Mix one part of apple cider vinegar and three parts of water. Clean the skin and apply the mixture using a cotton ball. Leave it for 20 seconds and then rinse with water. Pat it dry.

2. Zinc supplements: zinc is a mineral that is important for cell growth, hormone production, immune function and metabolism. Research indicates that people with acne has lower levels of zinc in their blood. Taking zinc orally may help reduce acne. The dosage is not established yet but, it may be from 30 – 45 mg per day. Taking zinc supplements may give stomach pain or gut irritation in some people.

3. The combination of honey and cinnamon has two positive effects: fights bacteria and reduces inflammation. This combination is seen to be effective in the fight against P.acnes.

Advice: Mix two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of cinnamon till you form a paste. Clean the face, apply the mask, leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes and rinse it off.

4. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia. It is known to fight bacteria and reduce skin inflammation. Tea tree oil is very potent. Always dilute it before applying.

Advice: Mix one part of tea tree oil and 9 parts of water. Apply with a cotton pad in the affected areas. Apply a moisturizer after if desired. You can use it once or twice per day.

5. Aloe Vera is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It may reduce the appearance of acne and prevent acne breakouts. Aloe Vera contains a lot of water and is an excellent moisturizer.

6. Green tea contains high concentrations of polyphenols with antioxidant properties. It may help to clear out some waste that has built up in open acne sores. Green tea helps to:

• reduce the production of sebum in the skin;
• reduce P.acnes;
• reduce inflammation.

Green tea may help either when people drink it or use green tea extract on their skin.

For a good face mask against acne you can mix it with honey.

Advice: Teep a green tea bag in hot water for about 3 minutes. Remove the bag and let it cool. Open the bag and extract the leaves than add the honey to the leaves. Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat it dry. Apply the honey and green tea mixture to your face and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.

7. Echinacea Purpurea is a plant that may contain compounds that fight viruses and bacteria. It boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation. People take Echinacea supplements or use creams that contain Echinacea.

What industry offers?

Nowadays there are a lot of products that you can use, but choose carefully. You should have a soap/cleanser that is specific for oily skin. The moisturizer, the sun protection cream should be specific for acne prone skin. Choose oily free products.

If this is not enough your dermatologist may advice and prescribe you a local treatment with antibiotic or oral antibiotic.

What we offer?

Daja Pharmacy offers an hand made galenic formulation that is cheap and effective against acne. This lotion is made in Pharmacy Daja’s lab.

The solution contains salicylic acid, antibiotic and alcohol. It fights against bacteria and reduces inflammation.

It can be applied easily with a cotton pad only on acne, after washing your face.

Be patient. Treating acne is difficult but not impossible.