Acne is a skin disorder that is caused by an imbalance in the function of the oil glands beneath the skin. In most cases acne takes place due to an inflammation of the sebaceous glands thus causing the pores of the skin to get clogged. Due to the imbalance and the inflammation of the glands, too much oil or sebum is produced and due to the clogged pores, acne is formed in the form of whiteheads, pimples or blackheads.
One of the best ways of preventing and treating acne is to begin on a cleansing diet that can help the body to get rid of the toxins present in it. Cleansing the skin daily can also help in cleaning the skin pores and eliminating harmful bacteria on the skin. A natural antiseptic and antibiotic known as tea tree oil is highly effective against acne and can be used in place of benzoyl peroxide.
Acne is also caused due to skin irritation and allergies towards certain foods or cosmetics. It is important to make a note of the timing for any correlation between an outbreak of acne and, any new diet being followed, or any new cosmetic being used for the first time. If so, it would help to avoid the new cosmetic or new foods in the diet in order to quell the acne outbreak. Certain allergens such as milk or dairy products, refined carbohydrates, certain types of seafood such as lobsters, oysters, clams, crabs and squid, carbonated beverages, chocolate and candies among others are known to cause acne in most people. A dermatologist usually recommends a skin allergy test or blood test to help detect allergies, before suggesting medications.
Maintain a low-fat high fiber diet in order to flush out the toxins from the body. A regular consumption of more than 8 oz of water daily is also highly recommended in getting rid of harmful toxins that may be causing the acne outbreak.
Do not attempt to pop the whiteheads or the acne as it may cause permanent scarring. Squeezing the inflamed part of the skin can cause secondary infections and is not likely to help get rid of the outbreak. Certain factors such as physical and mental distress, exposure to the sun, seasonal and climatic changes are external elements that can influence an acne outbreak. In such cases it is necessary to wear a good sunscreen while travelling outdoors in order to prevent sun related acne and pigmentation.
Another popular home remedy for treating acne is zinc. Medical research reveals that zinc is highly effective and has as much healing properties as antibiotic medications in treating acne. However zinc can lead to scarring and hence care must be taken during a topical application of zinc based creams or ointments.
