Benzoyl peroxide is probably the most common acne fighting
ingredient found in over the counter topical gels, creams and
face washes.

This chemical mixture can be fairly effective topically in
treating very mild acne in my opinion, but it just doesn’t cut
it for more severe acne that is usually related to hormonal
imbalances or high stress levels in adults.

This more severe and “deeply rooted” cystic-type acne is much
more stubborn and usually requires a more agressive oral
treatment aimed at calming hormones and cleansing the skin from
this inside, so to speak.

Benzoyl peroxide is a solution that acts as an antibacterial
agent, and helps prevent further infection and growth of acne
cysts and postules. The problem with this solution being used on
adults with acne is that adults begin to experience two things
at various ages: wrinkles and thinner skin. Benzoyl peroxide,
while somewhat useful as an acne treatment for adolescents, is
too drying and too irritatin for adult skin.

When I’ve used benzoyl peroxide, it was effective for me only in
one product for spot treatment – Neutrogena acne spot treatment
gel. It helped dry out the blemish, and seemed to keep it from
reforming a whitehead pretty effectively. The drawbacks to
benzoyl peroxide for me were: increased redness and irritation,
excessive dryness and flaking. Many times these side effects
override the benefits, since dry, flaky, red skin can look just
as bad if not worse than the acne itself!

This effect really exacerbated as I got older and tried to use
benzoyl peroxide to treat my adult acne. I learned my lesson the
hard way. One tube and dried out, irritated and “tough” feeling
skin later, I decided I would ditch benzoyl peroxide for good in
favor of more natural and gentle acne clearing products and even
an oral natural acne treatment to help clear up my acne at its
source.

Bottom line, this OTC acne medication can come in handy for some
spot treatment, but I wouldn’t rely on it for serious acne or
any type of cystic acne needing a more serious approach like
internal natural medicine (recommended) or even a dermatologist
prescription.

Trying to find an acne cure can be a daunting and frustrating task for any teen or adult suffering from acne. Too many products on the market today promise to clear up your face, back, and chest with ingredients that can be harmful to your skin and often prove ineffective.

It is important to note that there is no such thing as an acne cure. I don’t want to be the one to burst your bubble, but acne is not a disease that can be cured; it can merely be treated or controlled. However, there are are certain methods and lifestyle changes you can make, both in the way you wash your face and in the way you eat, that can work effectively in treating your acne like a magical acne cure.

Here are three simple lifestyle changes you can implement into your daily life that will help you control your acne:

1. Cleanse, but do not overcleanse: If you’re suffering from acne, one of the most dangerous things you can do to your face is to cleanse it too much. When you cleanse your face, you are washing away oils your body needs, as well as the excess ones it doesn’t need. When you cleanse your face with abrasive materials, or when you cleanse it too often, you will find yourself getting even MORE pimples and breakouts. Why? Because your pores are going into overdrive to replace the oils your face desperately needs to stay normally moisturized.

So how often should you cleanse your face? Most dermatologists recommend you cleanse your face no more than twice a day, usually once in the morning and once at night before going to bed. If you just have a few breakouts, but don’t normally get acne, you can simply cleanse with a gentle bar soap, such as Dove. If you have recurring acne, you should think about looking into an inexpensive acne care system. Personally, I use Proactiv, but I’ve also used Clinique’s facial soap and have seen results as well.

2. Pay attention to what touches your face: Take special note of where your acne occurs on your face. Is it all over, is it on your cheeks, in your T-zone, or just on your forehead? Certain habits you might have often dictate where your acne pops up. For instance, if you find yourself leaning your chin on your hands at your desk at work or school, chances are that you’ll suffer from acne on your chin. If you wear a baseball cap every day, you’ll likely get a lot of acne on your forehead.

If this is the case, start making an effort to stop doing these things, at least until your acne subsides. Start wearing your hat only a couple times a week, instead of every day. If you have bangs, take care that you don’t use scented hairspray or use heavily perfumed shampoo to wash your hair. Simple changes such as these can help stop your skin from getting irritated, thus relieving some of your acne problem.

3. Change your diet just a little: You’ve probably heard doctors tell you on TV that you shouldn’t eat chocolate, French fries, and deep fried or caffeinated foods if you’re looking for an acne cure. While there is some justification for this, cutting out all bad foods won’t completely give you an acne cure. However, you should keep an eye on your diet and regulate your daily intake of these nasties. Don’t drink too much pop (“too much” means you shouldn’t even be drinking one can per day), and watch it on the fast food, boxed Little Debbie treats, and chocolate milkshakes. What you eat really does affect your skin, and when you overeat unhealthy food, acne will be just one of the diseases you’ll suffer.

Making these simple changes in your lifestyle could mean the difference between a clear face and one that needs an acne cure. By following these guidelines, you will be well on your way to improving the look of your skin and ridding yourself of painful, embarrassing acne.

If you think your diet might be causing a problem with your skin, you might find the next best thing to an acne cure at http://www.easyskintreatment.com. I know a lot of people have found relief from their acne by following their guidelines.