Acne guide and solution

Apart from the "seasonal" dry skin of the winter months, acne is the most common skin problem found in teens and young adults. Unfortunately, even if you are seeing a dermatologist on a regular basis, acne can be very difficult to treat. With this in mind, here are three things you can do that may very well surprise you with their effectiveness as an acne spot treatment when you use them in combination.

1. Thoroughly wash, and then dry, areas where acne is present.

You don't need to use a special antibacterial or "health spa" soap, any off-the shelf body soap will be just as effective as the more expensive products. All you need from the soap is that it removes the skin oil barrier, and the dirt and other particles that it has trapped, that have accumulated over the course of the day. Be sure to rise with plenty of water and then to dry the area completely.

2. Use a handheld phototherapy device.

"Phototherapy" refers to the use of light to treat disease. In the case of acne and acne spot treatment, these devices use light from the "blue end" of the light spectrum to both destroy bacteria and to stimulate growth of healthy skin cells. Phototherapy for the treatment of acne has consistently been shown to be just as effective as medication such as Accutane or skin treatments applied by a dermatologist or health spa. There are a number of such devices available for purchase online, or in the "Health and Beauty" section of major national retail chains. For your safety, be sure to follow the instructions for use given on the information sheets that will be included with each product.

3. Make, and use, your own vitamin E moisturizer lotion.

After following the first two steps, your skin will probably be dry. The best way to combat this dryness while, at the same time promoting healthy skin cells, is to use a vitamin E moisturizer lotion that you "make from scratch" every time that you use it.

Making your own vitamin E lotion is far easier than you might think since you only need two ingredients: vitamin E capsules and a bottle of jojoba oil! You can find both items at any health food store and at practically all major pharmacies.

When selecting your vitamin E, make sure that you choose a preparation that contains a high percentage of vitamin E in its natural powder form. You can get this information from the data provided on the packaging on the product or by asking a pharmacist to help you find a suitable product. Make sure that your vitamin E is in the "gel cap" form, where the liquid vitamin E is encased in a soft capsule. When you have both ingredients, follow these simple instructions.

* Measure out 30 ml of jojoba oil. This is equivalent to about 2 tablespoons.
* Stick a pin into the end of a vitamin E gel cap. Squeeze the contents into your 30 ml of jojoba oil and then mix well with something similar to a toothpick.
* Use a cotton ball to softly massage your new lotion into the skin that you have just treated. You only need a thin layer, so you can dispose of any leftover lotion since you will make another "batch" the next time you use it.

And there you have it: a once-a-day acne spot treatment plan that may just surprise you with how effective it can be!

I am a freelance writer and besides conquering acne myself, I regularly research and write about skin care topics such as acne, scarring, moles, warts and the like. For more information, tips, and resources on an acne spot treatment and to uncover the easy-to-follow recommendations, visit us at AcneCouncil.org.

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