How to Find Out if an Acne Treatment is Safe

Are you aware that most acne treatments on the market today could potentially kill you?

Yes, even ones which are “FDA approved” could contain ingredients that are harmful to your health.

Most companies out there (especially name brand ones) fill their products with toxins and poisons to lather up on the largest organ of your body: Your skin!

It’s extremely important to be careful of what you put on your skin, because your skin absorbs it, and it goes into your bloodstream, which then starts circulating all through your body.

Although instant death is rare, many of the chemicals and ingredients found in facial scrubs, washes, cosmetics, and acne treatment products are known to cause a number of health problems. Almost all are known to be carcinogenic (cancer causing) and others are often associated with heavy metal toxicity or can cause lung and asthma problems, as well as a number of neurological and reproductive disorders as well.

At CureAcneHelp.com, we are committed to only reviewing products that have been tested and approved by SafeCosmetics.org.

This means we do not recommend any products that contain these potentially dangerous ingredients:

Acetaldehyde
Alcohol
Alkyl-phenol Ethoxylades
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Aluminum
Ammonium Glycolate
Bentonite
Benzene
Benzoic Acid
Benzoic / Benzyl / Benzene
BHA – BHT
Bronopol
Butylparaben
Carboxymethylcellulose
Coal Tar Dyes (More commonly seen as Blue 1, Green 3,
Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 33)
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coumarin
Diethanolamine
Hydroabietyl Alcohol
Diacetyl
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Dimethicone
Dimethylketone
Disodium EDTA
Elastin
Ethylacrylate
Fluoride
Formaldehyde
Fragrances
Glycolic Acid
High Fructose Corn Syrup/HFCS
Hydrogenated/Partially Hydrogenated Oils
Hydroquinone
Hydroxymethylcellulose
Isobutylparaben
Isoproponal/Isopropyl Alcohol
Kajoic Acid
Kaolin (Clay)
Lacquer
Lye
Magnesium Stearate
Methylisothiazoline, or MIT
Methyl Methacrylate
Methylparaben
Mineral Oil
Monosodium Glutamate/MSG
Neotame
Nitrate
Padimate-O (PABA)
Nitrosamines
Paraffin
PEG (An abbreviation for Polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, and others)
PEG Stearates
PEG-12 Distearate
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
PEG-14M
Petroleum (Petrolatum)
Phenoxyethanol
Phthalates
Polyethylene Glycol /PEG
Polypropylene
Polyscorbate-60
Polyquaternium-7
Potassium Bromate
Propylene Glycol
Propylparaben
Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60
Sodium Chloride
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Sodium Nitrite
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Stearalkonium Chloride
Stearic Acid
Sulfites
Talc
Toluene
Triclosan
Zinc Stearate

There are over 43 dangerous chemicals listed here, and we didn’t even list all of them!

We truly want people to be safer, and healthier, which is why this is not your “typical” acne review type of site. You’ll notice we don’t have any advertisements for products that contain any of the ingredients in this list.

If you want to insure that the product you are using is safe, read the ingredients label to ensure it does not contain any of the above ingredients, as well as check it with the EWG SkinDeep Database.

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It is your first defense in protecting your brain, lungs, heart, and other vital organs. Be careful what you put on it!

Birth Control That Helps Acne?

Reader Question: Is there a birth control pill that can help acne?

Perhaps you have heard of someone taking birth control and it clearing up their acne problems. While it’s not impossible, most birth controls can also have the reverse effect, which is causing acne.

Because some people experience acne due to hormone imbalances, this can explain why birth control may help or worsen acne, since most birth control solutions use hormones. Unfortunately, no birth control will work on two different people the same way. Some people will get terrible acne, others might find their skin more clear. It’s not surprising: Many women find that they get worse acne right before, after, or during their periods. Women who have been pregnant often find the first few months of pregnancy they have a lot of acne issues, even if they’ve been clear most of their lives before.

If you are thinking about taking birth control to help with your acne, you need to do these things:

1. Have your hormone levels and thyroid checked: The only reason to ever take synthetic hormones (such as birth control pills or others) is if you have an imbalance and your doctor recommends it. Because there are many types of birth control pills, and because they work differently and contain different hormones, the only way to know which one would be right, if any, would be to know exactly which hormones you have that are “out of whack”. Too many doctors are all too eager to just hand you whatever free samples they got from the drug company reps – get a doctor who really cares. If you can 100% say that you have a hormone imbalance or thyroid problem, then maybe it is an option to explore.

2. Realize that Birth Control and Skin Care are Different: If birth control worked as a skin care solution, it would be used and marketed as one. However, it is not. Some people find that it can help, but it’s not really a “solution”, especially because once you go off birth control it can make it even worse than ever! You would not use skin cleanser to prevent getting pregnant, and you should not use birth control for skin care. The two are not interchangeable.

3. Understand the Risks: There are a lot of risks with birth control. It can cause depression, severe mood swings, weight gain, yeast infections, cancer, heart attack, stroke. I knew someone personally who had a stroke due to taking birth control. These drugs are dangerous and should not be used.

4. Realize Acne is a Symptom of an Underlying Problem: Birth control is often just a way to treat a symptom – it does not treat or diagnose the real cause of your acne. More often than not, acne is due to toxins built up in the body or food intolerance. By addressing the true cause, it’s much easier to find a permanent solution.

Birth control pills are not a good solution for treating acne. If you’d like to learn the best way to treat your acne, for free, without buying expensive or dangerous medications or skin care products, see our page here.

What Vitamins are Good to Take for Acne Skin?

A frequent question we often are asked is what types of vitamins can someone take that can help reduce acne or if taking a multi-vitamin can help with acne.

Research has shown that in general, any type of synthetic vitamin is worse for you than getting all of your vitamins and minerals naturally from food sources. While there are a few multi-vitamins that claim to be from natural food sources, it’s important to remember that food contains many properties which each help how that vitamin is absorbed, used, and stored within the body. If you extract just the vitamin, it very well may have adverse effects.

So while you should NEVER take vitamins unless directed by a physician, as they usually do more harm than good, you can eat a number of foods that are rich in the vitamins and nutrients your body needs for clearer skin.

Here are some of the best ways to incorporate more vitamins in your diet to help you have clearer skin:

Vitamin A

Vitamin A supplements are extremely dangerous and toxic in high amounts, so you need to take much caution. We do not recommend taking Vitamin A supplements at all. Taking too much vitamin A in supplements will cause dry skin, hair loss, and headaches, amongst other more serious problems. Eating foods that are rich in vitamin A however will never cause you any problems because it is not synthetic and is absorbed correctly by the body.

You should eat: Carrots, Red Peppers, Papaya, Sweet Potatoes, and Leafy Greens such as kale, spinach, and romaine lettuce, and Canteloupe.

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E is also a good vitamin to get naturally from foods for healthier and vibrant skin. It is especially good for those who are prone to acne scars.

Some of the foods we recommend for getting vitamin E:  Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds and oils, almonds, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, mango, tomatoes and kiwi.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can also be beneficial for acne. It reduces the toxicity in your body (which can cause poor digestion leading to skin flare ups to occur), as well as has many healing properties. While you can safely take Vitamin C supplements usually, it is still better to get vitamin C through natural forms because many supplements again are synthetic and not as beneficial and some may have fillers or ingredients/toxins in them that can cause problems to get worse not better.

Foods high in Vitamin C: Strawberries, cherries, citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc.), Papayas, Kiwi, Peppers, Melons, Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Zinc

Zinc can also be very good for your skin, but again is a mineral you do not want too much of.  Zinc is also not always absorbed by the body unless taken in conjunction with magnesium. Zinc deficiencies can sometimes cause skin disorders.

List of Foods High in Zinc: toasted wheat germ, oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, and peanuts.

Omega 3

This is an essential fatty acid for brain function and overall health. While I do not recommend supplements due to an often high level of mercury in them, you can find it in plenty of excellent food sources, such as free range eggs (packages will generally have information on this), as well as salmon and tuna, raspberries, walnuts, and many other foods.

If you are struggling with acne and want to see a noticeable difference after only a few weeks, the best thing to do is to forget looking for a solution that can be popped as a pill and start eating real, healthy foods that will give your body what it needs to be healthy naturally.

Makeup That is Good for Acne Problem Skin

Because many people ask which types of makeup are good for acne prone skin, we’ve decided to create this page which can help you make the right choice for you. Many cosmetics, especially foundations and powders, can cause problems for those who are prone to acne. While there is no “best makeup for acne prone skin” (as ideally you should use no makeup) there are many things you can do in choosing which one to use and using it correctly to avoid acne problems.

Our Recommendations for Choosing Makeup

In general, it does not matter whether you have oily or dry skin, or a combination type, if you follow our recommendations. Below are some of the things to look for in what type of makeup to use:

Non Pore Clogging: In general, you should always try to look for makeup that is labeled as noncomedogenic, which means it will not clog your pores. Applying makeup all over your skin can often cause issues with pores becoming clogged, and bacteria getting trapped, which then results in pimples and blemishes. By choosing makeup that will not clog pores, you are less likely to see problems when using it.

Non-Toxic Makeup: While it’s getting better, most makeup and health and beauty items are extremely dangerous for your health, not just your skin. You can’t trust labeling or packaging that says “non-toxic” or “natural” or “hypoallergenic”. Vague ingredients such as “fragrance” are also very alarming.

Choose a Good Mineral Makeup: There are a lot of makeups which claim to be “mineral makeup” or “all natural” but most of these are no more than traditional makeup with minerals or natural ingredients added. True mineral or natural makeup is only made of a few ingredients and does not contain any chemicals, dyes, fillers, or otherwise synthetic ingredients. It provides excellent coverage, but still allows for skin to breathe, which is important to reduce acne. A good mineral makeup should list ingredients that end in the prefix -ioxide – ones which contain stearates may be bad for your health! Be sure to also make sure that the makeup does not include bismuth or aluminum. Some makeups use nano-sized particles, which you should also try and avoid.

Research Your Makeup: It’s recommended that before using anything on your skin that you first check it at SafeCosmetics.org. While not exactly the best way to find products, it does allow you to research these products based on their safety.

The best way to avoid makeup causing acne is to not wear makeup at all – but we know that many people like wearing makeup. So, if you take the steps above to find a safe mineral makeup for your skin, then you need to learn how to apply it correctly to avoid acne from makeup:

Use the Right Tools: The right or wrong makeup brushes and applicators makes all the difference. Some brushes can cause increased irritation, while others make it difficult to apply your makeup correctly. You may need to experiment with different sizes, shapes, and textures, but it is worth finding the best makeup applicators for you that works.

Clean Your Face Before You Apply and Before Bed: Wearing makeup everyday is not recommended, but if you insist on wearing it, be sure that you thoroughly clean your face before applying it, and make sure to also clean your face before going to bed at night as well.

Take Days Off: You do not need to wear makeup every day, and you shouldn’t! Your skin is one of your body’s largest organs – and exposing it to certain things each and every day, can be bad for your health!

While we cannot offer any product recommendations at this time because we’ve been unable to find a product which meets our standards for being the best makeup for acne prone skin, we do hope this information will help you find the best choice for you in choosing a makeup that is good for your skin and your body.

Could Your Tap Water Be Contributing to Your Acne?

Water is supposed to cleanse and be good for your skin and your health, right?

Well, if you are one of the millions of Americans using public water, it could possibly be making your problems with acne worse.

I thought this was kind of ridiculous the first time I heard it. Water? How in the world?

But think about it: tap water is treated with a number of chemicals to ensure it is safe to drink. And while these chemicals are absolutely a necessity, for some with sensitive skin, they can cause some problems. There is another issue with tap water however, not just for washing your face with, but for drinking as well.

Tap water, because it has been treated with a number of chemicals, often loses many of the healthy vitamins and minerals that it needs. While purified water on occasion may help with detoxification, it should never be drunken regularly, which unfortunately is often the case. When you purify tap water (through in home water purification systems) – it can actually cause your body to be more “acid” which in turn can then cause more sebum to be produced, which causes more acne and so on.

So, What Kind of Water Should I Drink Then?

While it may be tempting to go to the store to buy bottled water, it’s important to remember that most bottled water from the store (including many name brands, no matter what their names may suggest otherwise) – is really nothing more than the same thing as tap water in your sink or it may even be purified water, which has no vitamins or minerals. Purified water is found in nearly all commercial beverages, such as soda, tea, and yes, bottled water too.

While ionized water is a one step ahead of purified water, it is still not ideal because it is not the “real” thing either and home systems can be costly to install and maintain. The best type of water for your skin (and for drinking!) is pure mineral water that came out of a spring. Mineral water can be a little more difficult to find, but it is well known for being much better for you. Think about all of the mineral springs in the world which are believed to have “healing” properties – it’s quite likely you may even have mineral springs locally near your area.

Mineral water is also available at many stores as well – just be sure to check the labels and research the company who makes it to ensure it is indeed mineral spring water and not just some sort of gimmicky packaging.

Obviously, you shouldn’t expect any short term solutions instantly by switching to mineral water, but I think this could definitely help in conjunction with other natural skin care treatments and diet over the long run for clear, natural and healthy skin.

What do you think? Does tap water cause acne? Have you tried adding mineral water to your diet and using for washing your face? What sort of results have you had?

Acne Scar Cream: Does it Work?

There are many different acne scar cream products out there that promise to get rid of acne scars – however most wonder if it works or not before trying it.

The first thing to realize is that there are four different types of acne scars and each type is caused from different reasons. Icepick, box, and rolling scar types are due to the skin not producing enough regeneration tissue to help it heal completely. Hypertrophy scars are due to an excess of the tissue being formed.

When it comes to attempting to reduce or heal scarring with creams and lotions, it is important to start early at the first sign of scarring rather than waiting later. This is because early on your skin is still in the healing process – after ward it may be too late to make a difference.

The most beneficial of creams and lotions are those that contain Vitamin A and Vitamin E which both help with healing. Some have found that using shea butter products can be a natural way to help moisturize, heal, and protect the skin. Other ingredients that aid in the healing of scar tissue include enzymes, amino acids, and other different elements that have healing and inflammatory reduction properties.

When choosing a product for you, it’s important that you carefully assess the different types of treatment, and speaking to a dermatologist may be necessary to diagnose the type of scarring you have and the best method of reducing and eliminating it. In addition to the many lotions and creams available, there are also many different procedures that can help, such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser therapy.

If after consulting with a doctor and you still believe that trying a cream for acne scarring, then you will want to research carefully what type to use. Here are some things to look out for:

Is It Pore-Clogging? You will want to make sure that the product you choose will not cause clogged pores, as this could not only cause the condition to be worse, but also possibly cause additional breakouts on the surface of your skin.

Will it Dry the Skin Out? Just as too oily of a product can cause pimples, too dry of skin can also cause problems. Dry skin and dead skin cells can cause bacteria to become trapped which causes the breakouts to occur.

Is the Company Legitimate & Reputable? There are a lot of fly by night miracle product making companies out there, and you need to be careful with whom you deal with. Not all products have been tested or approved by the FDA. Be sure that when choosing a product it is a company that is legitimate and has a reputation of quality products and satisfied customers.

Allergy Concerns: If you have any sensitivities to nuts or other products, always use caution when trying any lotion of any type, as there may be some traces of things that can cause allergic reaction in some people. For example, shea butter is generally safe for most people but it is advised that those with latex allergies or nut allergies to avoid it.

If you do your homework and research the products you are considering carefully to try you can greatly increase your success with this possible treatment option.

Do you have any experiences using acne scar cream? What has or hasn’t worked for you? Sharing your comments below is always welcomed and will greatly help others with the same concerns who visit our site.

How to Get Rid of Acne Fast

Almost everybody wants to know how to get rid of acne fast. Whether you’ve got a special event you’ve been looking forward to and s0 naturally a giant zit has appeared just in the nick of time or maybe you’ve tried the slow methods and lost patience, everyone would like an instant results type of secret formula.

Unfortunately, there are not as many ways to get rid of acne quickly as we’d like. Many may try a lot of the usual methods only to be disappointed that it may not have had any serious real effect on the outcome or shown the results they were hoping for. This can be very discouraging and causes many people to believe that they simply are stuck with acne no matter what they try to do to get rid of it.

It’s easy to understand why you want to lose it quickly. Just about everyone has become interested in doing things that fastest way as possible. We don’t want to wait. We don’t have patience. We want it all and we want it now.

So what to do? Is there really any way to get rid of it fast? Can you make pimples just disappear instantly in any way shape or form?

The problem with most remedies and cures that you will read and learn about is that they work for certain types of acne. Because there are many different causes as to why a breakout or a blemish might occur not all treatments are effective.  To cure it the most effectively, you need to know the real reason behind why it has occurred.

For most breakouts, it is due to bacteria becoming trapped in the pores in your skin. The bacteria may cause it to turn white, red, or black. Sometimes it can not only be a distraction or unsightly, it can be painful as well, especially as in the case of acne cysts.

In chronic conditions that happen regularly, constantly, or very frequently, it is important to look at what the underlying cause for the bacteria to be trapped in the skin may be. For some it could be a sign of a more serious condition such as a hormonal imbalance or other disorders. This is why if you are very concerned about your skin you should always speak to a dermatologist who can assess the condition of your skin and perform any necessary tests that can out rule the possibilities of any other problems causing the breakouts to occur.

If the problem is a rare occurrence or does not happen frequently, then it is usually just a normal part of life for most people – and sometimes spot treatment will work just fine. There are a number of commercial applications, lotions, creams, and scrubs that can work, but there are also many home remedies as well. Of the home remedies the most common ones are to use a salt scrub made with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, mild cleanser, and water to wash the face and then apply a drying agent such as toothpaste or baking soda paste to the spot. While this is as pretty much as natural as it gets, you should of course take into consideration what type of skin you have and be aware if there is any possibility existing of allergic reaction or irritation that may occur. Some may also apply an antibiotic ointment to the spot which can also help soothe the skin if it is painful. There is also no guarantee that this will actually work for all people or skin types, especially if the blemish is severe.

Most over the counter treatments that exist will likely contain some combination of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. However, these do not always clear up breakouts as fast as most would like and can also cause excessive drying or irritation in some people.

If you are concerned about your skin, we can’t stress enough the importance of talking to your doctor about any concerns that you have regarding your health. Many people believe that acne is just a regular part of life – but with the proper medical care it can be reduced dramatically helping you feel and look your best.

Have you tried any treatments to help with getting rid of acne fast? Share your comments and experiences with us below.

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars

If you are interested in how to get rid of acne scars, it helps to understand the different types to best understand what treatment options are available and how they work for acne scar removal. Every person is different and everyone will see different results from the various treatments available.

Acne scars happen as the skin’s natural reaction to injury to the skin tissue. There are four main types: Icepick, Boxcar, Rolling, and Hypertrophic, which you can see examples of in the diagram below. Some scarring results from the skin not producing enough regenerative tissue, others form due to an excess of tissue being formed.

get rid of acne scars

Because each of the scars occur for different reasons and the shape of them is different, it is logical that some will respond to different treatments better than others.

There are a few natural home remedies that one can try, though they often do not completely cure the condition or remove them completely. These include drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet, which is believed to cause skin to be better at healing. Other natural remedies include using face masks of yogurt or lemon juice. However, for most people these natural remedies will not have any impact on the scarring present on their skin, at which point it becomes imperative to talk to a dermatologist.

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes specifically in skin care and skin conditions.  He or she can assess the damage done to your skin and help you decide with what available options may be best for treating your skin and getting rid of the scarring. Choosing a doctor that is experienced and can give many examples of what has worked and what has not worked can help you narrow down the choices to find one that is most likely to be effective first.

Before beginning professional treatment after talking to your doctor, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions, since many of the options available may be very expensive or require surgical procedures. With all medical intervention, there are pros and cons as well as risks and benefits. Before committing to a decision, carefully researching and understanding the risks and benefits will help you decide if it is worth it or not. You will also want to check with your insurance company to see which procedures are covered and which are not, as this may also affect your decision, especially if out of pocket costs are high or out of your budget.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • Do the scars affect how I feel about myself?
  • Do the scars cause any pain?
  • Do I feel subconscious around others because of them?
  • Do I have any underlying medical conditions that may be complicated by acne scar removal treatments?
  • How will I feel if the first treatment does not work?
  • Is the treatment affordable?
  • Will they fade and heal on their own over time?

Below is a brief overview of the different treatments available for how to get rid of acne scars:

Subcision: This treatment is typically done for rolling types of scars and it is performed by causing the skin to raise and fill in the indentation. This is best for shallow scars and may require multiple treatments in order to see an effect.

Chemical Peels: Chemical Peels work by taking an acidic substance and applying it directly to the face to remove the top layer of skin to help reduce the appearance of scarring. It may help with scars that are not extremely deep, but it can also result in burning or itching skin.

Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion for acne can sometimes be helpful. In this procedure, an abrasive is applied to the skin which removes the top layer of skin. It is generally painless, but may result in burning or itching. Multiple treatments may be necessary, and it can take several months to see results. However, it is a popular option amongst many, and even home kits are available.

Laser Resurfacing: Like the other treatments we listed above, this is another one involving the removal of the top layer of skin. It uses lasers to do this and must be performed by a qualified specialist. This can be one of the most expensive types of treatments available – but it does not guarantee any better results that the other ones do. Some people have reported that their scars have returned, which can be frustrating.

The Many “Miracle” Creams: You will likely see a lot of advertisements for miracle creams that reduce or remove acne scars, however there has been little proof that these are actually effective. Some contain harsh chemicals that may actually do more damage to your skin than good. Ones that contain cocoa butter or vitamin E may help with improving elasticity and helping to treat with some types of scars, but this is not always the case. Some creams may result in drying of the skin or clogging of pores, which could potentially make many acne problems even worse.

Collagen Injection: In this treatment, collagen, a natural substance, is injected into the site of the abrasion and may help it to stretch or fill some sites. Treatment by this option may only be temporary for a few months.

Fat Transfer: This treatment involves taking fat from one site of your body tissue and transferring it into the site where the scarring is present. It often needs to be repeated every few months but can be an effective option.

As you can see, there are no easy and instant cures for how to get rid of acne scars. Prevention may be one of the best cures – seeking treatment before the occurrence of scarring. Speaking to your doctor or dermatologist will help you find the most beneficial solution for skin care needs.

Milk of Magnesia as Acne Treatment

Milk of Magnesia is a milky type of liquid that is made from magnesium hydroxide. Most commonly known as a treatment as a laxative or antacid, some attention has been brought to it for using milk of magnesia as acne treatment. It is sold over the counter and is available in either liquid or capsule form in most pharmacies and health store venues.

Those who have used this home remedy for treatment before have had some success in using it, especially if their skin is very oily. Those with dry skin may want to avoid the treatment, as it will likely excessively dry the skin out and possibly cause itching, burning, or rash like results. (As can all possible acne cures may.)

The drying effect of using the product can help those with oily skin have some success in drying it out. Oily skin makes it most likely for bacteria to become trapped underneath the skin cells that can result in breakouts and pimples.

When you are using milk of magnesium for treating acne and pimples, you’ll want to make sure that you apply it topically only. This means do not eat it, unless you want to have a sick stomach! It is a laxative, so unless you need a laxative, it’s definitely not something you want to take! You will be spending most of the day in the bathroom most likely if you do that. Fortunately, using it topically as a treatment does not have the same effects.

To use it, you will want to take a small cotton ball and dip it into the milk of magnesia liquid. Make sure you shake it up before using. Then carefully apply it all over your face, taking care not to get any of it in your eyes. You will want to let it dry, which can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes and then carefully wash it off. After you rinse it off you will not likely need to do anything else, but you may add a moisturizer if you are prone to very dry skin.

If you are trying it for the first time, you will likely want to wait a few times before applying it to your skin to make sure you do not have any harsh reactions to it. If your skin is very dry, it is likely that it could make the problems worse or cause such dry skin the potential discomfort from that does not justify the small possibility of benefit available. Be sure that if you have any severe reactions to using it that you contact your physician.

If after a few applications your skin seems to be responding well to it and you have not noticed any side effects of using it, then you can increase the frequency of the amount of times you use it. You can use it up to once a day if it does not cause too much dryness. However, if it does cause too much irritation than you should reduce the amount of times you use it.

Using natural remedies is just one of the many possible ways to cure acne. The best treatment for severe cases is to usually pinpoint the exact cause and speak with a dermatologist. Treating skin conditions is often something that can be a process of trial and error, as everyone is different. While milk of magnesia as acne treatment may work for some people with much success, others may need to look into alternative ways to care for their skin.

Yogurt for Treating Acne

Most people would not consider using yogurt for treating acne, but some have seen improved results by using it as a regimen for curing their skin conditions. Of course, there are others who have seen their acne get much worse from milk and dairy products as well.

Yogurt, which is basically a cultured dairy product available in most grocery stores, is believed to be both a natural astringent which also can have moisturizing properties as it is rich in vitamins and minerals that can be good for your skin.

Yogurt is created when milk is fermented and the properties of milk are changed by helpful bacteria that create lactic acid. The high acid content of yogurt in conjunction with naturally high ph levels make it helpful in killing the bad bacteria that causes breakouts on your skin.

Because it does contain helpful bacteria it can also be helpful in combating a build up of yeast which can sometimes overstimulate sebaceous glands.

The most important thing is to choose organic, natural yogurt that does not have any artificial flavorings or sweeteners.

Of course, the first question is “how much should I eat?” There’s not a right or wrong answer to this, but it does help to know that the USDA recommends only 2-3 servings of dairy products per day. For this reason, we don’t recommend going over 2-3 cups of yogurt per day. It is likely that eating just 2 cups of it per day can make a small difference over time. There are also yogurt probiotic drinks that are supposed to aid in digestion that you can also try if you would prefer that over the custard cups versions.

Another thing that is popular is to create a yogurt face mask to use once a week in helping to cure acne and other skin blemishes. By pasting plain yogurt on your skin and allowing it to sit there for 5-10 minutes before washing it off it can directly work its magic on your skin. Be sure you use the plain version without any sugar or fruits added, as that can be a sticky mess if you are not careful! You will also want to make sure that you very thoroughly clean the yogurt off your face – it is not recommended to leave it on any longer than 15 minutes and if you do not clean it off completely it could actually irritate skin problems further.