Is Benzoyl Peroxide Safe?

Because I help those who suffer from acne obtain clear skin I hear this question on a regular basis.  Benzoyl peroxide has been utilized for over 50 years for many different things.  It has been proven to be one of the most effective topical products on the market for clearing acne.  The concern is that it might cause premature aging.  There is very little research to prove this fact.  Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most effective topical agents available to help clear acne.  This is because it has an antibacterial effect.  Bacteria cannot thrive where oxygen is present.  It also exfoliates the skin, helping to clear the pore of dead skin cells which contribute to acne lesions (pimples).

There are some common side effects when using benzoyl peroxide like dryness or peeling, tight skin, redness or burning and itching.  All of these can be diminished by using benzoyl peroxide in the correct manner, applying an effective moisturizer that DOES NOT clog the pores and making sure your water intake is sufficient.

Seek the help of a skin care specialist to guide you through the process of clearing your acne.  If done properly, you can have clear skin and keep it clear through proper use of effective products.

Contact Faces Plus today and get clear!

Why Is It Important to Follow An Acne Regimen?

The old saying goes:  Nothing in Life is Free.  This is so true.  If you want something badly enough, you make the decision to do the hard work to obtain it.

Treating acne is no different.  Most acne treatments fail because the acne sufferer fails to stick with the regimen provided.  Following the guidelines provided by your acne specialist will assure that your acne clears.  In some cases your acne may clear sooner than you expected.

Treating acne takes determination, dedication and patience.  Your acne did not appear overnight and it will not clear overnight.  Understanding what is occurring within your skin is one key component to being dedicated and patient while treating your acne.  Communication with your acne specialist is another key component to clearing your acne.  Changing your regimen on your own usually leads to disappointment.  Your skin will change drastically while treating acne.  Having an acne specialist on your team can help you stick with your regimen and get you through the rough times.  There will be dryness and irritation, however, working with an acne specialist can minimize these side effects.

I find that the clients who are compliant and patient receive the best results.  Those who want immediate results usually struggle and some eventually fail at obtaining clear skin.

Find an acne specialist, educate yourself by asking questions and follow the regimen given to you by your acne specialist.  You can have acne free skin!

Make-up and Acne

One of the worst things an acne sufferer can do is wear make-up.  Liquid make-up and most compacts are not good choices.  If you’re going to wear make-up stick to water-based or glycerin-based products. 

Most acne sufferers love to wear a popular make-up because it is known to effectively cover acne lesions.  However, all it does is add to the problem.  When treating acne the pore is constantly being cleared of dead skin cells and oil buildup.  Applying a make-up containing pore clogging ingredients only exacerbates the acne by clogging the pore again.  Your acne specialist can make recommendations for you.

You MUST check the ingredients against a list of pore cloggers provided by your acne specialist before purchasing over-the-counter products as manufacturers are always changing their ingredients.

Using loose mineral powders is your best choice.  These can help eliminate the oily shine that most acne sufferers are “blessed” with.  High quality mineral make-ups have anti-inflammatory properties which can help with the redness acne sufferers may encounter.  They also provide great coverage.  There are many videos on the Internet on how to properly build coverage with loose minerals. 

Most blushes are filled with pore cloggers.

Eye make-up is not usually a problem for acne sufferers but be aware of make-up removers and skin wipes.  The majority of skin wipes on the market contain pore clogging ingredients.

Lip products can cause problems for acne sufferers.  They usually contain many comedogenic (pore clogging) ingredients.  The problem with lip products is that they travel from the lip area.  The wax in lip products is not the problem, it is the oils.  Make sure the oils in your lip products are something simple like castor oil, mineral oil or petrolatum rather than isopropyl myristate.  A good choice is petroleum jelly or Aquaphor.

Why Is My Acne Not Going Away?

There is no cure for acne but you can control it.  If  you are struggling to get clear and stay clear there are several things to look at.  

Using your products consistently and exactly as your acne specialist instructs you is key.  Topical products can effectively keep you clear if you are consistent.  If you skip your routine, even every now and then, you will struggle to get clear and stay that way.  

If you tend to run out of products often and have to go a few days without treating you allow new comedones to form and they will eventually reach the surface and show up on your skin.

If you change your routine without consulting your acne specialist you could cause skin irritation that may result in missed days of product usage.

If you choose to use non-recommended products that contain pore cloggers you will struggle to get clear.

Following all the lifestyle suggestions from your acne specialist is crucial to maintain clear skin.  The are some things to pay attention to:  

Avoid dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, milk and whey

Avoid soy in all forms

Avoid peanut butter, peanut oil and corn oil

Avoid vitamins and supplements containing iodides, potassium, kelp and biotin

Do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets

Avoid sushi and seaweed, especially shell fish such as shrimp, crab, lobster and scallops

Avoid iodized salt

Get enough sleep and reduce your stress

Avoid friction on your skin such as wearing hats, helmets, holding your phone between your shoulder and your face, etc.

Avoid low-dose birth control pills

Discuss any prescription drugs you are taking with your acne specialist

Faces Plus Skin Care and Acne Clinic has successfully helped many acne sufferers get clear and stay clear.  Call today and allow us to assist you.

What Do I Do Now That My Acne is Clear?

When a client who suffers from acne asks "When can I stop doing this?" there is no easy answer.

When I inform an acne sufferer that I cannot tell them when they can stop treating, the look on their face is one of horror.  Every acne sufferer will grow out of it, we just do not know what age that is for each individual.  Once an acne sufferer has attained clear skin and it remains clear for at least 6 months they can sometimes reduce the strength of their products.  If they were on a 5% benzoyl peroxide, they might be able to begin using a 2.5% strength.  If they were using a peeling agent twice a day they may try once a day.  If the acne begins to return, they should go back to using the stronger skin care routine.  Acne is a frustrating, inherited disease that takes determination, dedication and patience to clear, BUT IT CAN BE CLEARED.

The Mystery of BB Creams

Do you know what BB cream stands for?  I was not sure so I researched it.  BB cream stands for blemish balm, blemish base, beblesh balm or beauty balm.  These balms are mainly sold in Asia and are making a strong mark in the Western market.

Apparently, they are an all-in-one facial product purported to replace serums, moisturizers, primers, foundations and sun blocks.  They come in a variety of formulations. 

As a licensed aesthetician and acne expert this immediately causes my skepticism to rise.  No product is a wonder product and can solve all skin concerns.  If a product claims to treat acne, wrinkles, be anti-inflammatory, soothing and provide intense moisture it would have so many ingredients in it you wouldn’t be able to afford it and it might possibly have the cure to cancer with all those chemicals in it.  When products are created the manufacturer is responsible for listing the ingredients on the packaging.  This is called an ingredient deck.  The lower the ingredient is listed on this deck the amount of said ingredient is miniscule.  Hence potentially having no effect whatsoever.  This is actually an entirely different discussion.  But, if the catch phrase on the product says “Vitamin C” but that is the last ingredient in the deck, it probably contains very little.  This is called angel dusting.

Be aware when manufacturers make claims to solve all your skin care concerns with one product.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Acne

If you suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome it is likely you suffer from acne.  This can be a very complicated issue and you should research it thoroughly before choosing the treatment path that fits you and your lifestyle.

PCOS involves the female reproductive system and the pancreas, along with insulin resistance and can have many different symptoms for each individual sufferer.  Physicians generally will prescribe an oral drug called metformin or various birth control pills.  As with any prescribed drug there can be side effects. 

If you suffer from PCOS and are not interested in taking oral drugs strictly monitoring your diet can help.  Eating a diet that is organic, rich in whole grains and eliminating simple carbohydrates, dairy and foods containing “white” carbs can allow you to control your PCOS without oral drugs.

If you think you suffer from PCOS consult your physician and do your research.  Check out this web site for help.  http://www.pcos.insulitelabs.com.

If you have acne along with the PCOS you can clear your acne without drugs.  The right topical agents, used religiously and in the right regimen will have your skin clear in 3 months.