Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Different Kinds Of Acne Treatments

When it comes to your skin, the battle against acne may very well be one of the toughest challenges that you will face in your lifetime. Resistant to treatment, severe acne can have devastating consequences both social and cosmetic. Fortunately, though, great strides have been made where acne is concerned, and it has never been easier to get rid of acne than it is today.

There are several different kinds of acne treatments that you can choose from including homemade, store bought and prescribed. If cost is a factor, a homemade acne treatment is your best bet. Many department store products are also fairly inexpensive and bring about great results. So, what's better, homemade or store bought? Nearly 80 percent of people who tried department store acne treatments reported an improvement in their acne condition. Those who chose a homemade acne treatment also reported a great improvement in their skin. This means that personal preference, cost and convenience are the deciding factors.

There are numerous types of homemade acne treatments ranging from the very simple to the complex. Here are just a few examples:

* Witch Hazel - Witch hazel is great to use as an astringent. After cleansing, simply dampen a cotton ball with witch hazel and rub over the surface of the skin.

* Baking Soda - A thick paste of baking soda and warm water will help reduce redness and itching when applied to skin affected by acne.

* Oatmeal - A similar paste of oatmeal makes a great homemade acne treatment.

* Egg White - A masque consisting of one stiffly beaten egg white along with a few drops of witch hazel and lemon juice is also a great treatment.

The last three treatments mentioned should be applied and left to remain on the skin for about 15 minutes. Once enough time has passed, simply wash the solution away with warm water. Witch hazel astringent should be left to evaporate on the skin.

Do these treatments work? As mentioned before, many people have experienced an improvement in their acne condition after using homemade treatments. Keep in mind, though, that not all treatments will work for everyone. If a homemade acne treatment fails to work for you, you should look into other alternatives. As with all treatments, consistency is key. Treatments will have little or no success if you use them only here and there. Be sure to develop a skin care routine and stick with it for the best results.