The best acne treatments will not cure your acne over the long term. Why? Because acne is not simply a skin disorder but a condition caused by changes in the body itself. Acne is an inflammatory condition which can’t be cured by putting harsh products on our face which may trigger more inflammation making the condition worse. We must understand the real cause of acne and treat it from the inside out. Also we need to know which are the best acne treatments which can help temporarily during a severe breakout.

To fully understand why treatments are only a band aid solution, we have to know what causes acne in the first place. Most cases of acne are caused by adrenal hormones secreted at the time of puberty. This causes the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, or sebum than usual. This mixes with dust and dead skin cells to form a plug which clogs the pores leading to pimples or comedones.

Closed comedones are known as whiteheads and open ones are known as blackheads. These combine with the bacteria on our skin and become inflamed and infected which leads to cysts and nodules. Squeezing blackheads can also lead to inflammation and infection so it’s important to keep you hands off if possible!

The face, upper back, chest and shoulders are the most affected by acne because these contain the greatest concentration of sebaceous glands. However it is the acne that affects the face which causes the most misery, especially among teenagers. Social situations can become torture for young folk when they think everyone is looking at them and judging them. It seriously erodes their confidence.

Acne doesn’t stop at teenagers though, it can strike at any age. Hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy or menopause can lead to acne in adults too. This also responds well to a holistic approach.

Acne scarring can remain after serious or even mild acne. People think there is nothing they can do about scarring without resorting to expensive treatments such as an acne scar laser treatment or micro-dermabrasion, however mild acne scarring can be eliminated without resorting to these types of treatments

Can we still use acne treatments? Yes of course but please don’t use an over the counter acne treatment like those currently sold in pharmacies. They are harsh on inflamed skin and may make the condition even worse. These treatments become quite expensive when you have to keep on buying them, or if you try every new one that comes on the market! Using these products or even prescription acne medications are not recommended at all during pregnancy.

Which are the best acne treatments that won’t harm your skin? Natural acne treatment will temporarily heal your acne while you are waiting for the permanent changes to take effect.

How to get rid of acne without treatment? There’s really only one way and that’s with a ‘whole body’ approach which takes into account diet, lifestyle and our skin care routine. Although this may sound like a long term solution it can work fairly fast, but you do need to do it properly. It is possible to have a smooth clear complexion in less time than you’d think possible.