Does your face look like this …But you want it to look like this?…

 
Hi! My name is Theresa, and this is my website. My goal is to help you learn how to get rid of acne by using the best acne products. Let me tell you a little about myself so you can understand how my site can help you. I am a nurse and I have children, 2 of whom are getting to that age where they are coming to me to ask how to get rid of acne. I have close friends who have told me they would have loved a website like this when they were teenagers suffering from acne.

Do not be afraid or ashamed of your acne problem, fight it! I can help you. I have spent many hours researching acne, its cause and the best acne products you can use to get rid of it. I’ve also talked to dermatologists and acne sufferers to find out which are the best acne products to get rid of acne. I have compiled a table full of acne fighting products with ratings and reviews from real users to help you decide what to try for your acne.  Please browse my site and leave any acne or skin questions you have.  I will do my best to find you an answer. :0)

How to Get Rid of Acne

No matter how beautiful your skin may be, I’m sure like most of us, you get the occasional pimple. Or maybe you are prone to acne and need help to learn how to get rid of acne. When dealing with a skin condition, questions come up like what is the best way to get rid of acne or should I pop that pimple? In the end, you want to know the best way to get rid of acne, plain and simple. I have been a nurse for 14 years. I have scoured the internet, medical journals, and worked with dermatologists to compile tried and tested methods that get rid of pimples using the best acne products, including how to get rid of acne naturally. For those times when you need to get rid of pimples fast, I’ve included a section below so you can pop that pimple safely and effectively.

What is Acne

All acne is a result of a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit. This unit consists of a hair shaft,hair follicle, sebaceous gland (this makes sebum-which in Latin means fat) and the erector pili muscle which causes the hair to stand up when it contracts (goose bumps).

A substance called sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. It is responsible for keeping the hair and skin moisturized. Sebaceous glands enlarge and produce more sebum under the influence of hormones called androgens during adolescence. This decreases after about age 20.

The outer layers of skin are constantly flaking off and are normally shed into the environment. Sometimes the dead skin cells are left behind and become stuck together when mixed with sebum. This causes a blocked pore known as a micromedone.

At this point sebum begins to accumulate behind the blockage. The sebum has bacteria (called Propionibacterium acnes) in it that now cannot be released. This is the slow growing bacterium that is linked to acne. Propionibacterium acnes (P acnes) normally exist harmlessly on the skin. Given the right conditions, it can reproduce rapidly and become a problem. The conditions are now set up to allow the bacteria to feed off of the sebum. The growing bacteria cause an immune response, inflaming the skin and causing the spots we call acne.

Types of Acne

Whiteheads

A whitehead is formed when the trapped sebum/skin mixture stays below the skin surface. They usually show up as white or yellowish bumps on the skin. 

Blackheads

When a pore opens to the surface of the skin and the sebum, which contains a skin pigment called melanin (gives you your skin color) oxidizes and turns black or brown a blackhead occurs.

Papules

These are red, inflamed and tender bumps that do not have a head on them. Do not squeeze a papule as it will only damage your skin and may leave you with a scar.

Pustules

Pustules have a white or yellowish center with reddened inflamed skin around them. These can be “popped”, but you must do it correctly to avoid damage to the skin.

How to Get Rid of Acne Using the Best Acne Products

How to Get Rid of Whiteheads

Whiteheads are simply clogged pores. They have not yet become infected with P acnes. 9 out of 10 times they will go away on their own without any intervention. Occasionally they may turn into a full blown pimple. It is important to avoid touching them with your hands or other objects as these things can have bacteria on them which can be transferred to the skin causing infection, making it even harder to get rid of acne.

The first thing to do to avoid or get rid of whiteheads is to stop or stay away from products with oil in them. Look for products that say non-comedogenic as these will be oil free and safe for your skin. The next step is to exfoliate. You can buy exfoliants at just about any store that sells skin care products. Another simple and inexpensive way to do this is by adding baking soda to the cleanser you already use. Besides being very economical there is the added benefit of being able to adjust the abrasiveness by adjusting the amount of baking soda you add. I really like this routine for my own skin. After washing and drying your hands start with a small amount of baking soda in the palm of your hand. Add your usual cleanser and wash your face. Make note of starting with a small amount. Remember baking soda is used to clean stoves and bathtubs so it can be hard on your face if you use too much.

You may also want to make your own exfoliant. Here is a recipe:

1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon plain yogurt

Mix the 3 ingredients together and rub on skin in a gentle circular motion. This will also promote blood flow to the skin’s surface. Leave on for 10 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.

You can also use something as simple as instant oatmeal (plain), mixed with water to exfoliate your skin.

If these things don’t work to get rid of acne, it may be time to try something stronger. Chemicals can be used for stronger exfoliation of the skin. BHA (beta hydroxy acid), or salicylic acid are some of the best acne products and can accomplish this. Be sure to read the directions to these products carefully since they can really slough off your skin. After a few days the whiteheads should be gone. One thing you should know is that this type of deep exfoliation should not be done every day. Your skin can become dependent on it and it will lose its effectiveness.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads

A blackhead extractor tool can be used to squeeze them out. Apply a warm wet towel to the area or take a shower to soften and expand the skin. Center the tool on the blackhead and apply gentle pressure to expel the trapped material. You can also try the cotton ball method of squeezing out your blackheads. First use an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and expose the blackheads. Place a warm compress on the area for a bout 10-15 minutes to soften and expand the skin. Dry your face. Place a cotton ball on the tip of each of your fingers. Gently apply pressure on each side of the blackhead. The cotton balls stop the fingers from slipping, which could tear the skin, and allow the pressure to be evenly distributed. Honey is an excellent, naturally pure solution to skin problems and get rid of acne. Warm a small amount of honey, preferably organic, and apply to the blackheads. Wash off after 10-15 minutes. Since blackheads are caused by excess oil in the skin it is recommended to apply a clay mask once a week. A good mask will help remove excess oil. Experiment with different masks from the drugstore to see which works best for your skin.

How to Get Rid of Papules

These red bumps can be quite painful and embarrassing. Since they do not have a head on them, it is recommended to never attempt to squeeze or “pop” them. This will only inflame the skin more and spread the bacteria that have built up in them.

The best recommendation for these types of skin lesions is to follow a regimented skin care program. First run the shower to build up steam or take a shower. The steam will open up your pores allowing a thorough cleaning. Next, wash your face with a mild soap, gently scrubbing with your hands or a soft cloth. Do not be too aggressive as this will irritate your skin and could trigger further break outs. Gently pat your skin dry. At this point you can apply a light coat of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has strong anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties and has been used in surgery worldwide for nearly 100 years. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to a mask and apply it to your face to get rid of zits all over. Tea tree oil is strong so start with a small amount to see how your skin responds.

2.5% benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid can also be used on the papules after washing the face. Benzoyl peroxide has been the most widely used for these skin lesions since it has antibacterial and keratolytic properties. A keratolytic causes the outer layer of the skin to loosen and shed. Make sure you only apply these substances to the papule directly as they can irritate and inflame healthy skin.

Topical (for the skin) antibiotics may be needed to help kill the trapped bacteria. If the presence of papules becomes overwhelming oral antibiotics may be required. These are prescribed by a doctor.

How to Get Rid of Pustules

The treatment for pustules is very similar to that of papules. Using steam to open up the skin helps achieve a deep clean. You can heat a pot of water on the stove. When it starts to boil take it off and put your face over it with a towel over your head. This will trap the steam around your face, opening up your pores. It is important to do a thorough cleaning of your skin after this with a non comedogenic cleanser, one that isn’t too harsh and will aggravate your acne. The same treatments as above can then be used, tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid on the pustules If you have one of these, the big question you probably have is should I try to get rid of pimples by popping them? Most people will tell you to never pop a pustule, but we live in the real world. If you simply cannot walk around with a huge white pimple on your face I am going to tell you the best and safest way to pop a pustule.

1. Apply a warm compress to the pustule to draw the bacteria and sebum to the surface, making sure to wash your hands first.
2. Disinfect a sharp needle with rubbing alcohol.
3. Gently prick the outer surface of the pustule. This will allow the pus to escape easily so you do not need to apply as much pressure.
4. Using cotton balls on each finger, gently squeeze the sides using a down and in motion. If clear fluid or blood comes out, stop immediately. You want to see white or yellowish pus come out.
5. Wash your hands immediately to remove any bacteria that may have gotten on them
6. Apply tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide at this point for their anti-bacterial properties.

Some other natural therapies you may want to try for papules or pustules are aloe vera, ginger, witch hazel, and don’t forget about tea tree oil talked about above. Aloe vera gel has been used for centuries to heal burns and damaged skin. It has been shown to accelerate healing because it has the necessary building blocks (polysaccharides) to heal skin. It will help your skin repair from the damage of acne and decrease redness and swelling. It can increase the overall health of your skin. Ginger is another excellent plant known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties. It is inexpensive and available at just about any grocery store. Ginger also strengthens the skin and can get rid of acne and greatly alleviate inflammation of follicles. Garlic may be something you love or hate to eat. A surprising fact about garlic is that it has proven strong antibacterial properties. It can fight the bacteria that are causing the acne. To use garlic to get rid of acne, prepare a solution using 1 clove of ground garlic in a cup of warm water. Apply the solution with a cotton ball to the zit. Leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Do not apply the garlic directly to the skin. Witch hazel has historically been used by the Native Americans to treat skin irritations such as acne. It gets its strong acne fighting power from chemicals called tannins which are a natural astringent. Witch hazel can be used on the whole face, but be cautious as it can dry out the skin.

 Whenever you are looking at information on how to get rid of acne, it is important to keep in mind that your skin is unique. It may take trial and error to figure out what works best for you. This is why I have included several different options for each type of acne. If your acne persists, or worsens you may need to seek the help of a dermatologist.