This may sound way too good to be true (and you know the old saying…), but more than just a few significant studies (plus my own experiencse) are placing a connection between taking vitamin C orally and the prevention of acne.

Vitamin C is considered a "super vitamin" because it plays such a key role in boosting the immune system and preventing infection.  In order to reap the possible antibacterial benefits of taking vitamin C supplements, it's recommended that you take 1,000mg to 1600mg, three times per day.  A few other supplements that seem to work well alongside vitamin C in the prevention of acne are: vitamin E, vitamin B complex and zinc.

Before I even found out about these studies, I'd starting taking the above mentioned supplements, and I can tell you that's it made an amazing difference in my skin.  Rarely do I experience a breakout anymore; even at that 'special' time of the month.  If I do happen to get a breakout, it is so small and basically undetectable.  I can defintely deal with that!

Of course, always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.  If he/she gives you the 'green light', then go for it.  Clear skin may be closer than you think. 😉

Question:  If you experience breakouts, is there anything you've found out of the ordinary to help treat them?  Let me know by leaving a comment below.  Thanks!

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-The Mineral Makeup Coach

In my first post, Body Acne- Part 1, I discussed what body acne is, where it's most commonly found and what things seem to exacerbate the problem.

In today's post, I'll talk about what you can do about it, so that ultimately, you're more comfortable in your own skin.

First, you must understand that treating body acne can be a little more difficult than facial acne.  This is because the skin is thicker in areas such the back, shoulders, upper arms, etc.  However, this can be a good thing because you can actually be a little more aggressive with treatment and not get as sensitive as you might on the face.  It's common to combine several different therapies to combat body acne.

Three steps are key when treating body acne: Exfoliating, Dissolving clogged pores and using an antibacterial, such as benzoyl peroxide.

You need to exfoliate your body just as you would your face in order to slough away dead skin cells and prevent them from building up and trapping oil, dirt & debris within the pores.  I DO NOT recommend using a harsh exfoliant such as a loofah or sugar/salt scrub on areas that are broken out.  Instead, reach for a cleanser that has mild exfoliating beads that are spherical in shape, as these will not cause micro-tears in the skin.  Also, do not use any type of mechanical exfoliant on active acne blemishes, as this can exacerbate the situation.  In the case of active breakouts, consider using a chemical (alphahydroxy or betahydroxy acid) or enzyme exfoliant.  These will slough away dead skin cells without the manual scrubbing action and also speed up cellular turnover to prevent pore blockages.

In order to help dissolve the material that's causing the clogged pore(s) and that's the food source for the P. Acnes bacteria, you will need to use a lipophilic (oil-dissolving) product, such as salicylic acid.  Salicylic acid, a betahydroxy acid (BHA), can throughly dissolve the hardened sebum plugs to unclog the pores.  Consider using salicylic acid pads- they will exfoliate and dissolve dead skin cells at the same time. 

For a deeper exfoliation, consider consulting a licensed skin care professional.  They can discuss which options will be right for you depending upon the grade of acne you have.

Next, you must use some type of antibacterial product to kill the P. Acnes bacteria.  A good choice is benzoyl peroxide.  It's highly effective in levels of 2-5%.  Benzoyl peroxide delivers oxygen to the pores.  The P. Acnes bacteria are anaerobic and cannot live in the presence of oxygen.  Just remember though, benzoyl peroxide is NOT recommended as a spot treatment.  It's meant to be used as an all-over treatment product and works best when used this way.  It's also a product that you'll most likely need to build up to using throughout the night.  You can't slather on benzoyl peroxide, sleep 8 hours with on and NOT have side-effects such as extreme dryness, peeling, etc.  You have to slowly build-up to using this product over the course of a couple weeks.  This means leaving it on for 15 minutes and then washing it off.  Follow this routine for 3 to 4 nights in a row.  Next, build up to 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 2 hours and then, within a few weeks time, you should be able to leave it on throughout the night.  If you notice some mild dryness, flakiness or peeling- this is normal.  Consider using pure jojoba oil to keep the area(s) moisturized.  Jojoba oil is non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic.  Please be aware that benzoyl peroxide can bleach anything it touches, so wear an old cotton t-shirt to bed and white sheets/pillow-cases to avoid ruining your clothing and bedding. 

Be aware that when purchasing benzoyl peroxide, some over-the-counter (and even prescription products) actually contain highly comedogenic ingredients such as isopropyl myristate.  This ingredient is used to give the product a smooth, creamy texture but rates as a 5 (the worst) on the comedogenic/irritancy scale.  Stear clear of these ingredients as your problems will only get worse.  Why would an acne medication contain comedogenic ingredients?  Honestly, I do not know.  I recommend using a benzoyl peroxide gel from a company called VISUAL CHANGES.  This is a professionally dispensed product line but you can contact the company directly for list of salons/spas/med-spas/dermatoligist offices that carry this line.

Another step to perform when treating body acne is to apply ice to the affected area(s).  Using a cold pack for 1 to 3 minutes will help to reduce inflammation and can often make blemishes go away.  Apply ice after cleansing & toning and BEFORE the application of an antibacterial, such as benzoyl peroxide.

Lastly, to minimize scarring, DO NOT pick at your blemishes, avoid indoor tanning and limit sun exposure.  UVA & UVB rays can darken acne scars-plus, if you're using AHA's, BHA's, prescription meds as wells as over-the-counter products to treat your acne, your skin can be become much more sensitive when exposed to ultraviolet light causing a serious sunburn.  Always wear an appropriate, non-comedogenic SPF- NO EXCEPTIONS.

The keys to successful acne treatment, no matter where it's found on the body or face, are patience and consistency.  The time and diligence it takes for proper treatment will be well worth it when you can wear that tank top or sleeveless outfit with total confidence!

Question:  Was this post helpful to you?  Did you learn something new that you may not have known before?  I'd love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment below.  Thank you!

Related Post: Body Acne- Part 1

Please note that the advice and information contained here are for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to be used a substitute for medical advice.  Please consult your health care provider before using any medications or beginning any skin care regimin.

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-The Mineral Makeup Coach

For many women, acne breakouts in areas other than the face are a major problem.  From the back and chest to the rear, shoulders, and beyond, body acne can cause feelings of insecurity as well as wardrobe limitations.

Since Spring is already here, many women are already out shopping for the latest in warm weather fashions.  But, for those who have body acne breakouts, you may feel like wearing those long-sleeved shirts a little while longer.  In this post, we'll look at what causes body acne and in a follow-up post, we'll investigate what you can do about it.

First, take heart.  Just like breakouts on the face, body acne is treatable.  However, because the skin on the body is thicker than it is on the face, body acne can be more stubborn, so you must be patient as there are no cures for acne but there are methods to reduce; even prevent the chances of breakouts from occuring.  Get a jump on the situation now, so when the really warm weather rolls around, you won't feel embarrassed to wear that sleeveless tank top.

The Causes

Even though the location of the acne may be different, the cycle or pattern is still the same.  Dirt, oil and debris get trapped with in the pore.  Bacteria feed off of this and begin to multiply rapidly.  White blood cells rush to the area of inflammation and cause redness, pain and swelling to occur in an effort to thwart bacterial growth.  The result?  A sore, red pimple that may or may not have a whitehead.  In addition to this cycle, other factors can come into play and simply exacerbate the problem.

1) SWEAT– Perspiration acts like a 'film' that traps oil, dirt and debris in the pore(s).  If you exercise, be sure to shower right away and use a fresh towel.  You should be using a separate, fresh towel during your workout to wipe away any sweat- do not use your hands or forearms.  Also, consider carrying a toner & some cotton rounds with you in your purse.  Lightly mist your decollete, upper arms and shoulders a few times a day to remove any excess perspiration.

2) CLOTHING– Wearing clothing that doesn't 'breathe'- especially when perspiring- traps sweat against the skin causing the problem described above.  Also, irritating fabrics can cause friction and pressure against the skin, contributing to breakouts.

3) PRODUCTS– Cosmetics for the face AND body such as creams and lotions can be comedogenic and cause acne breakouts.  Hair care products can also cause a problem due to heavy oils and waxes contained in most of these types of products.  Depending on where you're breaking out, consider the types of products that may come in contact with the area(s) of concern.

In my next post, I discuss how you can treat body acne breakouts.  For more information on acne and its causes, check out these RELATED POSTS:
Understanding Your Acne
Eat Chocolate…Get Zits?

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-The Mineral Makeup Coach

In past posts, I've already debunked the myths that sugar and chocolate cause acne.  According to dermatologists, genetics and hormonal fluctuations are what determines if a person will develop acne, hence the tendency to occur at the onset of and during puberty. But, what about dairy products?  Is there a link between this food group and teens with acne?  Actually, yes there is.

If you're a parent of a teen who has acne, you already know how embarrassed your child can feel when they have a breakout and have to try and face the world.  Unfortunately, kids can be cruel and your child's self esteem can wind up in the toilet when they're being ridiculed by classmates about the bumps all over their face.

The first place you can begin to help your teen deal with acne is by taking a look at their diet.  Recent studies have pointed to the intake of dairy products as being a contributing factor to teenage acne.  One of the largest studies to demonstrate this was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology by a team at Harvard University.

What The Research Says…

The researchers analyzed the habits and diets of nearly 50,000 people, looking especially at what they ate while in high school.  Those who drank 3 or more cups of milk a day, the researchers found, were 22% more likely to experience severe acne compared to those who drank one serving or less.  Skim milk was actually found to have the greatest effect.  Cream cheese and cottage cheese were also associated with breakouts, while chocolate and greasy foods were not.  The researchers attributed the effect to hormones in milk; other studies have had similar findings.

Dr. Diane S. Berson, an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, said foods that contain iodides, like shellfish, soy sauce and kelp, might also exacerbate acne.  Iodides are thought to play a role in inflammation.  Also, cows lick salt licks which get into the milk and can be another reason behind the connection of acne and dairy products.

The Bottom Line:  If your teen has acne, take a look at their diet and share this information with them.  Consider switching to organic foods that do not contain hormones.  Also, you may want to put away the salt shaker or at least switch to uniodized salt.

Question: Do you have a teen or know of someone with a teen who has acne?  Do you feel this information will be helpful to them?  Let me know by leaving a comment in the box below.  Thank you!

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-The Mineral Makeup Coach