Acne.org Editorial Guidelines

Finding health and wellness information is easy. It's everywhere. But finding trustworthy, relevant, usable information can be hard and even overwhelming. Acne.org is changing all that. We're making health information understandable and accessible so you can make the best decisions for yourself and the people you love.

Read more about our process

Articles by Dan Kern

Can I Take Oral Antibiotics While I Use the Birth Control Pill?

Most Doctors Are OK with Prescribing Them Together as Long as You Use a Second Method of Birth Control The Essential Info Doctors sometimes prescribe both birth control pills and antibiotics at the same time for women who suffer from acne, and there are cases in which antibiotics might lead to breakthrough pregnancy (pregnancy while …

Can Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Help with Acne?

Perhaps. Apple Cider Vinegar May Help Moderate Hormones Through Reducing Blood Sugar Spikes after High Glycemic Food Intake. The Essential Info People have been using vinegar medicinally for thousands of years, and information which indicates that vinegar is therapeutic for a variety of bodily ailments is accumulating. The available science suggests that ingesting a small …

How Fatty Foods Affect Acne

Currently, There Is No Evidence That Fatty or Oily Foods Cause or Worsen Acne The Essential Info Increased production of skin oil, which is made of different types of fat, contributes to acne. Since skin oil is made of fats, and some foods contain fats, researchers wonder if fatty and oily foods are linked to …

Does Salicylic Acid Make Your Skin More Sensitive to the Sun?

Probably Not, but until More Research Confirms This, Err on the Side of Caution and Wear Sunscreen While Using Topical Products with Salicylic Acid The Essential Info Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that is found in many products for acne-prone skin. If you have looked at the back of acne treatment products at the drugstore, …

How Does Jessner’s Solution Help Clear Acne?

Jessner’s Solution Exfoliates the Skin, Reduces Inflammation, Decreases Bacteria, and Clears Clogged Pores The Essential Info Jessner’s solution is a chemical peel made of: Like other chemical peels, Jessner’s solution can help clear acne. However, research has found that a 30% salicylic acid peel may be slightly better at clearing acne than Jessner’s solution. The …

How Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) Help with Acne

Beta Hydroxy Acids Exfoliate the Skin, Reduce Inflammation, Decrease Skin Oil, Reduce Bacteria, Decrease Hyperpigmentation, and Promote the Penetration of Other Acne Medications The Essential Info Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are acids that are topically applied to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne. Salicylic acid is the only widely-available and widely-used BHA. Salicylic …

How Are Acne and Depression Related?

There Is a Correlation Between Acne and Depression The Essential Info Acne has negative effects on mental well-being, and clearing up acne makes people feel better. That much is known. But what about depression? Research shows us that acne and depression often occur together, which means they are “correlated,” but there is not a clear …

Rosacea

Rosacea Symptoms and Treatment The Essential Info Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects about 5% of people over 30 years old, particularly women and people with fair skin. Rosacea may sometimes look similar to acne, but it is a different disease and requires different treatment.  Symptoms most commonly include: The following symptoms may also …

Resorcinol – Everything You Need to Know

Resorcinol Is a Peeling Agent That Can Exfoliate the Skin The Essential Info What It Is: Resorcinol is one of five FDA-approved over-the-counter acne medications, the others being benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, and adapalene (0.1%). However, due to its tendency to cause more severe side effects when compared to other over-the-counter medications, it is rarely …

Is There an Evolutionary Reason or Purpose for Acne?

Acne May Be a Side Effect of Losing Our Body Hair as We Evolved, an Adaptation That Makes Childbirth Easier, or Even a Way That Nature Prevents Teens from Having Kids Too Early The Essential Info Today, the majority of teenagers and many adults experience acne to some degree. Evolutionary biologists have proposed three theories …