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Articles by Dan Kern

Can Topical Epsom Salt Treat Acne?

Some Weak, Indirect Evidence Suggests That It Might Help a Bit The Essential Info Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is a popular folk remedy that some people apply to the skin in an attempt to treat acne. While doctors recognize Epsom salt as an effective oral medication for conditions like constipation and asthma, no studies have …

How Often Should an Acne-prone Person Change His/Her Pillowcase?

A Safe Rule of Thumb Is to Change Your Pillowcase Once per Week The Essential Info Pillowcases can pick up: However, these things left on pillowcases are unlikely to contribute to acne, with the exception of the haircare products pomade or brilliantine. If you use pomade or brilliantine, wash your hair before going to sleep at …

Sulfur for Acne

Sulfur Smells Bad, but Is a Useful Aid in the Treatment of Acne, Especially When Combined With Other Medications The Essential Info Sulfur is a time-tested topical treatment for acne that people have been using since the 5th century BC for its ability to: However, due to the unpleasant odor of sulfur and the temporary …

How Polyhydroxy Acids May Help with Acne

Polyhydroxy Acids May Work to Clear Acne a Small Amount by Exfoliating the Surface of the Skin, Increasing Antioxidants, Increasing Skin Moisture, Decreasing Hyperpigmentation, and Promoting the Penetration of Acne Medications The Essential Info Polyhydroxy acids are a group of acids that are used to treat a variety of skin conditions. They are hydroxy acids …

Are Self-tanners Safe for Acne-prone Skin?

No Studies Have Looked at Whether Self-tanners Are Safe for Acne. If You Use Self-tanners, Avoid Those with Pore-clogging or Irritating Ingredients and Apply Them Very Gently. The Essential Info Self-tanning products, also known as sunless tanners, can be purchased over-the-counter or sprayed on the skin in spray tan booths at salons. Regardless of whether you …

Why Do Some People Have Oilier Skin than Others?

Higher Levels of Male Hormones and Growth Hormone Are Mostly to Blame The Essential Info Two main hormonal factors are likely most at fault when it comes to why some people have oilier skin than others: And one factor may result in less oiliness: And there are two wildcards that may either increase or decrease …

How Lipohydroxy Acid Helps with Acne

Lipohydroxy Acid Works by Exfoliating the Skin, Reducing Inflammation, Decreasing Skin Oil, Reducing Bacteria, Decreasing Hyperpigmentation, and Promoting the Penetration of Acne Medications The Essential Info Lipohydroxy acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and can be used to treat acne. It is created from salicylic acid, which is by far the most common BHA …

How Close Are We to an Acne Vaccine?

Research Is Ongoing, but an Anti-acne Vaccine Is Still a Long Way Away, If It Ever Arrives The Essential Info An acne vaccine would prevent acne from developing and help many people avoid years of acne treatment. In the past five decades, researchers have made major strides toward creating an acne vaccine. However, many technical …

What Ethnicity Has the Most Adult Acne?

Based on Limited Research, Black and Hispanic Women Might Experience the Most Adult Acne, While Men of All Ethnicities Might Experience the Same Amount of It The Essential Info Women: Most of the evidence shows that black women may have the most cases of moderate-to-severe adult acne. While there is less evidence, it also seems …

What Is a Draining Sinus?

A Draining Sinus Is a Large, Red, Painful Lesion That Develops from the Merging of Multiple Acne Cysts The Essential Info Draining sinuses are huge, tender bumps that form when multiple cysts combine under the skin. They are the largest type of a lesion found in “nodulocystic” acne, often referred to simply as “cystic acne,” and are very …