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Articles by Dan Kern

What Do “Comedogenic” and “Non-comedogenic” Mean?

Non-comedogenic Skin Care Products Claim to Be Less Likely to Cause Acne. However, This Claim Cannot Be Guaranteed. The Essential Info “Comedogenic” means that a product is likely to clog skin pores, which can then lead to acne lesions. “Non-comedogenic” means that a product is not likely to clog pores. The root word of each term …

Are There Any Safe and Effective Treatments for Seborrhea (Oily Skin)?

Non-prescription Treatments Are Better for Mild and Moderate Cases of Seborrhea since Their Side Effects Are Less Severe The Essential Info Oily skin, known by its medical name, seborrhea, is a condition caused by an increase in the production of skin oil (sebum), leaving the skin feeling greasy, looking shiny, and the pores appearing enlarged. …

What Are Razor Bumps?

Razor Bumps Develop When Shaved Hairs Get Trapped Inside the Skin, Causing Acne-like Lesions The Essential Info Razor bumps, also known as ingrown hairs, are a common skin condition caused by shaving the skin of the face and/or body. Razor bumps occur when shaved hairs get trapped inside the skin, causing lesions that resemble acne. …

Can African Black Soap Help Acne?

There Is No Evidence That It Could. In Fact, African Black Soap Is Very Similar to Regular Soap and Should Be Avoided. The Essential Info African black soap, or simply “black soap,” is an umbrella term for a variety of bar, liquid, and gel soaps traditionally produced in West Africa and Morocco that appear either …

Menopause and Acne

Menopause-induced Acne is Uncommon but Can Occur The Essential Info Although uncommon, the hormonal changes that occur during menopause can result in acne. While acne typically decreases with age, fluctuating levels of hormones in the bloodstream during menopause may trigger acne and/or worsen existing acne. After menopause, however, acne is rare. Special Note: If you …

Can Laundry Detergent Cause Body Acne?

No. Any Detergent Is Likely Safe to Use. But Use Unscented Detergent If Your Skin Is Sensitive to Fragrances. The Essential Info Laundry detergents contain harsh ingredients that can irritate the skin if applied directly to the skin. Irritation, in turn, can lead to acne. However, the amount of detergent that comes in contact with …

Handling Hyperpigmentation

Red/Dark Spots Left Behind from Acne (Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation) The Essential Info Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, commonly referred to simply as hyperpigmentation, refers to the dark and/or red spots that stay on the skin after acne lesions heal. Hyperpigmentation is far more common in non-Caucasian skin, and can last for months, and sometimes even years, leading some people …

Can Applying Yogurt to the Skin Improve Acne?

Perhaps to Some Degree, but More Research Is Necessary Before We Can Recommend It The Essential Info It’s possible, but still unproven, that applying yogurt in the form of a topical facial mask might help reduce acne to a small degree. This is because yogurt has 2 things going for it: So does that mean applying …

Can Aloe Help Acne?

Probably Not to a Measurable Degree The Essential Info Aloe exhibits healing properties. However, scientific evidence to date indicates that Aloe is not likely to help reduce acne to a measurable degree. When we dig into the research, we see that Aloe may fall short in the following areas: Anti-inflammatory effects: The anti-inflammatory activity demonstrated by Aloe …

Can Candida Cause Acne?

There Is Almost No Evidence That Candida (Yeast) Is Related to Acne The Essential Info Candida is a yeast (a single-celled type of fungus) that lives on the bodies of about 70% of people. For most people, Candida does not cause any problems, but it can occasionally lead to serious infections in people whose immune …