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Articles by Dan Kern

Here’s How Much Sunscreen You Should Apply

It’s More than You Think. People Generally Use Only 1/4 of What Is Recommended. The Essential Info Sunscreens are tested using a generous coating on the skin, but the typical person applies just a fraction of this. To make sure you are using enough, apply ½ teaspoon (about a quarter-size amount) to your face and neck …

What Are Retinoids, and Why Are They Used to Treat Acne?

Retinoids Are Vitamin A Derivatives That Are Applied Topically and Can Help Reduce Acne The Essential Info Retinoids are commonly-prescribed topical medications that help unclog pores and reduce inflammation. The FDA has approved four topical retinoids: Which Works Best: Which retinoid works best is still up for debate because researchers have still not tested all four …

Does Wearing a Baseball Hat Cause Acne?

Baseball Hats Physically Irritate the Skin, and this Might Lead to Acne. But, Wearing a Baseball Hat Should be Fine as Long as You Properly Treat the Skin Twice a Day. The Essential Info Wearing a baseball hat, or any tight-fitting hat, physically irritates the skin. Physical irritation can trigger acne or make existing acne …

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 …