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Articles by Dan Kern

How Acne Scars Affect Self-esteem and What You Can Do About It

Having Acne Scars Can Lower Self-esteem. If This Is an Issue for You, Treat Your Acne Early to Prevent New Scars, Explore Scar Repair Options, and Work Toward Self-acceptance. The Essential Info Acne often leaves behind scars. Research shows that having acne scars can damage self-esteem, making some people feel less attractive and causing them …

Irritation

Anything which rubs, scratches, or comes into prolonged contact with the skin can cause irritation and potentially contribute to breakouts. This is so well known to acne researchers that it has it’s own name: acne mechanica.1-7 None of us can completely avoid irritation. However, becoming aware of sources of physical irritation, and reducing them when …

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How to Pop a Pimple

When You Must Pop, Do it Safely and Effectively The Essential Info Pop only pimples with a white or yellow center that are ready to be popped. Use a gentle touch and don’t overdo it. The Science Video instructions Written instructions Common advice is to let your body heal a pimple on its own without …

Acne.org Regimen Help Pages

The Regimen FAQs Q: My skin is itchy after I apply the benzoyl peroxide. Is that normal? A: Yes, a little itchiness is normal, especially in the first few weeks.1-2 You can expect this itchiness to gradually subside as your acne clears up.  Q: My skin is burning and/or red after I apply the benzoyl …

Do Physical Sunscreens Absorb Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation?

Yes. Contrary to Popular Belief, Today’s Micronized Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Sunscreens Primarily Absorb UV Radiation, Just like Their Chemical Sunscreen Cousins The Essential Info In the past, chemical sunscreens (avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone) worked by absorbing the sun’s rays, while physical sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) commonly reflected and scattered …

How To Apply Skin Care Products to Your Back

Only Use Bare Hands or a Soft Applicator to Apply Products to Your Back The Essential Info Applying products to your back to treat or prevent back acne can be a challenge because: It’s a hard to reach area. When you use a tool to apply a product to your back it can lead to physical …

Can Fenugreek Seeds Help with Acne?

It’s Too Early to Say. Fenugreek Shows Some Promising Medicinal Properties in the Lab but Has Never Been Tested on People with Acne. The Essential Info Fenugreek is a Mediterranean kitchen herb whose seeds possess some medicinal properties. Fenugreek seeds have yet to be tested on people with acne. However, preliminary lab experiments suggest that …

Can Steaming Your Face Help with Acne?

Heat and Humidity Often Worsen Acne, So Steaming May Do the Same The Essential Info Steaming is a wellness practice that exposes the skin to hot, humid air. While no research has directly tested steaming on acne-prone skin, multiple studies have looked at how acne responds to hot, humid weather. The results are mixed: many …

How to Choose a Good Foundation

Choose a Foundation That Is Free of Pore-clogging Ingredients and Apply It Very Gently The Essential Info Because foundation covers acne-prone areas of the face, choosing the right foundation for acne-prone skin requires particular care. Before buying any foundation, always check the list of ingredients. Avoid foundations that contain pore-clogging ingredients. Select a fragrance-free foundation, …