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Articles by Dan Kern

How to Choose a Good Bronzer

Select a Bronzer That Does Not Contain Any Pore-clogging Ingredients and Be Gentle When Applying It to the Skin The Essential Info Before buying a bronzer for acne-prone skin, look at the ingredients. Avoid bronzers that contain pore-clogging ingredients. To be on the safe side, steer clear of fragranced products, since fragrances may irritate the …

How to Choose a Good Blush

Choose a Blush That Does Not Contain Any Pore-clogging Ingredients and Apply It to the Skin Very Gently The Essential Info The best strategy when selecting a blush for acne-prone skin is to look at the ingredients. Avoid blushes with pore-clogging ingredients. To be safe, also avoid products that contain fragrances, which may irritate the …

Does Rubbing or Massaging the Skin Improve Absorption of Topical Medications?

Probably, Though Exactly How It Helps Is Unclear. Be Sure to Stay Gentle. The Essential Info Research suggests that rubbing topical medications into the skin improves absorption, making the treatment more effective. Out of five studies, four found that rubbing or massaging the skin immediately before or after applying a topical medication increased the amount …

What Is Cortisol, and Does It Affect Acne?

Cortisol Is a Hormone That Affects the Factors Involved in Acne – Sometimes for the Better, Sometimes for the Worse The Essential Info Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is present in almost every human cell and has far-reaching effects on the body. Cortisol is released in response to stress, and chronic, ongoing stress can …

Does Isotretinoin Help with Acne Scars?

No One Knows Whether Isotretinoin Can Treat Existing Scars, but It May Help Reduce Formation of New Scars in People with Severe Acne The Essential Info Isotretinoin, often known by its brand name Accutane®, is a powerful oral drug doctors sometimes prescribe to treat severe acne. Some people also wonder if it could help with …

Can Makeup Brushes, Sponges, or Pads/Puffs Cause Acne?

Probably Not, but Irritating the Skin with Stiff Cosmetic Tools May Make Acne Worse. Always Choose Soft Makeup Tools and Be as Gentle as Possible. The Essential Info No research studies have been performed to determine if makeup tools can lead to acne. However, there is strong evidence that rubbing the skin can irritate it …

How You Wash Your Body Might Be Making Your Body Acne Worse

Scrubbing Your Body Can Lead to More Body Acne. Use Only Your Bare Hands and Gently Wash Each Part of Your Body For Only A Few Seconds. The Essential Info It is so well known that harshly scrubbing the skin of the face or body can lead to acne that it has an official medical …

How Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Reduces Acne Scars (and May Also Help with Acne)

Trichloroacetic Acid Reduces Scars by Promoting the Production of Collagen (and May Help Acne by Exfoliating the Skin) The Essential Info Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is an acid used for the treatment of acne scars, most notably icepick scars. It works to treat acne scars by increasing the production of a skin protein called collagen, which …

Acne vs. Rosacea

Even Though Acne and Rosacea Sometimes Look Similar, They Are Two Separate Diseases The Essential Info Acne and rosacea are different diseases, but are sometimes confused with one another because they both can show up on the face and can come with similar lesions. Similarities: Both are inflammatory skin diseases that range from mild to …

What Is Acne?

An Overview of Acne Development The Essential Info What It Is: If you’ve ever had a pimple, you’ve had acne. Symptoms can range widely, from an occasional pimple to severe, widespread acne that can scar. Who It Affects: Acne affects almost every adolescent at some point, and also about 30% of adult women and 20% of …