Acne.org Editorial Guidelines

Finding health and wellness information is easy. It's everywhere. But finding trustworthy, relevant, usable information can be hard and even overwhelming. Acne.org is changing all that. We're making health information understandable and accessible so you can make the best decisions for yourself and the people you love.

Read more about our process

Articles by Dan Kern

What Is Homeopathy, and Does It Work?

Homeopathy Is an Unproven Form of Alternative “Medicine” with No Scientific Backing. Buyer Beware! The Essential Info Homeopathic remedies normally contain little to no active ingredient, and are based on ideas that “like cures like” and “the lower the dose of medication, the better it works.” These ideas defy common sense, and not surprisingly, evidence …

Does Benzoyl Peroxide Make Hyperpigmentation Worse?

There Is No Compelling Evidence of This to Date The Essential Info Benzoyl peroxide is a widely used and effective acne treatment that kills acne bacteria and unclogs skin pores. Although some people claim that benzoyl peroxide can increase hyperpigmentation (red/dark marks left after acne heals), the evidence that we have, while still weak and preliminary, …

Choosing a Razor for Acne-prone Skin

Two-blade Cartridge Razors Are the Best Choice for Most People The Essential Info There is a proven link between physical irritation and acne, so finding a razor that is suitable for acne-prone skin means choosing one that produces the least irritation. Currently, four major types of razors exist on the market, and cartridge razors easily win …

What’s the Difference Between Retinol and Retinoids?

While Chemically Similar, They Have Differences: Retinol Is Over-the-counter, Weaker, and Comes with Less Side Effects, Whereas Retinoids Are Prescription, Stronger, and Come with More Side Effects The Essential Info You have probably heard commercials for anti-aging creams touting the benefits of retinol. You may also have heard about prescription anti-acne gels/creams that contain retinoids …

What Is the pH of Human Skin?

Human Skin Has an Average pH Value of Between 4 and 6, with Facial Skin Typically Having a pH Value of Between 4.5 and 5.5 The Essential Info pH is the measure of how acidic or alkaline something is. Human skin has a pH that is slightly acidic. A substance with a pH of 7 …

What Is Acne – An In-depth Look

Acne Is a Complex Disease That Forms Through a Series of Complicated Biological Processes The Essential Info In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into theories of acne development. For a simpler, easy-to-understand article, visit the What Is Acne page. Normally I’ll summarize the article up here in The Essential Information area, but there’s too …

Are Makeup Ingredients Safe?

While Makeup Ingredients Are Sometimes Pore-clogging, They Are Normally Non-toxic The Essential Info The makeup industry has come a long way. Most makeup formulations today include safe ingredients, which are typically non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), non-irritating, and hypoallergenic. This is in contrast to the past where pore-clogging makeup could often keep people in a cycle of …

Is Acne-fighting Makeup Better for Acne-prone Skin than Regular Makeup?

Maybe a Little Bit, but Only as a Preventative, Not a Treatment The Essential Info Most so-called “acne-fighting” cosmetics contain a small amount of a medication called salicylic acid. Some evidence suggests that salicylic acid in low concentrations may improve acne. But does that mean that cosmetics that contain salicylic acid are better for acne? …

The Role of Hormones in Acne

When It Comes to Acne, Androgens – which Are Male Hormones Present in Both Males and Females – Are at Fault The Essential Info You may have heard of the term “hormonal acne” before, but the term “hormonal acne” is something of a misnomer. In fact, all acne is hormonal. Hormones are necessary for acne …