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Articles by Dan Kern

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? …

Can Milk of Magnesia Applied Topically Help with Acne?

There Is No Scientific Evidence That Over-the-counter Milk of Magnesia Products Would Help The Essential Info You can find milk of magnesia at any drugstore. It is an oral remedy for treating heartburn and stomach ailments. Some acne sufferers try applying milk of magnesia to the skin topically in the hope that this will improve …

When Will I Grow Out of Acne?

Studies Show That About Half of the People Who Have Acne as Teenagers Will Outgrow It by Their 20s The Essential Info Studies estimate that as many as 85% of people between 12- and 25-years old experience acne. On average, acne begins to improve after the age of 15, and it affects fewer people with …

Cystic Acne on the Body

Skin on the Body Contains Larger Skin Oil Glands and Can More Easily Develop Severe Acne Lesions The Essential Info Cystic acne is a severe type of acne that can affect the body and face. The reason it is called “cystic” acne is because it comes with large (over 5 mm in diameter) lesions, such …

What Are Milia, and Do They Relate to Acne?

Milia Are Harmless Skin Bumps Unrelated to Acne The Essential Info Milia are tiny, harmless bumps that develop on the skin of both adults and children. Normally, they go away on their own without treatment within a few weeks, or at most a few months. However, if milia is recurring or persistent, dermatologists can effectively …