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Articles by Dan Kern

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 …

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 …

Should You Pop Cystic Acne?

No, You Should Never Attempt to Pop Cystic Acne Lesions The Essential Info Cystic acne lesions include nodules and cysts, which are large, painful lesions more than 5 millimeters in diameter. Although it is OK to pop less severe types of acne, like pustules (run-of-the-mill “zits” with a white or yellow center), nodules and cysts …

Why Don’t Hunter-gatherers Have Acne?

Genetics May Play a Role, but Lifestyle Appears to Be the Answer The Essential Info As the decades pass, the incidence of acne increases around the globe. However, isolated hunter-gatherer peoples in developing countries are a startling exception. Adolescents and adults in these communities suffer from acne at a far lower rate than in industrialized …

Human Skin: Basic Anatomy and Functions

The Skin Is the Largest Organ of the Human Body and Carries Out Several Vital Functions The Essential Info The skin is the body’s largest organ, and consists of three main layers: Epidermis – topmost layer Dermis – middle layer Hypodermis – bottom layer These layers are composed of skin cells called corneocytes, keratinocytes, melanocytes, …

Can Niacinamide Help Treat Acne?

Yes, Research Shows Some Effectiveness The Essential Info If you suffer from mild or moderate acne, you may want to consider incorporating niacinamide in your skin treatment regimen because it possesses many properties that make it a suitable ingredient for safe and effective treatment. It reduces sebum production, reduces inflammation, improves skin barrier function, helps …