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Articles by Dan Kern

Can Witch Hazel Help Acne?

Witch Hazel Is Mildly Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory, But We Don’t Have Enough Evidence to Know if It Will Help with Acne The Essential Info Witch hazel is an astringent, which basically means it tightens and dries out the skin. Using witch hazel, particularly on oily skin, imparts a “fresh” and “clean” feeling. However, the activity …

Topical Olive Oil and Acne

Olive Oil May Be Beneficial for Overall Healthy Skin, but May Not Be Safe for Acne-prone Skin The Essential Info 4 Positives: Topical olive oil can: These 4 properties make olive oil a potentially beneficial oil for overall skin health. 1 Unknown: It is important for people with acne to maintain a strong skin barrier. …

Stress and Acne

Info on How Stress May Worsen Acne and Tips on How to Chill Out The Essential Info Stress may make acne worse through increased: This is particularly true in females but is also true in males. Stress is defined as any undue emotional or physical strain. Examples include: Emotional: Physical: What To Do About It Worrying …

Chocolate and Acne

Some Evidence Is Beginning to Show that Chocolate Might Increase Acne Symptoms, But It Is Too Soon to Say for Sure The Essential Info The first study on chocolate and acne, published in 1969, concluded that chocolate had no effect on the severity of acne, and despite several serious design flaws in the study, this …

Do Birth Control Pills Clear Acne?

Yes, They Usually Clear the Skin to a Significant Degree, but Carry Risk The Essential Info Acne is linked to hormones that fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, and for this reason, doctors sometimes prescribe birth control pills to stabilize hormones and reduce acne. The most common type of birth control pill, called combined oral contraceptives …

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) vs. Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)

AHAs and BHAs are Both Hydroxy Acids Used to Treat Acne, but Differ in How They Affect the Skin The Essential Info Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are acids used to treat a variety of skin diseases, including acne, and are available in: Over-the-counter Products Professionally-administered Peels Examples of Widely-used AHAs: …

Is Pizza Bad for Acne?

Follow These Suggestions to Enjoy Pizza When You Have Acne The Essential Info I hesitate to even write an article like this because my youth was dominated by avoiding certain “bad foods for acne” I would read about. As you read through this information, keep in mind that having a few slices of pizza on occasion …

Antibiotic Resistance in Acne Treatment

Antibiotic Treatment for Acne Is Worsening the Worldwide Problem of Antibiotic Resistance The Essential Info Acne is in part a bacterial disease, and antibiotics can help to keep bacteria in check in the short term and to a limited degree in some people. They may also help reduce the inflammatory component of acne, but again, only …

Do Hormones Cause Cystic Acne?

Yes, Hormones Play an Important Role in the Development of Cystic Acne in Both Males and Females, and Often the Treatment of Cystic Acne in Females The Essential Info Androgens (male hormones present in both males and females) increase the production of skin oil, which can lead to an increase in both regular acne and …

What Medications Can Cause Acne?

Common Medications That Cause Acne Include Corticosteroids, Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS), Lithium, Isoniazid, Halogens, and EGFR Inhibitors (EGFR-I) The Essential Info Can Definitely Cause Acne: Based on research, common medications that often result in acne include: May Cause Acne: High doses of vitamin B supplements may also cause acne, particularly in females, but the evidence is …