If you struggle with acne, it can feel like you are continuously trying to find a cure. You try product after product, but none of them seem to make a difference. You wash your face morning, noon and night, and never fail to exfoliate or apply your deep pore cleansing masque. You follow every acne-reducing tip you find, which means that you have completely eliminated French fries and chocolate from your diet. Yet, your acne remains. In fact, it only seems to get worse.

There is a simple explanation for your frustration. Acne sufferers often do things in an effort to help their acne subside, that in reality, are only causing their acne troubles to continue. Myths about the true causes of acne have resulted in a long list of 'treatments' that do nothing but damage. We have all heard the age old myth that eating chocolate causes acne. In truth, the foods you eat have almost nothing to do with acne. Many believe that acne is a result of 'dirty' skin or poor hygiene. Again, not true. In fact, scrubbing and over cleansing of the skin can actually cause acne to worsen due to irritation and dryness. So if you are currently trying to scrub your acne away, stop!

The true causes of acne are bacteria and hormones. Acne-causing bacteria live naturally on the skin's surface. The presence of bacteria is not a result of 'dirty' skin. This bacteria irritates your skin and also converts the oil produced by your into substances that irritate the skin even further. Hormones that cause acne trigger the oil glands in your skin to over produce. The excess oil then plugs your pores, resulting in acne. There are multiples causes of acne; however, acne caused by bacteria and hormones is the most common.

The best way to treat acne at home is probably different from what most would expect. The rule to live by when treating acne at home with product is to minimize irritation. Wash your face in the morning and in the evening with a mild cleanser and warm water. Find a mild cleanser that is specifically designed for acne, like B. Kamin's Hydrating Acne Wash. Then apply a topical acne lotion. There are thousands of products out there that claim to produce clear skin. However, the most effective acne lotions will contain one of two ingredients, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. They function differently but achieve the same result, which is accelerating the loss of dead skin cells to reduce pore blockage. The more effective acne lotions will contain one of these two ingredients, such as B. Kamin's Medicated Acne Gel, which allows you to spot treat your acne with benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient. Your dermatologist will be able to recommend the best home acne treatment for your case.

Living with acne can be frustrating and even emotional. However, you can take a proactive role in reducing the toll acne takes on your skin by educating yourself about acne treatment at home. Talk to your dermatologist or skin care professional about products that are known to be effective and the best home remedy for your acne situation to begin moving confidently toward clearer skin.