What's the best way to treat acne ? That question is the monkey on our backs. We're going to look at the best way to treat acne and keep it in its cage so to speak. I think it has to be a multi pronged attack. YES it is a battle. One that has to be waged daily, atleast till our early to mid twenties, for most of us.

For this article I'm going to use the "kiss" method. Keep It Simple Stupid . There is allot of great technical information available. I'm boiling it down to some easy to understand battle plans.

So let's first look at our enemy and the forces that would free it. Acne vulgaris is the most common type that teens get. The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results from several factors. The main factor is high hormone levels. These hormones increase in both boys and girls during puberty. The hormones cause a gland at the base of the hair follicle to produce higher levels of an oily substance called sebum. These glands are most prevalent in the hair follicles concentrated in the face, back, neck and shoulders. The acne comes about when the pores get clogged by skin cells and the sebum gets trapped .The sebum and the cells turn into bacteria. That causes the infection.

Other factors related to acne are heredity, environmental pollution and even somewhat to what we eat and drink. But here I must say that the myth of eating chocolate is NOT true. I'll go more into the foods we eat later. Several factors can make acne worse. When the skin is scrubbed hard, acne can become worse. Hormone levels in girls and women may cause worse acne 2-7 days before their menstrual period starts. Squeezing can spread the infection. Hats, helmets and even bangs can be places where oils can gather. Certain drugs are known to cause acne. Leaning on or rubbing your face can clog the pores. Greasy, heavy makeup is also a contributing factor.

So -what's the best way to treat acne, and keep that monkey in its cage?

Many people see a dermatologist. They can prescribe drugs that work on lowering the hormone levels as well as other topical treatments. Recently blue laser treatments have become popular. But for this article we are covering simple things that we can do at home.

The first and longest term plan, I feel is your diet. Although as stated acne isn't caused by chocolate, proccesed and greasy foods, those foods may contribute to producing oils and fats in your body. Nutritionists at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia studied 50 boys with acne, moderate to severe. Half of the boys were given diets high in processed foods while the other half were given a more natural diet consisting of wholegrain breads, pastas and legumes, foods with a low glycemic index. These low- GI foods are digested and absorbed by the body slowly, producing more subtle fluctuations in blood sugar (glucose) and insulin levels. They were also given plenty of proteins such as red meat and seafood. Also drinking plenty of water helps the body flush out the bad things.

The second plan here is to cleanse the face in the morning and evening. You don't want to over do it or use harsh cleansers. This dries out your face and then your body will over produce oils to compincate.You want to use a mild abrasive wash and not scrub hard. After your face is dry then apply an oil free moisturizer. There are several companies that make products that work together, or regiments. I prefer the natural type regiments. Also paying special attention to areas where oils gather like hats and bangs etc.

Now if and I should say when you get an accurance, that monkey out of the cage. There are several over the counter applications that help open the pores and clean the infected area. Here again I prefer the natural ingredients. But there are several commercial products that work well. The most effective are those containing benzyl peroxide, salicylic acids, sulfur and sulfur with resorcinol. Above all don't squeeze the area. This will cause a spread and most likely a scar. Less widely used treatments Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory in skin infections Niacinamide, (Vitamin B3) used topically in the form of a gel, has been shown in a 1995 study to be more effective than a topical antibiotic used for comparison, as well as having less side effects Topical niacinamide is available both on prescription and over-the-counter. Even some home remedies have had some good results. One is that when the area is just starting to show signs of an outbreak. Place an ice cube in saran wrap and put it on the effected area. Not too long just a bout 2 minutes. Too long can cause frost bite. This brings down the swelling and helps with redness. Also toothpaste is said to draw out the oil. Not gels, use paste .As a side note, toothpaste also helps the itch from insect bites, like mosquitoes. A warm compress or shower before cleansing, to open pores.

To conclude, the fact that eating good foods to help keep the system flushed, thorough not harsh cleaning are the best ways to keep that door shut. If it opens a crack then the best way to treat acne breakout, is I feel natural ingredient formulas. All ways of treating acne don't work for everyone. That's the bad news but if you try different things and when you find what works best for you, get into a routine and life style habits that keep that monkey where it belongs.