Acne Cream
By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH
Acne is a very common condition that many of us will have to deal with at some point. Therefore, it is likely that we will also try some type of acne cream or preparation to help treat or prevent acne. There are literally hundreds of products available, and it can be quite confusing when trying to choose. Herbal Acne Creams Herbal acne creams (preferably organic) are one great option for dealing with acne. They are usually very safe and contain no harmful chemicals or excipients. The following herbs are often included in herbal acne preparations. (You may want to talk with an herbalist about how to make homemade acne cream.)
Aloe: Aloe has powerful properties that can be used to fight infection and promote healing. Available in ointments or creams, aloe works great on blemishes and scars. For acne scars, apply acne cream containing aloe in the evening, and allow it to dry overnight. This will help hide the visibility of scars, and improve the overall appearance of your skin too. We recommend AloeCalm™ from Oasis Advanced Wellness.
Amaranth: Amaranth is common in acne preparations. It is a potent but mild skin cleanser that reduces your risk of developing acne. (If you are making your own acne cream using amaranth, be sure to boil the seeds for about five minutes and then add the leaves to the tea before using.)
Basil: Basil has a reputation as an effective acne fighter. There are several basil-based acne treatments available. Check with your local health food store.
Burdock: This herb is also very popular for treating acne, and is commonly found in many acne creams.
Calendula: Many acne creams contain calendula because of its abilities to heal acne and act as an overall cleanser.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the native Australian tree Melaleuca alternifolia. It has powerful antiseptic properties that are very useful for cleansing and protecting the skin. Studies have shown that tea tree oil is just as effective as benzoyl peroxide at battling acne, and is much less drying to the skin. The Safety of Acne Creams Like any other "drug," pharmaceutical acne medications and preparations must go through testing before they are approved to be sold. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency responsible for giving the green light to these skin care products. In theory, it is up to the manufacturers to "prove" that their products are safe and effective. However, there are many products that make many unsubstantiated claims in this multi-billion dollar industry called "skin care." Acne creams and other products promise beautiful youthful skin, but they don't always come through. How does a consumer know if a product is safe and effective? Here are a few tips regarding the purchase of skin care products, including acne cream.
Know the Source. The internet is a terrific resource for research and information, and it provides access to many health care products as well. However, as the old saying goes, "Buyer Beware!" The majority of skin care vendors on the internet are reputable, but there are some scammers out there as well. It's so hard to tell on the net. You would probably be suspicious of somebody selling skin care products out of the trunk of their car, but the same person could set up a website and easily appear as a trustworthy, established company. Proceed with caution when buying anything, especially a health product over the internet. Be especially cautious if a lot of hype-marketing is used or too-good-to-be-true "claims" are being made.
Ask Questions. Be sure you know what you have purchased, and how to use it. Check the ingredient list. If an ingredient list is not providing on the website, then this should raise a huge red flag. Any legitimate manufacturer should have a toll-free customer service number with a live person you can talk to and ask questions.
Get A Recommendation. Ask someone in the know, such as your health care provider or a trusted friend who is experienced with your particular skin care issue. Recommendations can steer you in the right direction so that you can use a product that has safely worked for others.
About the Author
Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Clinical Herbalist in Houston, TX and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. Under her leadership, OAW is known and respected as one of the leading companies in providing safe, clean and hi-tech natural health and wellness solutions for whole body wellness. Because of the need for high-end natural and organic skin care products, Dr. Lanphier has developed Lanique Botanicals, an all-natural skin care line which promotes natural health and anti-aging solutions for the skin. All Lanique Botanicals and OAW developed products are free of toxic ingredients, heavy metals, irradiation, excipients and preservatives and are certified organic, organic, wild crafted or of the highest purity and quality that we can obtain while still providing the utmost degree of active ingredients. All product batches are laboratory tested to ensure that you are getting exactly what the label states. We will never knowingly compromise health in order to provide a cheaper product or to get a product out quickly. Lanphier is Editor and contributor to the worldwide Free E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. Please visit us at Oasis Advanced Wellness, the PMS-Progesterone-Menopause Resource Center, the Acne Resource Center, the Glyconutrient Resource Center, the Allergy-Asthma-Sinus Relief Resource Center and www.oasisserene.com
