Skin inflammation that afflicts, to some degree, about 80% of all individuals between the ages of 12 and 24. Sebaceous glands, located in each hair follicle, produce oil to lubricate skin. When oil becomes trapped, bacteria multiply and cause inflammation. The Sebum produced by the glands cannot escape because the Hair Follicles become blocked by Keratin. The Keratin blockage becomes black, forming Blackheads.

No exact cause is known, but factors contributing to acne include: heredity, oily skin, increased production of androgens with onset of puberty. Additional factors include oral contraceptives, allergies, stress, and consumption of
processed foods.

Prevalence - 85% of the population aged between 12 and 25 are affected by Acne:

- The most commonly afflicted group is pubescent boys.
- The second most commonly afflicted group is women aged 20 - 40.
- Acne is the most prevalent Skin Ailment in the Western world.
- Some aspects of Acne are hereditary.

THESE SUBSTANCES ALLEVIATE OR PREVENT ACNE

• Carbohydrates - Lentinan (cream applied topically) alleviates Acne.
• Enzymes - Acne patients often exhibit low serum Glutathione Peroxidase levels.
• Hormones - Estriol (cream applied topically) alleviates (premenstrual) Acne and improves the appearance of Acne Scars. Progesterone (cream applied topically) alleviates many cases of Acne in adult women (by counteracting the excessive production of Androgens that causes most cases of adult Acne in women).
• Hydroxy Acids - Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (including Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid) (applied topically) alleviate Acne.
  Salicylic Acid (diluted and applied topically) is sometimes utilized in the treatment of Acne (it “unplugs” blocked Sebaceous Glands via its exfoliant properties.).
• Lipids - Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) (consumed internally) alleviates Acne. Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) alleviates Acne (consumed internally).

Minerals - Acne (especially when associated with itching pimples) can be a symptom of Calcium deficiency. Chromium alleviates Acne. Acne can occur as a result of Potassium deficiency - Potassium Chloride is the preferred form of Potassium for alleviating Acne. Selenium (200 mcg per day combined with 10 mg Vitamin E for six to twelve weeks) alleviates Acne in patients with low serum Glutathione Peroxidase levels. Silicon accelerates the healing of Acne. Sulfur (at low concentrations) is employed in some topically applied Pharmaceutical Drugs used in the treatment of Acne.

Many adolescent Acne patients have low levels of Zinc and supplemental Zinc (90 - 135 mg per day) has been shown to improve the condition of Acne patients in 75% of cases: research

• - Zinc (applied topically) reduces the Inflammation associated with Acne and retards the production of the excessive quantities of Sebum that causes the clogging of the Pores in Acne patients.
  - Generally, improvements in Acne following Zinc therapy do not become apparent until approximately twelve weeks from the commencement of Zinc supplementation.

• Organic Acids - Azelaic Acid (applied topically) alleviates Acne (it inhibits the Propionibacterium acnes Bacteria that can cause Acne and also prevents the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the Skin - a process that is believed to be an underlying cause of some cases of Acne).

• Skin Improvers - Topical
  
  Retin-A (applied topically) can totally eliminate Acne after four months of usage. research
  Retinoylbeta-Glucuronide (RBG) substantially clears the Skin of the visible signs of Acne.

• Sulfuric Compounds - Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) (consumed orally or lotion applied topically) alleviates Acne.

• Vitamins
  - Folic Acid (5,000 - 10,000 mcg per day) improves the Skin condition of Acne patients (in up to 87% of cases).
  - Lipoic Acid (cream/lotion applied topically) accelerates the healing of the Scarring caused by Acne.
  - Acne can occur as a result of Vitamin A deficiency (doses of supplemental Vitamin A of 100,000 - 300,000 IU per day are generally used to clear this Vitamin A deficiency in Acne patients, but this requires caution as this is regarded as a very high (potentially toxic) dosage).
  - Vitamin B2 alleviates some cases of Acne.
  - Vitamin B3 (gel containing 4% of the Niacinamide form applied topically twice per day) alleviates Acne.
  - Vitamin B5 (in large doses of 10,000 mg per day) totally clears many cases of Acne.
  - Vitamin B6 (50 mg per day) alleviates Acne where Acne is associated with Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).
  - Vitamin E is an adjunct in Acne treatment (due to its ability to enhance the function of Vitamin A and Selenium).

Water - Cold Water (applied topically) increases circulation to the Skin in Acne patients.

Foods/Herbs That Can Alleviate or Prevent Acne

Bee Foods
Propolis (tincture or ointment applied topically) clears the blemishes associated with Acne (anecdotal reports claim that the blemishes associated with Acne clear after two weeks of topical Propolis treatment). Oral administration of Propolis may also be effective. research

Herbs

• Aloe vera (gel applied topically) alleviates Acne (by killing the Propionibacterium acnes Bacteria that causes Acne).
• Burdock reputedly alleviates Acne (according to folklore).
• Calendula (Marigold) eliminates the blemishes associated with Acne without any scarring.
• Chaparral alleviates Acne (according to folklore).
• Chaste Berry (40 drops of Chaste Berry fluid extract per day) alleviates some cases of premenstrual Acne (i.e. the Acne that occur in some women in association with Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)).
• Goldenseal (applied topically) alleviates Acne (according to folklore).

Oils (dietary)

• Evening Primrose Oil may alleviate Acne (due to its Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) content).
• Fish Oils improve the condition of many Acne patients.
• Flax Seed Oil improves the condition of many Acne patients.

Oils (non-dietary)

• Lavender (oil applied topically) inhibits the Propionibacterium acnes Bacteria that causes Acne. It also soothes the Skin and balances its acidity. It also helps to control the excessive secretion of Sebum on which Propionibacterium acnes thrives.
• Neem Oil (as an ingredient in Soaps and Skin creams and applied topically) can help to prevent the Skin's pores from becoming infected.
• Oregano Oil (applied topically) alleviates Acne.
• Tea Tree Oil (applied topically for five to six weeks) improves the visual appearance of the lesions that affect Acne patients.

Seeds

• Fenugreek Seeds alleviate teenage Acne (according to anecdotal reports).
• Grapefruit Seed Extract (applied topically) may be useful for the treatment of Acne (due to the ability of Grapefruit Seed Extract to inhibit/kill the Propionibacterium acnes Bacteria that is implicated in Acne).

Sprouts

• Rye Sprouts (concentrated extracts of Rye Sprouts such as Acno cream applied topically) alleviate Acne (according to the observations of some dermatologists).

Vegetables
Rhubarb (juice) alleviates the Itching and Pain associated with Acne (due to Anthraquinones in Rhubarb).

These Substances Can Cause or Exacerbate Acne

Hormones

• Excessive endogenous production of (or administration of exogenous) Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) can cause Acne.

• Lipids
• Excessive consumption of dietary Fats can cause Acne by increasing Sebum production from the Sebaceous Glands of the Skin.
• Trans Fatty Acids can cause Acne.

Microorganisms
Propionibacterium acnes is implicated in the development of Acne:

- Propionibacterium acnes multiplies within the Sebaceous Glands and produce large quantities of the Lipase enzyme which metabolizes the Sebum in the Sebaceous Glands to other Fatty Acids. These Fatty Acids cause Inflammation and eventual rupture of the Sebaceous Glands.

Minerals

• Excessive consumption of Bromine can cause Acne.
• Iodine supplementation can sometimes exacerbate Acne.
• Excessive Lithium levels can cause Acne.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

• Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (A-ASs) can cause Acne - this Acne occurs due to A-ASs causing an increase in Sebum production by the Sebaceous Glands and usually subsides upon discontinuation of A-ASs usage.
• Testosterone Cypionate has a high potential for causing Acne.
• Barbiturates can cause Acne.
• Cyclosporine can cause Acne.
• Dilantin can cause Acne in some persons.

Proteins
Excessive deposition of Keratin in the Skin (keratinization) is involved in the development of Acne.

These Foods Cause or Exacerbate Acne

• Processed Foods
• Excessive consumption of Margarine can cause Acne (due to the Trans Fatty Acids in most brands of Margarine).

These Ailments can Cause Acne

• Digestive System
• Hypochlorhydria (insufficient production of Hydrochloric Acid) is the underlying cause of some cases of Acne.
• Intestinal Permeability is the underlying cause of some cases of Acne.

Metabolism

• Mature age Acne can occur as a result of malfunctions of the Liver.
  
  Musculoskeletal System

• 
  Acne can occur as a result of the PMS-P form of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).
  
  Acne can Cause these Ailments
  Skin - Acne can cause Enlarged Pores.

Myths Dispelled

• Chocolate is often blamed for Acne flare-ups. Controlled scientific studies do not support this.
• Milk is often blamed for Acne due to its Progesterone content. Scientific studies have disproved this theory, even though milk can be a culprit if there is a lactose intolerance.

Dietary Strategy:
Avoid refined sugar and carbohydrates (Xylitol recommended as sugar replacement), and fried foods. Identify and eliminate food allergies.

For best results, all suggested products should be taken