:Clear Skin Blog

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that is common among both children and adults. Although there are many forms of psoriasis that vary in intensity, plaque psoriasis is the most common form, characterized by raised patches of thick, reddened skin, covered with dead whitish scales. Psoriasis usually occurs in areas such as the scalp, elbows, knees, hands, feet and genitals. Itching and burning often follows.

Serious cases of psoriasis are best treated by a dermatologist. However, there are some natural supplements that may aid those with more moderate cases. Topical treatments, such as capsaicin cream or aloe, can also be helpful.

Fumaric acid, chemically bound in the form of fumaric acid esters, are among the most effective natural treatments. They have been repeatedly shown in multiple studies (including double-blind trials) to relieve psoriasis symptoms. However, due to the potential for serious side effects, fumaric acid esters should only be used with a doctor’s supervision. Provided that they are used properly, risk of toxicity is low and most should not experience dangerous or long-lasting side effects.

A more accessible natural treatment shown to relieve psoriasis symptoms is fish oil. Fish oil is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects, and may have multiple benefits for psoriasis sufferers. The fatty acid EPA, found in fish oil, is especially effective at combating psoriasis. Unfortunately, DHA, another fatty acid also found in fish oil, may cancel out some of the positive effects of EPA. High doses of fish oil are required to obtain the maximum benefit from EPA (such as 10 grams per day).

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Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is an essential member of the B-family of vitamins for maintaining clear and healthy skin. However, B3’s use in combating acne is different from simply taking extra supplements as you would with other B vitamins. In fact, extra care should be taken when considering vitamin B3 supplementation in higher-than-normal doses, as it’s much easier to overdose on, resulting in a negative skin reaction known as niacin flush (reddish flushing of the skin, often accompanied by irritation). For acne care, the most helpful application of vitamin B3 is actually via a topical cream or gel.

In topical application, vitamin B3 is used in the form niacinamide (also called nicotinamide), and is typically present in a 4-5% concentration. A double-blind medical study published in 1995 compared a 4% niacinamide gel with the popular acne treatment drug clindamycin. After a period of 8 weeks, it was found that 82% of those using niacinamide experienced reduced acne, compared with only 68% of clindamycin users. Following the medical study, positive press has spread similar to vitamin B5, with topical vitamin B3 users sharing their success stories and spreading some hype over the internet.

With the success many have witnessed using vitamin B3 gel, as well as the strong medical evidence to support it, you would think niacinamide gel would be more popular. Part of the reason you probably haven’t heard of it is due to the FDA. A number of niacinamide sellers have had to take their products off the shelves due to the FDA apparently requiring it to be sold via prescription-only. Why this is remains unclear, since niacinamide is a natural vitamin, not a drug (nor is it any more dangerous than many drugs currently sold OTC). However, there are still some sellers out there where you can obtain it without a prescription.

If you are in the market for a topical acne treatment (such as those in the small percent who simply don’t respond to B5 treatment), topical vitamin B3 may definitely be worth considering. If you can’t find it without a prescription, ask your dermatologist about 4% niacinamide gel and he/she should be able to help you out.

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Do you wash your face regularly, but frequently go without washing your hair? Dirt, oil and bacteria can build up in your hair and end up clogging your facial pores (especially around your forehead) if you don’t take care to wash your hair regularly, and, when possible, keep it out of your face. This is part of the reason many men find it easier to keep their skin clear when they have shorter hair.

For most people, hair tends to naturally become oily over time due to secretion by the oil glands in your hair follicles. While you’re asleep, this oil often seeps down from your hair into your face, pooling up in your pores. This contributes in a big way to the oily skin that many notice around their foreheads when they wake up in the morning. It’s often a good idea to either rinse your hair before bed or wear something to keep it out of your face. Keep in mind the bacteria in your hair can easily build up on your pillowcase, so change it regularly to be safe. If you have longer hair that’s frequently in contact with the skin of your face, this can be a constant pathway for the oil and bacteria that builds up in your hair to make its way onto your face and contribute to acne, so you need to take extra care to keep your hair clean.

As much as oil and bacteria naturally build up in the hair, we often add to the problem with hair styling products such as gels and creams. Many of these product contain chemicals that are actually known to cause acne (almost all hair gels are comedogenic). Do you make sure to wash off hair gels before going to bed? You probably should, as these products tend to seep down along your hairline, irritating your skin and leaving a residue that can contribute to acne. I know it’s not realistic to expect people to go without hair styling products, but remember the skin care risks of using these products and, when possible, use more sparing amounts rather than globbing them on. Cleanse your skin along your hairline after applying hair gel or creams, and always make sure to wash them out of your hair fully later on.

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Back acne is one of the most stubborn forms of acne, especially since your treatment options are usually limited by the fact that your back is simply hard to reach. There are some soaps and body washes that are intended to help treat body acne while in the shower, but for many, these formulas are simply too weak to give results. Thankfully, there are other options.

Baking soda is one of those “at home” alternative acne treatments that’s been getting a lot of good press. It’s traditionally been used to treat facial acne, either as a mask or exfoliating scrub. However, it can also be remarkably effective when used to treat body acne. Baking soda provides benefits such as neutralizing pH levels, reducing inflammation, and dislodging clogged bacteria.

To prepare it, slowly mix warm water into baking soda powder until the solution becomes a paste. Since you have to apply it to your back, you may want to purchase a body sponge for this purpose. A foam sponge will usually work better than a net sponge or loofah. Apply the paste to the sponge and spread the solution liberally over the problem areas of your back. Allow the paste to dry. Some users with sensitive skin may start to feel a slight burning sensation, in which case go ahead and rinse off to avoid over-drying. Otherwise, simply wait until the paste has fully dried and then rinse it off. The baking soda needs at least some time to penetrate your skin in order to give best results.

Back acne is no fun, and even with an effective internal treatment that prevents new zits, current acne can stick around for a long time in the thick layers of skin on your back. Even baking soda may not give immediate results. Most users see improvement within a week, but keep in mind that it can take a few weeks depending on your skin’s resistance. Still, there are a lot of users reporting good results, so it’s worth a shot. Thankfully, baking soda is fairly inexpensive. The main downside is the same as most external treatments for body acne: they can be a bit of a pain to regularly apply.

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It’s said that 80% of diseases can be prevented by better hand washing. Most of the bacteria that finds its way to your face also gets there via the hands. While dirt and bacteria are not “causes of acne” for most people, they may contribute to the problem. So let’s look at some of the most common mistakes made when washing your hands:

Washing for too short a time - If you’re washing your hands for less than 10 seconds, you’re simply not doing much good. Dirt and bacteria cling to your skin with ease, and effective cleansing means taking a little time and care. I remember hearing about a professor who used a microscope to do a before-and-after comparison of two students’ skin. One washed for 15 seconds and the other for a minute. Seen close-up, that extra time makes a dramatic difference.

Rinsing without soap - The skin on your hands is tougher than the skin on your face, and thus using soap more frequently is not only safe but usually preferable. With a surface as frequently exposed to bacteria as your hands, there is a big difference between washing with soap and simply rinsing.

Not lathering/keeping your hands under running water - Soap doesn’t get a chance to work if you don’t actually lather up your hands thoroughly. Take your hands out of the water and lather well for some time before rinsing them off.

Missing areas - It may sound hard to miss an area on your hands, but many people simply don’t bother to wash the backs of their hands or in between their fingers. These area get exposed to plenty of dirt and bacteria, so make sure not to neglect them when washing.

Drying with a dirty towel - Seriously, why bother washing your hands if you’re going to dry them off with a grimy old towel that’s desperately in need of a wash itself? This is one of those often-overlooked things that you should really keep in mind if you’re concerned about skin care. Damp towels can actually attract bacteria, so change your bathroom towels regularly. It doesn’t help you any to expose your hands or face to a surface that’s only going to undo what you accomplished by washing.

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Vitamin B5 is also called pantothenic acid, but in addition to this, it may also be labeled on vitamin supplements as “calcium pantothenate”. This last term is the more technical name which describes the molecular compound you are actually taking. Basically, whenever you are taking vitamin B5 in solid form, you can bet there is some calcium present. The calcium helps to stabilize the molecule in a solid state.

This added calcium has raised concerns among some acne sufferers who turn to vitamin B5 acne treatment. After all, if you’re taking a large dose of vitamin B5, that means you may also be taking in a lot of calcium. Too much calcium can put a strain on your kidneys, potentially leading to kidney stones and other complications.

So how big is this risk, and can it be prevented? Let’s take a look at the facts.

The calcium present in vitamin B5 usually accounts for about 10% of the formulation. So if you were to take 3,000 mg (3g) per day of vitamin B5 (which is the recommended Clear5 starting dosage), that would mean a calcium intake of approximately 300 mg. That’s about the same amount of calcium as in one glass of milk. For most age groups, the recommended daily allowance of calcium is at least 1,000 mg. Even doses slightly above the RDA are generally safe. Doses known to cause kidney problems are usually in the range of 3+ times the RDA.

As such, unless you’re taking an extremely high dose of vitamin B5, the health risk is very small. Even a mega-dose intake of 10,000 mg may not present much risk if your diet is light on dairy products. In fact, many individuals may actually benefit from the added calcium.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious. The best protection against problems related to excess calcium is to do something you probably should be doing anyways: drinking plenty of water. Whether you’re taking B5 or not, it’s always a good idea to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. This flushes out excess calcium and other unwanted substances from your kidneys (and elsewhere), and promotes the overall health of your body.

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