:Clear Skin Blog

Especially after the holidays, we commonly to find ourselves facing the new year with new hopes, new gifts, new resolutions, and probably a few new extra pounds. If you’re reading this, getting rid of acne may just be one of those resolutions. Luckily, with the right approach, losing weight and attaining clear skin can go hand-in-hand.

If you’re looking to shed a few pounds, one of the best places to start is your diet. It’s convenient then that a healthy, low-fat diet is also great for your skin. Fresh fruits and vegetables are both low in saturated fats, sugars and carbs, and also packed with the essential vitamins and minerals that your skin needs to combat acne. Leafy green veggies and low-sugar fruits such as grapefruits and berries are among the ultimate clear skin foods. Likewise, foods that are a problem for weight control (such as fried food, junk food, etc.) are also not the greatest thing for staying acne-free, since they promote excess skin oil production, so you’ll be doing your skin a favor by avoiding them.

After your diet, exercise is the second pillar of weight loss, and here again it can help with clear skin. Don’t misunderstand, even very athletic people can still suffer from acne, but having a healthy metabolism almost always aids in recovery. Exercise enhances your metabolism, which in turn enhances your body’s ability to break down both skin oil and problem foods that might otherwise result in problems for your complexion. Exercise also promotes healthy blood circulation to reduce inflammation and make sure the nutrients from those foods you’re eating are able to efficiently get where they need to go.

Maybe you’re also taking supplements to help give you an edge in the battle against the bulge. Well, it turns out that many of the supplements designed to combat acne are also useful for weight loss (and visa-versa). Many users of vitamin B5 acne treatment report an increased appetite due to B5’s effect in enhancing your metabolism (which can impact the metabolism of more than just skin oil). Supplements intended to curb your appetite may be less effective, but those designed for increasing the rate that your body breaks down food can also have beneficial effects for your skin.

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It’s that time of the year again! During the cold winter months, dry skin becomes a problem for many, and that dry skin can lead to acne. When your skin cells are sapped of their normal moisture, they grow less supple and more vulnerable to irritation. Rashes, blotches, acne and peeling can result.

When the air is cold and dry, you have to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. You can’t just follow the same old routine and expect healthy skin. If the weather changes, change with it! You can avoid excessive dryness by following these natural moisturizing tips.

Water - This one is pretty obvious, but a lot of people forget about it. Drink more water! Throughout the day, make sure you’re drinking a tall glass of water whenever you get the chance. Don’t just wait until you’re thirsty. Give your body a water surplus to keep those cells hydrated.

Also, avoid washing with very hot water. It can seem tempting to bask in hot water when it’s cold outside, but never do so right before exposing your skin to cold temperatures. The hot water naturally saps your skin of moisture and causes your pores to dilate, making for a deadly combination if you don’t let your skin rejuvenate before facing the elements.

Aloe Vera - This natural herb is great for soothing and moisturizing your skin, plus it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe Vera is typically used to treat dry skin and sunburns, and makes for a great soothing balm if you need something to stop your skin from peeling or even reduce the appearance of acne at the same time.

Honey - Honey is another natural moisturizer that can have a powerful effect in protecting your skin. It’s rich in key vitamins and helps maintain the elasticity of your skin cells. Applying a honey mask at night (perhaps mixing honey with sugar to thicken the mixture and aid with exfoliation) can help rejuvenate your skin after a long day exposed to the weather.

Olive Oil - It’s not just for cooking! Olive oil can help repair dry skin and also reduce itchiness and irritation. It can even aid in combating psoriasis and acne. This may sound greasy, but olive oil actually dries clean and will not clog your pores. Try applying a thin layer before bed or adding some to a spray bottle and using it in the shower before rinsing off.

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Besides vitamins and minerals, some of the best supplements you can take to improve your skin are essential fatty acids (EFAs). These are your omega-3/6/9 fatty acids found in products such as fish oil. I personally take an EFA capsule every day in addition to Clear5. So how do these nutrients help your skin, and what are the best sources?

The EFA that is most commonly deficient is omega-3. Most people actually get too much omega-6 in proportion to it, and this can contribute to skin conditions such as acne. There are 3 types of omega-3 fatty aids. ALA is the “parent” acid, which is converted into the other 2. Alpha Linolenic Acid is actually helpful in its own right, as it forms a component in sebum (which in this case is actually a *good* thing, as sebum with more linolenic acid is less likely to form clumps), however it takes both time and a significant amount of ALA to form the other two acids, which are more readily utilized by the body. EPA and DHA are the other two, and both play many essential roles throughout the body, from bolstering your immune system to aiding with healthy blood flow and brain functions. These nutrients are integral to your physical and mental health.

But what about combating acne? It turns out that EFAs are especially important for your skin. They are extremely powerful in reducing and preventing inflammation, aiding your immune system in eliminating impurities from your skin cells and blood, speeding the healing of minor wounds or scars, regulating your sebaceous glands, and keeping your skin cells supple and hydrated. Many acne sufferers have reported great results, even in cases of severe acne, when supplementing with EFAs. Plus, they make a great addition when combined with a oil-metabolizing and circulation-enhancing supplement like vitamin B5.

You can get EFA supplements in many forms, with some of the most popular being fish oil, cod liver oil, krill oil, flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil. However, they are not all the same. You should note that most EFA supplements from plant sources only provide the ALA form of omega-3, and it takes a lot of ALA to make DHA. For this reason many find it beneficial to take fish/krill/cod liver oil instead, as they directly provide EPA and DHA in a ready form. Cod liver oil is also commonly rich in vitamin A. However, krill oil is by far my recommended choice, as, besides being harvested naturally from the arctic rather than a fish farm with high levels of mercury, it is also rich in the super-antioxidant astaxanthin, providing as much as 10x the antioxidant content compared to alternatives such as fish oil.

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Hey! Our latest advertising campaign for Clear5 is going strong, with these new radio ads currently running. Unlike our TV commercials which were more explanatory, this time I wanted to go with something that was a bit more fun, while still communicating some of the benefits of vitamin B5 acne treatment. Check out the video below for the result. The catchy, corny rock jam at the end is definitely my favorite part, and it sounds a lot better now that I’m not the one singing it ^_^

These spots are only playing in Florida right now, but maybe you’ll get a chance to hear them elsewhere in the future. You may have noticed that we’re also offering free shipping on all orders to the USA and Canada now (international shipping is cheaper also), so if you’re in need of restocking your Clear5 supply, now is a great time. Don’t forget to help spread the word about B5 acne treatment!

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Despite being highly effective in stopping acne, Accutane has earned itself a pretty infamous reputation, thanks to its many (often serious) side effects, ranging from cramps and rashes to mood swings and suicide. The latest link to be found is between Accutane and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and it hammers the point further than this is not a prescription treatment you should be on, no matter how bad your acne is.

Accutane is a vitamin A derivative that works by targeting your body’s regulation of skin oil, forcing your sebaceous glands to stop producing excess oil. Since excess skin oil is to blame in the majority of acne cases, this approach is very effective, and has made Accutane the prescription treatment of last resort for acne sufferers. However, even great results aren’t worth the risk of something as serious as IBS or Crohn’s Disease. These are not just temporary side effects - they’re conditions that can cause life-long impairment, and in some cases even death. Accutane may wreak some real damage on your digestive tract, causing your bowels to become chronically inflamed or irritated. These conditions are not easy to treat, and in cases like Crohn’s Disease, may be impossible to cure.

So don’t risk it.

Remember that vitamin A and its derivatives should only be taken at reasonable doses and under the supervision of a medical professional. Many acne sufferers need more vitamin A, but follow my advice and get it in its more natural form as beta-carotene, such as you would by eating more carrots. Beta-carotene makes for a safer intake method, since your body can more easily eliminate any potentially harmful excess before it becomes toxic. Accutane may get it right by targeting skin oil regulation, but there are better alternatives for combating the same problem, including safely increasing your body’s metabolism of skin oil with vitamin B5.

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While recently browsing some resources and reviews that discus vitamin B5 acne treatment, I’ve noticed a bit of consfusion. Some authors out there mistakenly make the assumption that vitamn B5 treatment is all about combating acne by preventing a deficiency in vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). They come to the conclusion that, since B5 deficiency is rare, such a strategy is probably a waste of time and money, and is unlikely to do anything for you. These reviewers usually skim the information pages of sites like Acne-Vitamins, but don’t actually make any effort to understand the research.

Vitamin B5 acne treatment is not about preventing a deficiency.

Yes, vitamin B5 deficiencies have been linked to acne, but these deficiencies are fairly rare. The reason, as some authors point out, is that dietary sources of vitamin B5 are plentiful. It’s no lie. Good sources of vitamin B5 include: beef, pork, chicken, fish, wheat, oats, sunflower seeds, broccoli, corn, mushrooms, potatoes, squash, avocadoes, green beans, grapefruits, raspberries, watermelons, and more….You get the picture. Vitamin B5 is in almost everything, so how could you have a deficiency? You probably already get a sufficient supply from your diet. But here’s what they fail to mention:

If you have acne, you need more than just a “sufficient” supply of vitamin B5. You need a treatment-level dose.

Vitamin B5 acne treatment isn’t about making sure you get your recommended daily allowance of B5. It’s about giving your body a surplus - providing enough B5 that you can both produce hormones (which B5 fuels) and metabolize skin oil (which B5 fuels), without the later getting left out due to your body prioritizing hormone production. If you have a surplus of skin oil, you likewise need a surplus of vitamin B5 to counteract it, and you’re not going to get that from just your diet. A supplement like Clear5 is the easiest way to get your oily skin, and thus your acne, under control.

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I must confess, despite running Acne-Vitamins, I have actually been cutting down on my vitamin supplements lately. Sure, I still take the essentials like vitamin B5, but for many of my other vitamin needs, I’ve found that eating berries can be both a more effective and more delicious solution. And among those berries, blueberries have become my go-to berry of choice. Here’s why:

Blueberries don’t only taste great, they are also frequently ranked as the one of the healthiest foods in the entire human diet. Considered by many nutritional experts to be the highest natural source of antioxidants, blueberries have an advantage over typical supplements in that their vitamin contents are easily absorbed by the body, much more so than with tablets or capsules. They are rich in fiber, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E and riboflavin (vitamin B2). Blueberries also provide a great defense against free radicals, ensuring your skin looks younger, longer.

But enough with the science. What keeps me coming back to blueberries isn’t just that they are good for you. There are plenty of “power foods” that are great for your skin, including other berries. One of the great things about blueberries is that they’re simply practical. Blueberries are a fairly low-profile berry, easily found at the grocery store, and usually cheaper than alternative berries. I love raspberries too, but blueberries are less expensive, keep longer, and are easy to mix with a variety of other foods.

The usefulness of blueberries can be seen in how many skin care products actually use blueberry extract in their ingredients. Their skin care benefits are no secret. They are even found in topical creams and facial masks. Some users also take blueberry extract supplements, but I would recommend sticking with the berries themselves for best results.

So the next time you get the urge to snack, put down the chips and reach for some blueberries instead. You’ll have healthier skin and will likely lose a few pounds as well. Blueberries may not replace the power of a high-dose single supplement, and they won’t clear your skin from a serious breakout, but they’re a great natural multivitamin and an easy (and tasty) healthy skin food that won’t break the bank or steal hours of your life.

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Keratosis Pilaris is anything but rare. It is a skin condition that effects 40% of us, and is frequently mistaken for acne. Taking a look at it, it’s easy to see why so many make this mistake. Keratosis Pilaris (KP) appears as small, rough red bumps that most commonly form on the back of your upper arms, though it can crop up in other areas of the body as well. Similar to white or blackheads, your pores are usually visibly clogged, with tiny pustules surrounding your hair follicles. Other common problem areas include your thighs and chest.

If you’ve tried to treat KP with typical acne treatments, chances are you’ve found that they don’t work (of course, most of those treatments don’t work for acne either, but that’s another story…). There is no cure for KP, and while it is harmless and often less visible than a bad acne cyst, it can still be unpleasant to live with. One giveaway that separates KP from acne is that KP bumps don’t go away. Most acne blemishes will heal and eventually vanish if the pustule is removed, but KP is stubborn. Even if you pop a KP bump, it will come right back, right in the same place, over and over and over.

KP can occur at any age, and often goes hand-in-hand with dry skin. Keeping your skin properly moisturized can at least help diminish its appearance. This doesn’t just mean using a topical moisturizer. Drinking plenty of water is always the place to start when it comes to dry skin. Get those 8 glasses of water per day. Furthermore, supplementing with vitamin E and/or fish oil (or better yet, krill oil) can be a powerful way to keep your skin healthy and supple.

Proper exfoliation can also be somewhat effective against KP. I’d stay away from salicylic acid. Glycolic acid appears to give many KP sufferers better results. Just remember not to nuke your skin too bad (apply twice per day at the most!). Warm showers and a textured bath sponge can also make a difference. However, DO NOT just scrape at your skin with your fingernails. This will often lead to scarring, and can get you the exact opposite result that you want.

If you’ve got KP, stay calm. With the right steps you can minimize its appearance. Get desperate and take the wrong steps, and you’ll make it worse. I’d start with a daily krill oil supplement and regular (gentle) scrubbing in the shower every morning. It’s not acne, so don’t treat it as such, and for heaven’s sake don’t attack it.

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Sure, your skin may be mostly clear, but let’s say you’ve got acne that just keeps cropping up in one or two trouble spots on your body. What do you do? Well, the first thing is to realize that locational acne may not be caused by the typical acne causes, and as such, the usual treatments may not solve your problem. Even vitamin B5 may not be enough if you are doing something on the outside to clog up those pores.

Locational acne can take many forms, but there are a few problem areas common to many acne sufferers. For instance, many people whose faces are otherwise clear, still get stubborn breakouts along their hairline or jawline. With these type of problems, always start out by asking: How am I treating that part of my body differently?

For hairline acne, consider the styling products you use on your hair. You might not have realized it, but hair gel can most certainly clog your pores. If you slather it on thick and don’t wash it off along your hairline, acne can crop up there. Consider using gentler, non-comedogenic styling products and just easing off on your applications.

Shaving is a common cause of irritation for men’s skin along the jawline. In fact, this can contribute to acne along your neck and cheeks as well, even if you don’t suffer from acne blemishes along the typical areas of your T-zone. Keep in mind that a lot of this is not traditional acne at all, but scar tissue and ingrown hairs. You may need a more skin-friendly shaving regimen. Learn to shave with the grain rather than against it (or consider dry shaving), and switch to a less harsh aftershave lotion. I’ve written several guides on this subject, so you may want to check the search bar.

Locational acne isn’t limited to your face. Perhaps the most infamous area is the dreaded back acne (or “bacne”). Again, ask yourself what that area of your body is exposed to. Do you sit all day with your back glued to the back of a chair? Yes, keeping your pores pressed against sweaty fabric can lead to blockage. Do what you can to minimize that pressure, and remember to exfoliate. Areas like your back can often get fewer opportunities to shed dead skin cells than other areas of the body. Get yourself a back scrubber with some texture and use it regularly in the shower, scrubbing gently but firmly, to make sure those dead cells aren’t hanging around longer than they need to.

Remember that even seemingly innocent products, like toothpaste, can irritate your skin when they get where they aren’t supposed to be (blemishes in the corners of your lips? Try using a non-fluoride toothpaste). Always keep an open mind when considering your acne problem. Once you narrow down the cause, almost any acne affliction is treatable, and clear skin may be easier to achieve than you think.

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Sure, vitamin B5 acne treatment will solve most people’s acne problems within a few weeks, but what happens if you’re one of those who either doesn’t respond to acne vitamins or has blemishes that have alternative causes. While rare, these problems can occasionally crop up and prove a real hindrance to your peace of mind. Acne is bad enough when you know what’s causing it. When you don’t, well that’s even worse.

So you’ve got a stubborn acne problem and the traditional solutions aren’t working. What steps should you take to narrow down what’s causing your acne? Let’s first narrow down the type of acne: is it locational acne (a certain trouble spot on your body) or general acne (everywhere)?

If you suffer from widespread general acne - the type that effects both your face and body and just doesn’t seem to stop, the first things you should consider are your diet and general hygiene. Do you eat a well-balanced diet? Are you getting enough leafy green vegetables (you should - those veggies are a great source of skin-healthy vitamins, more readily absorbed than in typical supplements)? Maybe you’re eating something you shouldn’t be. Eat a lot of dairy products? Dairy foods are a problem for many people with acne-prone skin. Try cutting down on them. Processed grains are another potential area to cut back. Eat more berries and other fruit, and, as always, drink a lot of water.

As for general hygiene, you know I’ve said repeatedly that, in almost all cases, acne is not caused by that little amount of dirt and bacteria on the surface of your skin. However, that doesn’t mean you should live like a total slob. If you are not regularly taking a shower, if you are not washing your face at least once per day (with a gentle cleanser), then you may be inviting trouble. It’s not just about the dirt. Washing helps you exfoliate dead skin cells - cells that may otherwise clog your pores.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, maybe you’re washing too much. Some people get obsessive over skin care (you know who you are!) , and end up with drawers full of topical creams, cleansers and toners which they wash with 4 times per day, constantly irritating their skin and preventing the skin from accruing a natural, healthy level of protective skin oil. They may use overly harsh products and nuke their skin on a daily basis. This is just as bad as not washing at all. Here’s a hint: those people you see with clear skin? They’re not constantly washing their face with some 5-step system whenever you’re not looking. They don’t have to - and neither do you! Give your skin some time to breathe. Don’t wash more than twice per day. Don’t constantly fuss over your skin. Get away from the mirror. And when you do wash, make sure you’re using gentle products that won’t irritate.

Tune in next time for some advice on locational acne!

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