Night # 2

Tonight I repeated the regimen. I am really beginning to see a big difference in my skin. My mom said she noticed it too. My confidence is definitely getting stronger!

Day # 2

When I looked in the mirror this morning the mother of a pimple that was on my chin was damn near gone, so were most of the other bumps that I had on my face from the day before. There weren't completely gone but I do see a significant difference. Also my face was not dry like it has been the past couple winter weeks. After I take my shower I will repeat the same thing as I did yesterday: wash my face with an antibacterial soap and apply a small amount of the cream to affected areas. Then with some breakfast I will take my neem capsule. I am not aware to any side effects that the neem capsules my have. In my research I didn't find any and I don't feel any different. I will continue to keep you guys updated and I will post some pics later of my skin before and after the I used the cream.

In the Middle of the Night

Around two o'clock this morning I woke up to the sound of my cat in heat and the dog barking next door. In my sleepless stupor I started to touch my face, thats when I realized that I was not feeling the cream anymore. However my face felt really smooth. So I went to the bathroom and reapplied the cream because I think that most of it must have rubbed off on my pillow when I applied it on my face before going to bed. Also today I had one mother of a pimple on my chin and now it's almost flat and it doesn't hurt anymore. My faith in this product is growing. Before I wasn't sure if I got the right thing but now I think they might have just done some minor marketing and that's probably why the package looked different. With my dinner tonight I also took one of the neem capsules. The website said that it takes several weeks to see results so I don't think that they are the determining factor right now with my skin. In the morning I will post again, take care.

5hrs later

It's been five hours later and I just touched my face and it felt like I was still wearing make up. For all you male readers out there it feels like having a moist-like mask on your face. I don't like the way my face feels. I guess I expected it to feel fresh and clean except it feels like the exact opposite. I'll update again in 5 hours.

It is finally here!

My package arrived this afternoon. When I opened the giant envelope the first thing I realized was the cream just said pimple cream. Not acne-n-pimple cream which it was advertised as on its website. Then when I looked at the ingredients they only listed Aloe Vera, Lentil, Silk Cotton Tree, and Five-leaved Chaste Tree, NOT TURMERIC!! I really wanted to use this product because the website stated that turmeric was one of the main herbal ingredients used in it. So anyways I washed my face with a regular anti-bacterial soap and applied the cream to my face. The cream is very thick but it doesn't take too long to work it in. I felt like I as putting concealer on my face or some kind of make up and my face looked that way also. The color of the cream is a brownish oatmeal looking color. It blended in well with my brown skin. However I thought about how it might look on someone of a lighter skin or even a darker skin. I guess it would look the same because it just looks like I am wearing a powder or something like that on my face. When I came out of the bath room my mom said that she could barely see any of my spots at all. Not because the cream had magically cure them but because they were disguised by the cream. Tonight I will post again to let you all know how my skin stood up during the day time.

The Neem Capsules unlike the pimple cream looked like it did on the website. (I think I will call customer service just to double check to see if I got the right thing or not.) The directions on the capsules stated that I am to take 1 or 2 capsules twice daily with meals. So I ate a carrot and walnut muffin drank some OJ and took the capsule. It was easy going down.

If these products don't work I will be so angry but I have decided to give them 60 days before I give up. So for 60 days I will keep you all updated on my journey!! Take care, Dj.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Before I went to bed last night I washed my face with my Neutrogena facial wash and applied some benzoyl peroxide to my face and some moisturizer. This is something that I usually do but the benzoyl peroxide is a bit harsh on my face and makes it feel really hard. This technique works ok, but it is not something that I want to do all the time. It really dries out my face and it kind of burns a little. This is another reason why I want to try a natural product. I think that the neem capsules and the acne-n-pimples cream are going to help. The website said that I am suppose to take 1 or 2 capsules daily and apply the cream twice daily after washing my face. I am really going to stick to this plan. My birthday is in March and I plan on going to LA to celebrate. So far I am going alone, but I think I will have more fun this way. I want my face to look great by my birthday. That's my motivation. What's yours?

I can't wait to get my products!!

I love getting new products. The thought of cutting open the cardboard and smelling the fresh plastic fills me with joy. So today I did some research on the acne-and-pimple cream that I am getting. It was really hard to find reviews on it but I managed to find a couple on this website:

http://www.mouthshut.com/product-reviews/Himalaya_Acne-n-Pimple_Cream-925048182.html

I hope that this experiment of mine is not in vain and that many of you can benefit from it. I am so sick of people trying to market "wonder creams" and over night miracles. I know that the products I am going to try is not a cure but I sure hope it helps and I can't wait to share this part of the journey with you guys.

I have a job interview tomorrow and I was just in the bathroom mirror washing my face (with my Neutrogena face wash) and brushing my teeth when I realized how horrible my face looked. Then fear started to come over me and I really felt, well.....ugly. What if i don't get the job tomorrow because of my acne? What if the interviewer thinks that my face does not represent the image of their company. This is irony at its greatest. Here I am a woman who gives interviewing tips to everyone she meets terrified of going on an interview because of her acne. This really goes to show the emotional scars that acne can leave on a person.

A Few Home Remedies

	Mix the paste of tender neem leaves with turmeric and apply on the affected area, it helps to soothe the acne.
	A paste made from one teaspoon each of sandalwood powder and turmeric mixed with milk is very good. A paste of nutmeg and water is also beneficial.
	Half a cup of Aloe Vera pulp can be taken internally (Do not take internally if pregnant) or applied externally to the skin. Dosage: Twice a day.
	Before going to bed, wash the face thoroughly and then apply a paste of 1-Tsp. coriander juice mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder.
	For pimples, apply a paste made from one teaspoon of cumin seeds. Remove after one hour.
	A paste of fresh fenugreek leaves applied and washed off with warm water before going to bed prevents pimples.

http://www.allayurveda.com/topic_month_july2004.htm

Turmeric

I came across turmeric when I was researching natural ways to get rid of my acne scars.
http://www.acne-resource.org/understanding-acne/natural-treatment.html

Acne in severe forms need medical attention, but in its mild form and at the beginning, acne can be treated effectively by natural herbs and following natures way in our daily routine. These herbs, which help even in removing blemishes, are not from any exotic plants or some rare species. These are very common natural products and oils found in our day to day life.

Spices play a major role in keeping the skin, digestive system and immune system healthy. But one should know how to use them, and use them moderately. A little bit of spices in food help digestion, but excessively spicy food may upset digestion. Spices in raw form can be used in getting rid of acne and blemishes left it.

Fruits and vegetables are excellent in skin care if applied directly on the skin also. This happens due to the presence of minerals, essential oils and natural antioxidants in fruits and vegetables.

One very useful spice in treating acne is turmeric. Taken both internally and applied directly on affected skin, it helps a lot due to its antiseptic properties. Taken internally, particularly with warm milk, it helps our immune system and is generally used in India to get rid of colds, and applied as warm poultice in treating inflamed skin due to sprain and strain. In the treatment of acne, turmeric is useful in drying out acne and removing blemishes.

To use it on acne, make a creamy paste of turmeric with coconut oil (or sesame oil). You can either warm this paste in a tea spoon and then apply, or dab it just like that on the acne. Cover the acne and surrounding area completely with this paste. Use this paste at least 20 minutes before going to bed so that it dries before your face contacts the pillow.

Leave it overnight and you would be surprised to find in the morning the difference in the size of acne. Even acne produced by hormonal changes in women responds to this turmeric treatment greatly. It takes hardly 2-3 days for acne to vanish completely, without leaving a hint of ever having been on the skin spot.

This is the greatest advantage of turmeric treatment. It not only dries out the acne, it stops any blemish formation or making skin flaky or dry. It also is useful in having a glowing complexion if applied everyday on the whole face before taking a bath, even for 5-10 minutes. This “face mask” is routinely used by South Indian women and their clear, smooth skin is an indicator of its effectiveness.

Vegetables like cucumber and tomato are good in cleaning skin of extra oiliness. You can extract the juice of these vegetables your face five minutes every day and get a clean skin. But, remember, natural products do not work overnight. You have to give them at least 3-4 week’s time before you skin starts showing results.

All fruits and vegetables contain a high amount of water. Water in itself is a potent source of getting rid of toxic body chemicals and helping in the transport of nutrients to the body. Water alone does not remove acne but taken in higher quantities internally and used to wash face as warm water and as ice cubes, it greatly helps skin in remaining healthy.

Exfoliation is necessary in keeping skin healthy and preventing accumulation of dead cells in skin because dead cells are one more cause of acne. Instead of using chemicals for exfoliation as face scrubs, you can use gram flour with a pinch of turmeric and a few drops of coconut oil to make a face mask which not only removes dead cells, but controls bacteria and smoothes skin also.

Its regular use gives a clear complexion and is useful in controlling acne. It’s particularly useful during summers and humid weather when it controls sweating, and keeps your skin fresh for longer duration.

A little more on Neem

http://www.morphemeremedies.com/neem.htm

A cornerstone of the Ayurvedic tradition, neem was known as sarva roga nivarin or "healer of all ailments" in prehistoric India. Today, in tropical regions around the world, neem is often called "the village pharmacy. Its principle constituents are nimbin, nimbinin and nimbidin.

It is used for external applications in skin diseases. Neem extracts possess antidiabetic, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The tree stem, root and bark possess astringent, tonic and antiperiodic properties. The bark is beneficial in fever and useful in cutaneous diseases. Neem's traditional use is based on its detoxifying benefits that help maintain healthy circulatory, digestive, respiratory and urinary systems. It is used for external applications in skin diseases. All parts of the plant yield b-sitosterol.

Neem is highly recommended for the effects it has upon the skin. It is advised to maintain a healthy glow on the skin. Due to neem's antibacterial properties, it is effective in fighting most epidermal dysfunctions such as

• Acne
• Psoriasis
• Eczema

Neem's function as a fungicide depends on the compounds gedunin and nimbidol in its leaf. After almost 4,500 years of almost continuous use, even the Indian equivalent of the FDA apparently believes that "anything from neem has to be good" (Larson, 1993)

neem oil and acne

http://www.acne-advice.com/products/skin_care/xynergy/neem_oil/index.shtml

Neem kills the bacteria that cause acne, spots and pimples and reduces redness and inflammation. Neem oil also has moisturising properties from its high fatty acid content that are great at reducing acne scars. People often wash with neem soap first, and then apply the neem oil to the affected areas. A few drops can be added to bentonite clay to make a very effective acne clay mask.

I hope this info has been helpful for all of you so far. I am expecting my products in a couple days and I document each day. I really hope this helps my skin!!

Neem

I have been doing a a lot of research lately for a natural way to treat acne. During this time I realize that a lot of East Indian and African people have beautiful skin and I wanted to find out their secret. That's when I learned about Neem and Turmeric. So this is what I found.

Neem

Neem (Azadirachta indca, syn. Melia azadirachta L., Antelaea azadirachta (L.) Adelb.) is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native of India and Burna, growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Other vernacular names include Margosa, Nimtree, Nimba, Vepu, Vempu, Veppam (Tamil language) and Indian-lilac. The name literally means the 'The Tree of India'
www.wikipedia.com

Due to Neem's antibacterial properties, it is effective in against the bacteria that causes acne. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation of the skin. Neem also helps repair skin damage caused by acne.(1)

Acne and Neem

Neem kills the bacteria that cause acne and reduces the inflammation that makes it so noticeable. Neem-based creams have even improved the appearance of people who have reddened skin from acne that ended years before.

I got this information from the Neem foundation check out their website

http://www.neemfoundation.org/health.htm

Neem has been highly successfully against harmful fungi, parasites, and viruses. Although it can destroy these, it does not kill off beneficial intestinal flora nor produce adverse side effects. Neem is toxic to several fungi that attack humans, including the causes of athlete’s foot and ringworm and candida, which cause yeast infections and thrush. In fact, neem extracts are some of the most powerful Antifungal plant extracts found in the Indian pharmacopia that are used for these conditions. The compounds gedunin and nimbidol, found in the tree’s leaves, control the fungi listed above. Basing their studies on the ancient tradition of using neem to purify the air surrounding sick people, two Indian researchers found that neem smoke was successful in suppressing fungal growth and germination.

One of neem’s stronger advantages is its effect upon the skin in general. It has been most helpful in treating a variety of skin problems and diseases including psoriasis, eczema and other persistent conditions.

According to a report from the National Research Council’s Ad Hoc Panel of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development, neem preparation from the leaves or oils can be used as general antiseptics. Because neem contains antibacterial properties, it is highly effective in treating epidermal conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. It is also used for treating septic sores, infected burns, scrofula, indolent ulcers and ringworm. Stubborn warts can be cleared up when a high-quality neem product is used. Unlike synthetic chemicals that often produce side effects such as rashes, allergic reactions, or redness, neem doesn't seem to create any of these results.

Early Ayurvedic practitioners believed high sugar levels in the body caused skin disease. Neem’s bitter quality was considered to counteract the sweetness. Indians historically bathed in neem leaves steeped in hot water. This is still considered a common procedure for curing skin ailments or allergic reactions.

Psoriasis is successfully treated with neem oil. The oil moisturizes and protects the skin while healing the lesions, scaling and irritations. Experiments have shown that patients with psoriasis who have taken neem leaf orally, combined with tropical treatment with neem extracts and neem seed oil, achieve results at least as positive as those who use coal tar and cortisone, the more traditional treatments. Coal tar products are messy and smelly and cortisone can thin the skin when used repeatedly. Neem has neither side effect. It can be used for extended periods of time without any side effects, is easy to apply and is relatively inexpensive.

Products I have tried

I have tried them all....well a lot. Below is a list of some products that I have tried and how my skin reacted to them. If you have tried any of the products listed or have tried others post your comments so others can learn from your experience.

Differin Gel - Just didn't work. I used this product when I was in junior high and high school. My cousin also used it and it didn't help her either.

Accutane (Isotretinoin) - This product really helped!! This side effects on the other hand were horrible. My hair was falling out, my skin was like sand paper my lips were always cracked and bleeding, but my face looked amazing. I was using the product for 2 months when my dermatologist told me that I had to go on birth control in order for him to refill my prescription my parents said no and that was the end of my accutane journey.

Proactive - Proactive worked for a week and didn't work again. It is one of those products that leaves no room for error. I went to bed one night without using the kit the next morning I woke up broken out. It works great for some people but I wasn't one of them.

Murad - Murad, like proactive worked at first. It is kind of expensive. My face felt smooth but the smell of the product wasn't that great and like Proactive I couldn't go a night without using the product without breaking out badly the next day.

Accuzine - Accuzine is supposedly a natural approach to acne. I used the product for almost two months but I have no idea if it was helping or not. I really have no clue if it was making my skin better or worst. Even thought I didn't see drastic results it opened me up to another form of treatment. After using this product I decided that I would like to try a more natural approach to skin care. So next product review I will review to new products that I am expecting to arrive in the mail shortly called Neem herb - Systemic purifier and Herbal acne-n-pimple cream.

Neutrogena - I like the Neutrogena facial washes however they tend to dry out my skin a lot so after I use the facial wash I apply a vitamin E moisturizer for The Body Shop.

In the future I will post natural home remedies that I have tried as well as some of my friends. I want to encourage everyone to post your own home remedies and things that help you cope with your acne.

What is acne?

If you are reading this blog you probably already have acne and have a general idea of what it is. However, I created this blog to educate people on what acne is and how to treat it. I have had acne for years. Ever since I was in elementary school straight throughout college. I feel as though I have tried it all. I am about to try two new products that I have been doing a lot of research on. The main ingredients in them are called neem and turmeric. Before I get into that I want to first go over what acne is and the different types of acne there is.

www.wikipedia.com
Acne is a group of skin rashes that have different causes.

• Acne vulgaris - most commonly experienced around puberty, typically of the face and shoulders/chest
• Acne rosacea - a red rash predominantly on the face
• Acne keloidalis nuchae (Pseudofolliculitis nuchae) - a rash caused by shaving
• Acne conglobata (Hidradenitis suppurativa) - chronic abscesses or boils of sweat glands and hair follicles; in the underarms, groin and buttocks, and under the breasts in women
• Acne cosmetica - acne caused by cosmetics
• Acne fulminans - an extreme form of acne conglobata
• Acne medicamentosa - acne caused by starting or stopping a medicine
• Baby acne - a rash seen on the cheeks, chin, and forehead of infants
• Chloracne - an acne rash caused by exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons such as dioxins or PCBs

The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", meaning "common acne." Excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands accompanies the plugging of the pores with naturally occurring dead skin cells (corneocytes) blocking hair follicles. The accumulation of these corneocytes in the duct appears to be due to a failure of the normal keratinization process in the skin which usually leads to shedding of skin cells lining the pores. Oil secretions are said to build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and the lipophilic (oil/lipid-loving) yeast Malassezia to multiply uncontrollably. Under the microscope, however, there is no evidence of pooled trapped sebum. Indeed the oil percolates through the plugged duct onto the surface. In response to the bacterial and yeast populations, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion. The face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms are especially affected.

The typical acne lesions are: comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and inflammatory cysts. These are the more inflamed form of pus-filled or reddish bumps, even boil-like tender swellings. Non-inflamed 'sebaceous cysts', more properly called epidermoid cysts, occur either in association with acne or alone but are not a constant feature. After resolution of acne lesions, prominent unsightly scars may remain.

Aside from scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and depression. Acne usually appears during adolescence, when people already tend to be most socially insecure.

www.wikipedia.com