Acne Control, Naturally

The ancient Romans were not wrong when they bathed themselves in hot sulfur springs to rid their bodies of various ailments and skin disorders, acne included. Referred to the Bible as brimstone, sulfur was one of the earliest acne treatment known to man. Besides acne, sulfur is also used to treat skin disorders like dermatitis and bacterial or fungal infections.

For more than fifty years, sulfur has been combined with other drugs such as salicylic acid, resorcinol and sodium sulfacetamide to prevent acne development. Sulfur is available almost everywhere in prescription medications and over the counter in the form of skin care products like ointments, creams, lotions, masks and soap.

Sulfur is a naturally occurring element and its slow oxidation in the presence of air gives it the distinctive odor of rotten eggs or untreated sewage. Due to this characteristic, sulfur isn’t used as a standalone acne product but is used in combination with other more pleasant-smelling ingredients.

HOW DOES SULFUR WORK ON ACNE?

Sulfur has keratolytic properties so it promotes the quick shedding of dead keratinized skin cells which block pores that cause acne-forming comedones. It also has comedolytic action which clears comedones and inhibits new ones from forming.

When used topically, sulfur’s keratolytic action causes the infected skin to dry and slough off, which is a good sign if you are suffering from acne breakouts. It also minimizes skin oiliness, unclogs blocked pores and inhibits them from forming in the future.

HOW TO USE SULFUR FOR ACNE TREATMENT?

All sulfur products are not created equal and because sulfur medications come in various packages, it is safe practice to follow the instructions that comes with the product.

Generally, sulfur preparations are used once to thrice a day. Carefully read the directions for topical applications like lotions and masks. Some of them can be safely left on your face for long hours, while others need to be washed off after a few minutes.

excerpted from:  http://www.10acne.com/does_sulfur_work_for_acne.html

Face Value Cosmetics has developed several sulfur, herbal and natural skin care products to naturally help control acne.  anti Acne Products 

faceCLEAR Acne Treatment 5% Sulfur Soap Facial Bar is an gentle natural skin cleanser designed to help dry acne blemishes and soothe irritated skin. This soap is free of detergents, sulfates, paraben and is not tested on animals. Contains sulfur and tea tree oil. Sale price $4.25

faceCLEAR Blemish Powder  is a Natural, Mineral & Herbal Blemish Textured Powder designed to help dry acne blemishes and soothe irritated skin in a yellow/beige color that can also be used to conceal blemishes. Softly scented with tea tree oil.  Contains sulfur and tea tree oil. 20g jar sale price $7.65

Dead Sea Black Mineral Mud from Israel is a pore cleansing, mineral rich treatment that provides healing properties for your skin.  This mud can range in color from dark olive green to black.  It is a wonderful treatment to improve dull skin, rosacea, acne, eczema and psoriasis. Contains calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium, sulfur & phosphorus. Sale price $7.65

ANTI-ACNE GEL is a complex of plant extracts designed to treat skin with excessive sebum formation and follicular inflammation. Made with Watercress extract, Sage extract, Burdock root extract, Lemon peel extract, Ivy extract, Saponaria extract, Bladderwrack extract. Properties: Recommended to treat skin with high levels of sebum production and follicular inflammation, itching and loss  of hydration. Also effective for acne treatment. Sale price $7.65

faceCONTROL oil control powder is a textured oil control powder in a natural shade for combination & oily skin types developed to absorb excess oil up to 1-1/2x on skin. t Apply lightly to target areas where you want to control the excess oil on your skin before makeup application. 20g jar sale price $7.65

facePRIME pore reducing powder makes an effective foundation primer by refining pores & fine lines. Prior to your mineral makeup foundation, apply a thin layer of facePrime Silk Powder. Recommended for all skin types. 20g jar sale price $7.65

How to Apply Mineral Makeup Over Acne

By Margaret Kohut, eHow Contributor, Changes by Nancy Erb, Face Value Cosmetics from Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual 

Difficulty:

 

Moderately Easy

Mineral makeup is, by its composition, perfect for acne-prone skin. Other types of makeup, especially liquid foundation and packed powder, clog pores and cause acne breakouts. Mineral makeup was designed specifically to cover all types of skin imperfections without aggravating sensitive skin. No matter what your age, mineral makeup is the best choice for acne-prone skin.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mineral makeup of your choice; a loose powder foundation that contains sunscreen of at least SPF 20, and a powder "veil" worn over the foundation. Include a "face primer" made by the same company; this gives you an oil-free, long-lasting matte finish.
• Non-clogging mineral concealer made for spot coverage and blemish concealment.
• Gentle, mild soap and toner lotion made for acne-prone skin.
• Foundation brushes to sweep the mineral makeup onto your face.

1. • 1
     After selecting your mineral makeup, lotion toner, soap, green cover-up primer and foundation brushes, wash your face thoroughly but gently with your mild, pure soap. Follow with a gentle, oil-free moisturizer on dry areas of your face in a small amount. With a mineral makeup kit, less is always more! Use only about a fourth (if even that) of the amount of water-based moisture only on dry areas. Do not apply moisturizer to acne-prone areas.
   • 2
     It's recommended that you "prime" your face before applying your mineral make-up. This primer give your makeup something to cling to, giving you a smooth, even, matte complexion. Consider that very little of this product goes a very long way! Spread a small amount of primer over your entire face and let it sit for about a minute.
   • 3
     Now for the mineral concealer Unless you want to look like a Japanese Kabooki, take it very easy on the amount used! Remember, most blemish concealers are overly oil-based and tend to blob or crease; they also don't give lasting coverage. Smooth a very small amount over your blemishes. 
   • 4
     After spot-treating your acne areas, use your foundation brush to smooth the mineral foundation over your face. The accepted rule in applying mineral makeup is "touch, tap, and apply." You need very little mineral makeup to achieve a healthy, glowing effect; touch your brush to the loose makeup, tap it to remove excess, and sweep it over your face. If you notice that your blemishes that were covered with the green stuff appears overly white, then you've used too much green! Just experiment until you find the right amount of everything that works with your skin.
   • 5
     Next, sweep your mineral "veil" over your face; this is like powdering your face once you've applied foundation. The mineral powder seals the foundation and give you a naturally polished look, with the appearance of your blemishes greatly diminished. If you like, you can also sweep your face with a light mineral bronzer to give you a "warm" look or a sparkling, translucent or pink mineral glow powder. 

Tips & Warnings

• You should also choose your concealer carefully. Since acne is red, green cover-up is sometimes recommended as it neutralizes red, inflamed acne spots. However, yellow will also cover red imperfections as well as skin tone concealers.  For the lightest coverage, use your mineral foundation powder and dab on extra layers of powder on the pimple.  Blend, blend, blend
• In addition to covering your blemishes, try this trick of using mineral eye shadow, mascara and lipstick to draw attention to your best facial features instead of your imperfections.
• Strictly avoid all cosmetics that are oil-based; moisturizers, toners and eyeshadows in particular. These products counteract the mineral-based products and cause increased acne. Look for products that are water-based. If the label doesn't say the product is oil-free, assume that is is not!
• If this issue concerns you, the best-selling mineral makeup is not tested on animals.
• Be sure to keep your mineral foundation brushes clean! Most top lines offer a brush cleaner that you should use at least monthly, depending upon how often you use makeup.

Face Value Cosmetics has developed 21 shades of mineral foundation powders offered in matte and pearl textures. Mineral Foundation Products 

SEPTEMBER SPECIALS

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK to qualify for our free give-a-way on September 30, 2011 FREE ANTI-ACNE GEL

ANTI ACNE PRODUCT SALE: 15% OFF anti ACNE soap, gel and 20g jar size of powders: faceCLEAR, faceCONTROL& facePRIME

A winner was randomly selected for the  August 31, 2011 SUMMER GIVE A WAY: 
Cosmo's Sexiest Beauty Secrets 

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Dorota Dega Nollet (Dorothy)

Blog Notes:  I am going to use Facebook and this Blog to post product updates, sales, promotions and giveaways in place of an email marketing campaign.  If you want to receive these updates, please LIKE US ON FACEBOOK or subscribe to this blog.  Thank you, Nancy