BellaSugar

Acne Myths – Busted! Facts on Dealing with Pimples and Blemishes

BellaTV — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:49:58 PDT

Does chocolate cause acne? Can the birth control pill prevent pimples? Will drinking milk and eating dairy products lead to problem skin? Does sunscreen cause breakouts? Watch our video for the answers to these questions and more on fighting acne from celebrity dermatologist Harold Lancer.

Definition: Blackheads

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:00:45 PDT

I throw around terms like pimples, acne, blackheads, and milia pretty loosely, but there are distinctions between these various forms of bumps on your face. Since we already know all about acne and milia (those pestering deep white bumps), I thought I'd explain exactly what blackheads are so that you'll have a better understanding of your skin and the best products to use for your specific trouble areas.

Blackheads are comedones (clogged pores) that are blocked by excess oil and dead skin cells. The black color isn't because of dirt or makeup (a common misconception); rather it is from sebum that has been oxidized by the air. They are a type of acne vulgaris and typically appear in the T-zone. Blackheads are easily removable by extractions and by regular exfoliation.

Source

5 Simple Ways to Look Even Better in 2012

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:05:47 PST

Making New Year's resolutions is one thing, but making changes that take little effort but have a huge beauty payoff? Now that's something to celebrate. Whether you're looking to banish bikini-line bumps for good, to have stronger nails, or to get that glowing complexion, these straight-from-the-experts tips will give you guidance. Read more to get started.

All of Your Most Common Acne Questions - Answered!

Jaime Richards — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:07:11 PDT

While 80 percent of teenagers will experience acne at some point or another, it's not uncommon for the condition to afflict women well into adulthood. "The good news is that we have really great treatments, and nobody has to suffer with it," says Dr. Linda Stein Gold, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.

That's why I asked Dr. Stein Gold some of the more pressing acne questions: all the things you want to talk to your dermatologist while you're visiting his office, but either don't have the time to fit in or simply forget to inquire about. So to see Dr. Stein Gold's top acne advice, just keep reading.

Acne Treatments Need More Research, Study Says

Annie Tomlin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:08:22 PDT

Do acne treatments produce real results? The official verdict is in, and it's . . . iffy. According to a new study published in Lancet, acne treatments need better research. Researchers from the Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology at the University of Nottingham have found that many trials of acne-battling products produce unreliable findings. "Almost half of recently published acne trials contain serious flaws that could be overcome by better reporting," they wrote. "The absence of trials with active comparators is a significant handicap to shared clinical decision making."

In layman's terms, scientists already know that skin responds to acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin. When studies compare a new acne treatment to no treatment at all, rather than comparing it to (for instance) tretinoin, it's impossible to measure whether the new treatment is more effective than what's already out there.

Another problem in producing better research is acne's unpredictable nature. Acne can have a host of causes (including hormones, bacteria, genetics, and inflammation), which introduces uncontrollable variables. Beyond that, people have different perceptions of improvement when it comes to their acne; a person who suffered from deep cysts might be pleased to "only" have blackheads, while a smattering of blackheads might be traumatic to someone with formerly problem-free skin.

In other words, researchers are still a long way from stopping acne. Pass the Proactiv, please.

Smabs Sputzer

Benefit Posietint: A Review and Photo

BellaSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:47 PDT

Those of you who love Benefit's cult-favorite lip and cheek stain, Benetint, will be excited to know about Posietint ($28). Like its big sister Benetint, Posietint is a liquid stain that goes on with a brush. The difference is that instead of giving a reddish flush to lips and cheeks, Posietint gives a sheer pink wash of color. When you see it, you'll understand why it's not packaged in a clear bottle; the stain is the color of Pepto Bismol. Never fear, though: when it's blended into skin, it looks like a natural flush of color.

To see how Posietint looks when it's on cheeks,

read more. I snagged a bottle of Posietint to try out, so I asked my friend Allie to be a model. She is one of those gorgeous women whose skin looks like it's never seen a blackhead in its life. I applied a few small swipes of Posietint on the apples of her cheeks, then blended them using my fingers. The result: A totally natural-looking burst of pink. I think Allie looks like the quintessential English beauty here - all creamy complexion and rosy cheeks.