BellaSugar -- You're beautiful.

You Are Way Too Picky

bellasugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:03:18 -0700

There is a somewhat disturbing article in the October issue of Elle about the author's recent battle with a bout of dematillomania, also known as acne excoriée. Call it what you will, but many people pick at their faces. Some of us gently extract in a magnifying mirror, while others perform minor surgery until we draw blood. Dermatologist Frederic Brandt discusses the degrees of the problem, cautioning:

Scarring depends on the severity of infection and how adamantly people go after them. And inflammation, if you break out or do enough extracting, can lead either to a lightening or darkening of skin color.

So there you have it. One false move, and your problem just went from bad to worse. There are multiple things that can be done to try and rehabilitate a picker. Like getting regular manicures to stop nail biting, a newfound devotion to skincare can help (think regular microdermabrasion, treatment with bacteria-killing lasers, Retin-A). Or if it's an OCD or Body Dysmorphic Disorder issue, therapy can help. Have you ever had picking problems, and what has helped you?

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New Product Alert: Zeno Mini

bellasugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:32 -0700

Pimple-stopping devices are great — if you can afford to shell out the big bucks for them. In fact, in comparing Zeno to Thermaclear, one of my main complaints about the otherwise awesome Zeno was its price. Oh, but times have changed!

Zeno has recently released a smaller version of its zit-zapping device. The Zeno Mini ($89) is petite and portable, but it still helps stop pimples from forming. Aside from the lower price, it's great because it's powered by AAA batteries; the original Zeno needs to be charged, and there are times when it would be out of juice right when Krakatoa was about to erupt on my chin. Now all I have to do is pop in a battery and stop that bad mutha from getting any bigger. Plus, how much does the new design look like Eve from Wall-E? So cute, and much more budget-friendly!

Before You Stain Another Set of 800 Thread Count Sheets...

bellasugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:00:25 -0700

The problem: You have a pimple. You dab some spot treatment on it, go to bed, and wake up with two problems: the pimple's still there and your beloved designer sheets have streaks of telltale orange from your acne product. Blast! Resolved to never have this happen to me again, I consulted New York City dermatologist Dr. Doris J. Day for some answers.

"At any concentration, even 2.5%, benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric," she says. "Even if you use a benzoyl peroxide cleanser and don't rinse well enough, it'll bleach your towel and sheets (but it doesn't bleach your skin). Retin-A can also stain because it has a preservative in it, but generally, if you're getting stains from using a retinol product, chances are you're using too much." To find out what Dr. Day thinks is more effective for spots than benzoyl peroxide anyway,

Coming Soon: Darphin's Designer Zit-Zapping Duo

bellasugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:00:50 -0700

Due in stores this fall are two new sebum-controlling skin-care products from Darphin called Purifying Targeted Gel ($50) and Overnight Refining Lotion ($50).

The clear, fast-drying gel can be applied to the affected area as often as necessary. The lotion acts as an astringent to kill bacteria and reduce oil production and shine, especially to your t-zone —all without drying out your face like so many other spot treatments are prone to do.

The products contain essential oils, which are blended together with salicylic acid, lemon, Vitamin C, and isolutrol (a balancing agent) to help purify the skin, control sebum production, stimulate skin renewal, soothe, irritated skin and reduce the look of large pores. The treatments are gentle enough not to irritate the skin, yet are strong enough to fight off persistent pimples. And did I mention how great the smell is?

I've been using this combo for three days and so far I haven't experienced any flaking or unusual dryness — yippee!

Back to Basics: The Best Zit Zappers

bellasugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:00:24 -0700

I've never been one to have consistently gorgeous, glowy skin. It's always either a little bit dry, kind-of blotchy and almost always oily on the nose. Oh, and around that time of the month, you can bank on being able to play a fierce game of connect-the-dots. Having been a connoisseur of spot treatments since puberty, these are three of my go-to products that help pacify my pimples without causing dry patches or added aggravation. Which is your all-time favorite topical zit zapper?

Clearasil Tinted Acne Treatment Cream ($5.79) can be found at most drugstores. It doesn't sting or make you teary-eyed from the strong scent when you have to apply it to your face. The best part about using the tinted version is that it really helps cover up the red without having to pile on potentially bacteria-infested concealer.

Origins Spot Remover ($10) is a minty-smelling, transparent spot treatment gel that contains salicylic acid to dry out sebum and help kill old and new bacteria. It tingles just a touch upon contact, but it's nothing you can't handle. It stays clear and won't dry to an embarrassing flaky finish. Also, the tiny bottle is sure to last you through all twelve bouts of PMS per year, since all you need is a super-small amount.

For one more tried-and-true spot treatment that's slightly pricier,

Bum Deal: How To Rid Yo' Ass of Acne

bellasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:00:13 -0700

Y'know, lipstick and hair talk is all fine and dandy, but sometimes we've got to talk about less-fancy beauty concerns such as nail fungus and warts. And ass-ne — yes, pimples on your bum — is one of those. Nobody wants to admit it, but most of us have had a butt blemish in our lives.

Depending on which kind of ass-ne you have, you'll want to tackle it in a variety of ways. To see how to get back to that smooth-as-a-baby's-bottom stage,

Definition: Blackheads

bellasugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:00:45 -0700

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.

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Beauty Byte: A Cure For Acne?

bellasugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:15:35 -0700

This is big. Scientists believe they may have found a cure for acne. This hope comes from a study in which the drug SMT D002 reduced the flow of sebum in pores by 90 percent.

The drug was developed to treat a condition unrelated to acne, although its creators will not reveal it. (Nor will they disclose the active ingredients.) What's more is that as of yet, the drug has yet to produce any side effects. This is especially exciting considering that Accutane, the most similar drug on the market in terms of effectiveness, comes with some pretty serious potential side effects. It is important to note, however, that the trials so far have been small, so further testing is needed before any conclusive findings can be announced.

The drug is currently being made into a topical cream, but no word as to when it will be available. I think this sounds like an exciting development — even if it does sound a little too good to be true — so I'll keep you updated on anything else I hear.

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How To Properly Pop a Pimple

bellasugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:00:18 -0700

We've all been warned at some point or another about the dangers of popping our own pimples (scarring! infection! irritation!), but the truth is, we do it anyway. If you're going to pop, you might as well know the right way to go about it.

First up, a word about which pimples are okay to squeeze, and which ones to keep your itchy little paws away from. A good rule of thumb is that you should only pop blemishes that have very distinct, white heads. This sort of blemish is common in cases of mild to moderate acne. Never try to pop something that does not have a white head, no matter how painful, red, or raised it is. Nothing will come out, and you will only make the pain and irritation worse.

Ready to get started? Then

How to Treat Acne Scars

bellasugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:00:47 -0700

To round out my acne series, I am going to give you some treatment options for healing your skin and reducing scarring once you've got your acne under control. Even mild acne can leave minor scarring, and for those of you who have battled moderate or severe acne, the scarring can be a lot worse.

It is common for acne lesions to leave a red or elevated mark behind once they're healed. This usually goes away within six to 12 months. Severe lesions can leave marks that persist after a year, and these are considered "permanent" scars. Luckily, there are things you can do to help minimize, and in some cases eliminate, this scarring. For treatment suggestions,

How to Treat Severe Acne Vulgaris

bellasugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:00:10 -0700

We're getting close to wrapping up my series on the different acne types and how to treat them. If you don't know which kind of acne you have, take my quiz to find out. If your acne is mild, you can see my treatment suggestions here, and if it is moderate, you can check out treatments options here.

Severe acne vulgaris can be really painful, both emotionally and physically, but do not despair if this is your diagnosis! There are effective treatment options for you, too. But I'm gonna be straight with you: If this what you have, you must see a dermatologist, because there just isn't much that over-the-counter treatments can do for this kind of acne.

Just a quick refresher: Severe acne vulgaris consists of cysts and nodules. Nodules are solid, dome-shaped lesions. They're inflamed and painful, they extend into deeper layers of the skin, and they may cause tissue destruction that results in scarring. A cyst is a sac-like lesion containing liquid or semiliquid material consisting of white blood cells, dead cells, and bacteria. It is larger than a pustule, may be severely inflamed, extends into deeper layers of the skin, may be very painful, and can result in scarring. Cysts and nodules often occur together in a severe form of acne called nodulocystic. If that describes your acne, see your treatment options when you

How To Treat Moderate Acne Vulgaris

bellasugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:00:48 -0700

This week I'll be continuing my series on the types of acne and treatment options for each. If you haven't already taken my acne quiz, get to it so you can figure out which type you have. We already went over the treatment options for mild acne vulgaris, so now it's time to move on to moderate acne vulgaris.

Quick refresher before we get started: moderate acne vulgaris consists of papules and pustules. Papules are slightly elevated, solid lesions that have a "sandpaper" feel when you rub your hand over the area. A pustule is the more inflamed version of a papule. They are dome-shaped, fragile lesions containing pus that typically consists of a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Lovely! Now that we know what we're dealing with, see what you can do about it when you

How To Treat Mild Acne Vulgaris

bellasugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:00:46 -0700

I kicked off my series on acne by helping you identify your acne type with this quiz. Now that you know what ails you, it's time to talk about what you can do to help clear up your skin.

Keep in mind, no matter how severe you think your acne is, the best way to start treating it is with the mildest products, working your way gradually towards stronger ones until you find what your skin responds to the best. No need to jump right into retinoids when a gentle cleanser will do!

First up are product and treatment options for those of you with mild acne vulgaris. As a reminder, this is the most mild form of acne, consisting of mostly non-inflamed lesions such as blackheads and small whiteheads. These can pop up anywhere, but they are typically found on your nose, forehead, and chin. If this describes your acne,

What Type of Acne Do You Have?

bellasugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:00:39 -0700

Did you know that 60 million Americans suffer from acne? Acne can be frustrating, but there are many treatment options available. The best place to start your fight against acne is by figuring out what kind you have.

Quick vocab lesson before we get started: Acne vulgaris is just a fancy term for any kind of acne, from one tiny blackhead all the way to the most severe cystic acne. Lesion is a term for any kind of tissue abnormality, so any blackhead, whitehead, pustule, and cyst is considered a lesion. Now you're ready to take the quiz! And stay tuned, because this week I will be showing you how to treat each kind of acne.

Should You Go On Accutane?

bellasugar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:57:10 -0700

If you've tried everything from benzoyl peroxide to retinoids and your acne won't budge, you might have what is called severe recalcitrant nodular acne. This means it might be time to consider a prescription like Accutane. While not for everyone, Accutane could be the solution to your acne woes.

Accutane is a highly concentrated form of vitamin A. It reduces the amount of oil and sebum produced by the glands in your skin. It also helps the surface of your skin renew itself continuously, preventing the buildup of pore-clogging dead skin and sebum. Treatment usually lasts four to six months, or until acne is completely cleared. Most patients will need an additional round of four to six months within the first year or so, and acne will typically get worse before it gets better. And naturally, you'll need to talk with a dermatologist to decide if going on Accutane would be a good decision. For some pros and cons,

Thermaclear Vs Zeno: The Zit-Zapper Showdown

bellasugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:14:01 -0800

When I received a Thermaclear, I was pretty excited. I'd already had good results with rival device Zeno. Like Zeno, Thermaclear uses heat to destroy acne bacteria, thereby making pimples disappear faster (or never come to a head in the first place). These devices are great for those times when you feel a pimple coming on; just zap it and it retards the blemish's growth.

Now that I've tried both zit zappers, I've made a guide to comparing and contrasting them. (FYI, both devices were sent to me for review, so I'm not biased toward either.)

For a chart that shows the pros and cons of each device,

Photopneumatic Therapy Kicks Acne to the Curb

bellasugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0800

There is nothing more frustrating, beauty-wise, than a case of aggressive acne that won't go away. Luckily, US News reports on a new procedure called photopneumatic therapy, targeted at persistent pimples. It works by suctioning the skin to bring the acne bacteria to the surface, then beaming it with an intense pulse of light that stuns the overactive oil glands and kills the existing bacteria.

On average, the painless process can produce a 90% reduction in acne in as little as three sessions. However, there's a catch: the price tag. Each session can cost up to $500, and maintenance requires repeated treatments every few months or so. For patient Veronica Prudencio, it's well worth the cost: "I don't feel like people are staring at me anymore," she said. "It's just so much easier to leave the house, and that's priceless."

What do you think? Would you pay this high a price on a regular basis to maintain perfectly clear skin?

Source

This Acne Cream Is Only $3.84. And It Works!

bellasugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:00:05 -0800

Lately I've been battling a bit of chin acne, and it's been driving me bonkers. The rest of my skin has been great, but my chin has been sporting a robust crop of pimples. Nothing I tried—masks, Differin, exfoliation, glycolic acid lotion, leaving it alone—worked.

Then I remembered a tip I'd picked up from a friend whose roommate uses only high-end skin care—with one exception. "She and I swear by CVS benzoyl peroxide cream," my pimple-free pal said. "I swear, it works better than any of the expensive things we've tried."

Sure enough, she was right. I picked up a tube for less than four dollars and put it on before bed. The next morning, all of the volcanic little pustules had vanished. The only side effect is a bit of dry skin, but a little moisturizer fixed that problem within a day. Now my complexion is smooth as buttah. I'm telling you, this is good stuff.

The Pill Fights Acne. Should You Take It?

bellasugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:55:25 -0800

Good news if you're fighting hormonal acne: A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shows that a drug combination can help women with severe acne. Researchers gave a group of 27 women the combination of spironolactone (a diuretic) and oral contraceptive Yasmin, and the results are fantastic:

At the end of the study, 11 percent of women were entirely clear of acne lesions, 74 percent had excellent improvement, 7.4 percent had mild improvement, and 7.4 percent had no change.

All in all, 85% of women saw marked improvement in their complexions. Huzzah! This doesn't shock me, though; birth control pills regulate hormones, which can keep acne from flaring up. Being on the Pill has kept my jawline much clearer, that's for sure. For some pros and cons of using the Pill to combat blemishes,

Got Mouth Acne? Here's Some Help.

bellasugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:00:22 -0800

Mr. Bella has been all up in my business lately. "You have to write about the toothpaste!" he keeps saying. "The toothpaste!" Lest you think he has a weird dental hygiene fetish, let me explain. He has fairly sensitive skin, and for the longest time, he used to get recurring acne right around his lips. So he did a little research and found out that sodium lauryl sulfate, a common ingredient in body-care products, is often irritating to skin. And after switching out his regular toothpaste for a SLS-free one, guess what? No more pimples.

If you have had similar problems with acne or irritation, you might want to try switching toothpastes. It may take a while to get used to them, simply because they aren't quite as fast to foam up. The flavors also might be less bold than what you're used to, but I find that after about a minute of brushing, they become more intense. Here are a few that might work for you.

Jason Sea Fresh Toothpaste ($5.49) is a vegan gel that's made with algae. I know it sounds gross at first, but its minty flavor is surprisingly enjoyable, and it gets teeth nice and clean. It doesn't have fluoride, though, so be sure to use a fluoride rinse to keep cavities at bay.

For two other options,

2007 Sugar Awards: Best Acne Fighter

bellasugar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:03:46 -0800

Well, this "best of" skin care category was a wash. (Get it?) There wasn't a clear winner for Best Acne Fighter, but I'm loving some of the comments you made. DejaVecu has been using the Body Shop's tea tree oil system, and it's been great for her. "My skin is soft and bright, no more big embarassing break-outs, barely a blackhead in sight, no more dry patches," she says. Proactiv got a few write-in votes, too, but many of you were concerned about its drying side effects.

For what it's worth, my favorite skin care product of the year is Differin. It's available by prescription only, but it has dramatically improved my complexion. You can read about my Differin experiences to see what some of the side effects and benefits are, and if you think it might help you, make an appointment with your dermatologist. Okay, I know this sounds like a plug, but honestly, it's made a world of difference in my skin! Any similar miracle product for you and your pores?

Source

How-To: Cover Up Your Acne

bellasugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:00:05 -0800

Almost everyone gets acne, but that's pretty cold comfort, isn't it? Dealing with spots is enough of a hassle, so covering them up shouldn't be. As I was cursing a particularly stubborn cystic spot this morning, I thought you might like to see how to cover up your pimples. So for my step-by-step guide—including pictures—

Bella Quiz: Beauty Facts and Fiction

bellasugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:15:31 -0700

I can't remember when I first heard about the idea of using toothpaste as a spot treatment on pimples, but I definitely started doing it right away. But is that actually a good idea? This quiz will test your knowledge of beauty fact and myth.

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The Differin Diaries: Month Two

bellasugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Welcome back to my "diary" of my experience being on Differin. The first installment explains what Differin is—essentially, a topical retinoid used to clear up acne. It's available only by prescription, so if you're interested in it, see a dermatologist. And as always, this is just my experience; everyone's skin is different, and only a doctor can work with you to see which treatment is best.

Now that I've been on Differin (and Klaron, an antibacterial lotion) for a little over two months, I'm definitely seeing an improvement in my complexion. At first, there was some peeling, but it wasn't painful or red. That's stopped, and now my forehead and nose are almost completely clear. Although I still have a tiny bit of congestion around the hairline, it's minimal, and I haven't had a horrifyingly large pimple there in at least a month.

To find out where Differin isn't doing wonders,

Another Acne Tidbit From the No Duh Files

bellasugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:00:25 -0700

Last week, I was hanging out with a guy friend when the subject of acne came up. (Clearly, I know how to regale men.) I offhandedly mentioned the prevalence of acne among adult women compared to men, and he was baffled. "Do women really get more pimples than men?" he asked. Uh, yeah. I explained that thanks to hormones, women are more likely to experience breakouts along the jawline and on the chin. He had no idea. (Lucky lad.)

Now there's more than anecdotal evidence that women break out more often. A University of Alabama study found that not only do females get more zits than men, we tend to get them around the time of our periods. (For this, they needed to do a study?) Some other findings:

During their 20s, 50.9 percent of women experience acne. By the time we're in our 50s, that percentage is down to just 15.3.
Of the pre-menopausal women surveyed, 62.2 percent noted that their acne gets worse around the time of menstruation.
73.3 percent of men and women have experienced acne.

I suppose it's good to understand who's getting acne, but gosh, I could have saved these researchers some time. Just swing on by my place once a month and see my chinny-chin-chin erupt into Vesuvial proportions. Are you surprised by these findings?

Source

Beauty Mark It Results: Acne Spot Treatments

bellasugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:32:53 -0700

The results of last week's Beauty Mark It challenge are in, and thanks to you readers, there are lots of suggestions for pimple-stopping spot treatments.

Melanie1022 suggests MyChelle Clear Skin Serum ($29.9. "I love all MyChelle products," she says. "You can order samples for just about $2.00." After browsing the available samples, I might do just that—especially because the products are non-toxic and cruelty-free.

Another highlight is Jenlusi's suggestion, Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17). It has salicylic acid to zap the zit, and calamine to calm the inflamed skin.

Want to see everybody's suggestions? Just browse this widget and you'll have tons of shopping options!

The Differin Diaries: Month One

bellasugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:02:17 -0700

To paraphrase Dr. Vail Reese, people who escaped acne in their teenage years are more likely to experience it in their 20s. I'm definitely in this camp, unfortunately, and I know a lot of you are, too. I recently started a prescription plan to clear up my skin, and I thought you might be interested in following the progress. (Of course, everyone's skin is different, and if you're thinking of prescription medicine, you should definitely see your doctor. My experience isn't necessarily what yours might be.)

I don't have terrible skin, but this summer I developed some problems that weren't going away: some clogged pores on my forehead, sore cystic acne on my chin, and blackheads on my nose. I went to see my dermatologist, who prescribed Differin 0.1% cream for the evening, and Klaron lotion for the morning. To find out how the first month has gone,

Doing Drugstore: Nature's Cure Acne Treatment

bellasugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:59:04 -0700

You know how you can go to Walgreens, and the bottom of the shelf has a bunch of unusual products you've never heard of? Well, I saw Nature's Cure Acne Treatment ($9.99), a homeopathic remedy for acne, and thought it sounded a bit quacky. After all, I'd had bad luck with a previous fling with supplements. At the same time, though, I was curious, so I did a little online research and found lots of rave reviews. Sold!

Nature's Cure claims to "tackle internal causes by stimulating your body's natural defenses to help stop acne where it starts." The homeopathic pills include English walnut, yeast, cone flower, wild rosemary, vegetable carbon and frost weed—all in micro-doses which aim to clear up skin. You take two pills a day (one in the morning, one at night) and apply the included benzoyl peroxide cream on zits. Simple. The box promised "results within two weeks," and boy, did I get them. To find out what happened,

Bella Interview: Dr. Vail Reese, Dermatologist and Expert on Skin in Film

bellasugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:00:57 -0700

Meet Dr. Vail Reese, a San Francisco dermatologist who brings new meaning to the phrase "skin flicks." When he's not working, he's busy maintaining Skinema.com, a fun and fascinating site about skin in cinema. I recently sat down with Dr. Reese to talk about celebrity skin, acne, Botox and more skin topics. We had so much to talk about that I'll be adding more from him in the future. For now, read on!

You run Skinema.com, a website chronicling skin and dermatology in cinema. Which celebrities have good skin, in your opinion?
Nicole Kidman. She's a role model for being fashionably fair. So are
Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon and Keira Knightley. These are women who are not hitting the tanning beds. Being tan is last century's look. With all that said, Keira has acne, but so do a lot of stars—like Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. In the last Harry Potter movie, they had to go in frame-by-frame and digitally fix blemishes.

For more, including Dr. Reese's advice on treating adult acne,

Saturday Giveaway! Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel

bellasugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Thanks to our generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of July, and we're starting with a week of Clinique products!

Clinique has just launched a new Skin Solutions line, and we'd like you to try it. Today we're giving away one Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel ($13.50). This fast-drying clear gel is the pimple's worst enemy: A little dab and your blemish begins to disappear faster than you can say "Out, darned spot!"

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Saturday, July 7, and we'll announce the winner on Monday. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

Thursday Giveaway! Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer

bellasugar — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Thanks to our generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of July, and we're starting with a week of Clinique products! Congratulations to SugarRum, who won yesterday's giveaway for Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion.

Clinique has just launched a new Skin Solutions line, and we'd like you to try it. Today we're giving away one Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer ($13.50). This light, oil-free lotion is brilliant for acne-prone skin because it's medicated to prevent breakouts and it reduces redness, too.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 5, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

Wednesday Giveaway! Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

bellasugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Fireworks? Who needs fireworks when you've got a chance to win the latest from Clinique? Thanks to our generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of July, and we're starting with a week of Clinique products! Congratulations to Azucar_Maddy, who won yesterday's giveaway for Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam.

Clinique has just launched a new Skin Solutions line, and we'd like you to try it. Today we're giving away one Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion ($13.50). The gentle, medicated formula exfoliates and unclogs pores. It also reduces excess oil, which reduces your breakouts!

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, July 4, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

Tuesday Giveaway! Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam

bellasugar — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Are you a Clinique fan? Well, it's your lucky day! Thanks to our generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of July, and we're starting with a week of brand-new Clinique products! Congratulations to Bigestivediscuit, who won yesterday's giveaway for Acne Solutions Body Treatment spray.

Want to win? Clinique has just launched a new Skin Solutions line, and we'd like you to try it. Today we're giving away one Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam ($17.50). The mild formula battles acne without being too harsh on your skin, so it both clears and prevents breakouts.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, July 3, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

Monday Giveaway! Acne Solutions Body Treatment Spray

bellasugar — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Are you a Clinique fan? Well, it's your lucky day! Thanks to our generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of July, and we're starting with a week of brand-new Clinique products! But first, congratulations to this weekend's winners:

Ohbaby7 won Saturday's giveaway for a GoSmile Jet Set kit.

Msmishka won Sunday's giveaway for a Sephora $50 gift card.

Want to win, too? Clinique has just launched a new Skin Solutions line, and we'd like you to try it. Today we're giving away one Acne Solutions Body Spray ($19.50). This oil-free formula banishes blemishes all over your body, and its clever container lets you spray upside down to target those hard-to-reach places.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Monday, July 2, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

Bella Guide: Cystic Acne 101

bellasugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:00:24 -0700

If you're in your 20s or 30s, you've probably experienced stubborn breakouts on your chin. And no matter how much you exfoliate or get facials, a few stubborn lumps won't go away. Welcome to the wonderful world of cystic acne!

Cystic acne differs from your everyday, run-of-the-mill pimple farm. This kind of spot is buried under the skin, so it won't come to a head no matter the amount of poking and prodding you do. Worse yet, the cysts can be red, tender and sore. And lucky for us women, hormones make them more common for us than for men—which is why these devils pop up around that time of the month. To find out what you can do about cystic acne, just

How To: D.I.Y. Spa Treatment - At Home Blemish Blaster

bellasugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:12:22 -0700

After reading about the many spot treatments available, I've researched a little at home remedy that won't cost you a lot and will leave your skin free of pestering pimples. All you need is a small bowl of crushed mint leaves and all natural oats. Here's what to do:

Take a handful of fresh mint leaves and pulverize them with a pestle in a bowl.
Next, add moist oats to the mixture and mix until it forms a paste.
Apply evenly to your face, or just to your affected areas, and wait 20 minutes.

Relax and take deep breaths during your waiting time. Allow the oats and the oils to absorb. The mixture should smell delicious and should also do the trick. Apply twice a day as needed storing the remaining mixture in a sealed container in the fridge. I hope this helps! To read my last D.I.Y. post, click here, and for even more D.I.Y. ideas from FitSugar, click here.

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