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If you are one of the many who suffer from acne, you are of course in search of an effective acne treatment. Not every case of acne is the same, and not every treatment works equally well for everyone afflicted with the condition. Everyone's skin is different, so each treatment must be tailored to the specific patient. The most effective acne treatment for you may actually be bad for someone else.

The reason for this disparity in efficacy of different treatments is the fact that there are mnay different types of skin. People with dry skin (and yes, it is quite possible to have both dry skin and acne at the same time) benefit from moisturizing regularly. To many, this may seem counterintuitive, but having very dry skin slows down the skin's natural healing process, causing acne outbreaks to last longer. Therefore, a moisturizing regimen can be a great benefit to acne sufferers with dry skin. Keeping the skin softer (and healthier) discourages breakouts and keeps them shorter when they do happen.

For those with oilier skin, washing too frequently is problematic. Washing too often strips the facial skin of it's natural oils, causing it to overproduce and clog the pores, leading to breakouts of acne. The key if you are an acne sufferer with oily skin is to wash your face less frequently with very mild cleansers so as to leave some of your skin's oils intact. This will discourage breakouts and keep them shorter in your case as well.

The best and most effective treatment for acne if you have oily skin is washing your face with a mild cleanser once or twice a day. Stay away from cleansers that contain course ingredients and astringents that contain alcohol. It is always important to apply an oil free moisturizer to your skin on a daily basis. By gently cleansing your pores and leaving some naturally produced oil your skin will find the perfect balance between being moisturized and clean.

Besides these simple steps, there are many alternative acne treatments you may not have thought of, many of them also in the "simple and natural" category. Among these are nutritional and herbal supplements. Zinc has proven effective in some studies, though zinc supplements should be taken with caution as too much can cause severe and unpleasant side effects. Tea tree oil, an ingredient in some cleansers, works well for many (and has some antibiotic properties - it is worth noting that antibiotics are sometimes prescribed by dermatologists for severe acne).

Different types of homemade facial masks and washes are also used as alternative acne treatments. These include washing ones face with a paste made of garbanzo beans, and applying a mask made of ground almonds and goats milk. Sounds strange, but there are many who swear by it. Diet has also been indicated as an important factor in controlling acne. A diet rich in beta carotene (think carrots, cantaloupe, etc.) has been touted as an alternative acne treatment.

There are also homeopathic acne treatments available, though it is probably a good idea to discuss these with your physician before embarking on a course of homeopathic treatments. Many of these remedies have not been clinically tested, so exercise some caution with them. Alternative acne treatments can be effective for your case, as can simple skin care as a preventative measure.