Clear Clinic Acne & Acne Scar Treatment Centers

Acne and Vitamin A

Vitamin A has proven to be an effective acne-fighter when used in both oral medications, such as Accutane, and topical treatments like Retinoids, both of which are vitamin A derivatives. Why is it that vitamin A derivatives are key in the fight against acne and not natural vitamin A? Pure vitamin A is beneficial in maintaining optimal skin health for normal skin, but when an irregularity, such as acne, comes into play very large doses of vitamin A must be used, which can make it toxic. The vitamin A derivative used in Accutane is water soluble and can be safely administered in high doses. While eating a diet rich in vitamin A, such as carrots, sweet potatoes and kale, will help the overall health of your skin it is not effective at treating your acne.

Focus on Tea Tree Oil as an Acne-Fighting Ingredient

There are many good ingredients on the market that fight acne, including old standbys like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. One of the lesser known acne-fighting ingredients is tea tree oil. Here, 5 facts to know about tea tree oil and why it’s an effective skin treatment in the fight against acne:

1. Tea Tree Oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Australian tree, Melaleuca Alternifolia.

2. Tea Tree Oil has been shown to have antiseptic properties, which makes it effective in killing the bacteria associated with acne.

3. Studies have shown that Tea Tree Oil has fewer side effects than benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne, but it also takes longer to produce results.

4. Applying undiluted Tea Tree Oil to acne lesions may cause irritation. Instead, mix it with water or find an acne product containing Tea Tree Oil.

5. Tea Tree Oil should never be ingested, it has a high toxicity profile. Tea Tree Oil is only for topical use.

Can Green Tea Help Acne?

Our patients often ask us if there are any home remedies for acne.  While they understand that in-office treatments and prescription medications are usually the most effective treatments, they often want to do more.  Lately, there is a lot of “buzz” about green tea and its potential effects on acne.  There is even a popular diet called “the green tea acne diet.”  Dr. Schweiger explains that, “There is no research that shows drinking green tea to influence the behavior of acne.  Acne is caused by the p. acnes bacteria, and while green tea provides important anti-oxidants that may make your skin healthier, there is no proof that drinking green tea will eliminate acne.  There are, however, recent studies showing that the application of green tea directly on the skin can decrease acne.”



A study, published in 2010, showed that the application of 3% green tea emulsion decreased sebum production in male patients.  Since excess sebum production can lead to the formation of acne, this study introduces the idea that green tea may be able to decrease acne by decreasing sebum production.  We are still awaiting more data, but green tea products are already popping up in drug stores.  At this point, we recommend sticking with your prescription regimen and gentle cleansers and moisturizers at home.  However, it may not be long before green tea becomes an essential part of every acne regimen.  Stay tuned.

What You Need to Know About Benzoyl Peroxide

When it comes to treating acne, one of the most widely used over-the-counter ingredients is benzoyl peroxide. From spot treatments to cleansers, benzoyl peroxide is effective at cleaning out the pores by introducing oxygen and thereby killing the  P. Acnes bacteria. It was one of the very first treatments used to fight acne. One of the downsides to benzoyl peroxide is that it can be very drying on the skin. Clear Clinic recommends alternating and using your benzoyl peroxide treatment every other night. Another important point to remember is that benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric, so be prepared for it to bleach any pillowcases or T-shirts it comes in contact with!