Seaweed extract shows promise in acne treatment--study

The key to permanently ridding oneself of nasty breakouts and crippling acne scars may be seaweed, claims a new study.

According to researchers, an active ingredient from a specific type of brown seaweed found only off the coast of Brittany can diminish acne spots by regulating oil production, removing bacteria, and reducing redness.

The seaweeds are hauled from the seabed and the marine plant extract is used for acne treatment products that help deal with skin prone to pimples, blackheads, and excess oil.

Professor Enzo Berardesca, a director at the Instituto Dermatolgico San Gallicano, Italy stated, “Patients with mild to moderate acne, such as blackheads, whiteheads, and skin redness, found their symptoms markedly reduced.

"You might expect irritation because you're removing a superficial layer of skin but there was none.

"People will probably like using this because it comes from a natural source and is not a chemical."

Details of the study
In a bid to assess the effectiveness of the seaweed extract cream, Mentholatum, the manufacturer of the OXY range conducted clinical trials.

For the purpose of the study they enrolled 60 males aged 12 to 24 years suffering from mild acne.

After a period of 14 days, visible results were evident. The subjects using products with the seaweed extract exhibited a significant improvement in their acne condition compared to those using a dummy face wash, gel, or scrub.

The spotty areas diminished and the inflammation and redness also subsided. In addition there were no side effects.

OXY skincare range for men
OXY skincare range is just for boys; helping to combat problems associated with adolescent skin.

This is a medicated range specially engineered for male skin, providing a solution for greasy looking skin that is peppered with blackheads and spots.

The new seaweed extract product is expected to hit the shelves in Britain this weekend.

A little about acne
Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under the skin clog up.

Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Anyone can get acne, but it is common in teenagers and young adults. Though not serious, but it can cause scars.

No one knows exactly what causes acne. Hormone changes, such as those during the teenage years, perhaps play a role.

Males are more likely to have more severe, longer lasting acne because an increase in androgen levels (male sex hormones) causes skin to over-produce oil (sebum).

Oily skin then has trouble shedding dead skin cells which causes a build-up and blocked pores.

If suffering from acne, the skin should be cleaned gently, try not to finger the spots and avoid the sun.

Treatments for acne include medicines and creams.