Dan Kern is a founder of the Dan Kern’s Regimen, as well as the creator of www.acne.org/messageboard, one of the number one acne forums currently available online. The acne forum was initialized as a means to discuss a vast array of acne treatment options available today, as well as to share the success of the regimen. Today, the Acne.org forum serves as a powerful support community for a wide range of acne sufferers. Dan Kern’s Regimen encompasses a simple, three-step, process to achieve clear skin and each step is equally significant in the overall efficacy of the regimen.
For best results, the three steps outlined below should be performed two times per day, preferably in the morning and in the evening. The acne sufferers with mild to moderate acne conditions seem to show the greatest improvement.
STEP ONE
The first step to Dan Kern’s Regimen is choosing a proper facial cleanser for acne prone skin.
Understanding that gentle and fragrance free cleansers are a necessity, serves as the initial key feature of the clear skin equation. Dan advises all acne sufferers to avoid any products marketing irritating ingredients. Such irritating constituents, found in many popular cleansers today, further aggravate acne prone skin and may be a contributing element to future breakouts. A great example of an acceptable cleanser for those suffering with acne would be Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser specifically directed at preventing dryness associated with topical acne products. While a vast array of other pretty good cleansers are also available in the blooming skin care market, another ideal cleanser example is the Dan Kern’s Gentle Cleanser. Featured in a large 16oz. bottle, Dan’s cleanser is specifically targeted to be gentle, pH balanced, fragrance free and dye free.
In order to properly use the cleanser, put a small amount of cleanser into your hands and gently wash your face for about ten seconds. Keep in mind that Dan advises against using any additional scrubbing methods or products while cleansing because they could potentially have adverse effects on the efficacy of the regimen.
Next, pat dry your skin and wait for it to completely dry before continuing onto step two of the regimen.
STEP TWO
The second step of the regimen is the generous application of 2.5 % benzoyl peroxide.
The second step is actually responsible for directly attacking Propionibacterium Acnes, the stubborn skin bacteria eagerly populating the skin of acne sufferers and causing breakouts.
The key to step two is purchasing a 2.5% versus 10% benzoyl peroxide gel or cream as a means of attack and prevention. Dan confirms, “Several studies show that a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide solution actually works better than the over drying 10% solutions” (www.acne.org). It is significant to spend time searching for a 2.5% cream or gel because most of the products currently at our local markets are actually offered in 10% concentrations. Dan goes to explain this situation as a form of a marketing gimmick by larger companies because human nature often falsely believes that higher concentrations often indicate superior results. Nonetheless, he firmly corroborates that through his own experience, as well as through scientific studies, the 2.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide provides the best results without the adverse side effects associated with greater concentrations.
Both Neutrogena on the Spot and Dan Kern’s Clear Skin line offer an effective 2.5% concentration currently available on the market. Nevertheless, the budget-oriented consumers, always looking for a more economical approach, will find it interesting that Dan’s benzoyl peroxide medication comes in a large 4oz. bottle while most of the other on-the-spot treatments are significantly smaller and more expensive.
To effectively perform the step two of the regimen, you must apply a very GENEROUS amount of benzoyl peroxide to one area of your face at a time. Dan believes that the generous application is the most important aspect of the process. One of the biggest mistakes people make when applying the medication is that they don’t use enough product.
If you are just starting the benzoyl peroxide regimen and have no previous history with the medication, Dan informs you to use sufficient amount of benzoyl peroxide to cover an area equal to one third of your index finger. As your skin adapts to the regimen, you should increase the amount of product to cover an entire area of your index finger and the adaptation process should generally take two to four weeks. Such gentle approach will prevent possible redness, itching, and irritation associated with too much benzoyl peroxide too quickly.
Waiting 5 to 10 minutes until engaging into the last step of the regimen is also highly recommended.
STEP THREE
The final step of the regimen is the application of a moisturizer.
Finding a simple moisturizer to target flaky and red skin often associated with benzoyl peroxide use is the one step that will keep you coming back to the regimen. Many acne sufferers have a tendency to give up on the regimen because they don’t want to deal with the adverse side effects of benzoyl peroxide.
Adding a liberal amount of moisturizer, and making sure it gets absorbed into the skin as much as possible, will address most of the flakiness, itching and redness that some users experience with benzoyl peroxide.
Some of the suggestions for good moisturizers that Dan makes on his site include the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and the Neutrogena Healthy Skin with AHA. However, his most praised method of moisturizing includes a simple application of few drops of jojoba oil, which is also non-comedogenic, to all areas of the skin where benzoyl peroxide was previously applied.
WHY ACNE SUFFERERS TRUST THE THREE STEP APPROACH?
Dan Kern’s Regimen has a lot of supporters who swear by the three step approach to effectively clear skin and prevent future breakouts. Many acne sufferers trust Dan because his principal goal has always been to unite a community of acne sufferers in order to provide a welcoming place on the internet where they can share their stories, enhance their knowledge, and together, embrace the future of skin care.
