Acne is the most common skin disease. It can range from mild (blackheads and the odd pimple or two) to severe - a face, torso and back covered in pus filled and inflamed "zits". Not pleasant. Everyone wants to think that people judge them for their character and their actions, not their complexion. But we live in a society where a high premium is put on exterior appearances. So the natural instinct when faced with a break out is to want to make it disappear - fast! But is it possible to cure acne overnight?

Well, don't believe the "hype" from advertisers. Sure, there are a few "quick fixes" that can help when a few pimples show up. No need to waste money on expensive creams - most of the "quick fixes" can be done using ingredients you already have at home. They include:

Toothpaste

Make sure it's white tooth paste, not your little brother's sparkly, bubble gum tooth gel. This can work in a pinch for a few pimples (certainly don't apply it to your whole face or you risk making the problem much worse by irritating your skin). Dab on the toothpaste before bed, rinse off in the morning and in most cases the irritation around the pimple will be visibly decreased.

Lemon juice

Put some lemon juice on the end of a cotton ball and dab it on the pimple. It should tingle your skin but not feel like it burns. If it feels too strong, dilute the lemon juice with water. You can leave the solution on your face overnight and rinse off in the morning. This can work because lemon juice contains citric acid, a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid (you notice that one of the ingredients in fancy creams is often grape seed or other natural AHAs). Many pimples should be visible diminished by the morning.

However, these "overnight quick fixes" only treat the symptoms of acne. They do not address the root problem of what is causing the acne in the first place. These solutions are no better than covering up acne with a concealer, or foundation. There are excellent mineral products out there for men and women to cover up your acne. But you don't want to cover up your acne, you want it to go away permanently.

The root cause of acne is the overproduction of sebum (oil) in the sebaceous glands and the blocking of the pores through which the sebum should naturally escape. Lots of things can contribute to this, and many simple things can be done to remedy them. Getting enough sleep, drinking fluids, keeping your face properly cleansed, healthful nutrition. These are all life style choices and not "quick fixes". The biggest contributing factor in the overall healthy functioning of the sebaceous glands is hormonal balance. That's why many people get their first experience with acne during puberty - their hormones are in over drive.

So, no quick fixes. But there is great news! You are in TOTAL control of what you put in and on your body and how you treat it. Much great research has been done in recent years on how to holistically cure acne, the benefits being that not only your acne, but your whole well being will improve. Please give them a try and say good bye to "overnight miracle cures".