HEALTH

A lot of the time, getting clear skin can feel like a struggle.

You have to hunt for just the right skin care products and figure out how to use them and for how long. The process is made even more difficult by what we put on or in our bodies: Heavy makeup is not good for keeping skin clear and drinking cow's milk and consuming too much sugar can cause breakouts, too.

In short, avoiding blemishes and treating them is a difficult and repetitive process. However, there's actually a *free* app that can help you sort it all out: MDacne.

The app was spurred by Dr. Yoram Harth, a board certified dermatologist specializing in the treatment of acne. Statistics show that only 10 percent of the teens with acne visit a dermatologist, so we can't imagine how many teens with acne are leaving it untreated or treating it incorrectly. Luckily, MDacne app can teach you how to treat your acne when you do not want to visit the derm or do not have a way to do so.

What it does

The app begins by gathering basic info about the user, like gender and age. It then obtains more info about their life with acne by asking questions like: For how long do you have acne? How do you treat your acne? What's your skin type? and so on. The app then allows the user to take a photo of their face so that they can analyze the skin's condition. Tip: It's best to take the photo in natural lighting so that it's evenly illuminated, the app says. Then, the app will analyze the user's answers and the photo.

How the app helps users

After analyzing, it provides the user with an acne severity rating. Then it directs them to one of two treatments: self treatment or doctor treatment. Users with milder cases of acne are provided with suggestions for over the counter products. Users with more severe cases of acne are recommended to see a dermatologist, says Dr. Harth. Not only that, the app also offers a clear daily skincare routine based on over the counter products personalized to the user's skin condition. It educates them on the ways to prevent acne breakouts, what makeup to use and, most importantly, keeps users committed to their treatment by providing them with a way to track those results.

All in all, it is an information-packed app that provides users with valuable resources about an extremely personal part of life. That's *definitely* something we can get behind.

How do you currently treat your acne? Does this app sound like something that would be beneficial to you?

We want to hear from you! Send us your weirdest body questions here (seriously, we'll answer anything!) and it just might get featured.

by Sydney Adamson | 10/23/2016