There are a huge number of over the counter acne treatments with a variety of ingredients to reduce the appearance of pimples, blackheads and redness and it may be confusing deciding which one to buy. Which ingredients are best for your acne and which cause side effects? In this article we will describe the most popular active ingredients used in OTC acne remedies together with their side effects so that you can make a good choice. We should say however that if your acne is particularly severe or you have cystic acne you should consult a dermatologist rather than trying to treat yourself.
The number one ingredient in terms of popularity is undoubtedly benzoyl peroxide. you can find this in the most popular OTC acne treatments such as ProActive and Clearasil. It is popular because it definitely works! If you have never used benzoyl peroxide before you may experience some side effects such as skin reddening, itching or irritation but these usually clear up in a day or two. Over the long term benzoyl peroxide is safe and should be used continuously even when flareups subside as it will prevent further outbreaks.
Benzoyl peroxide works by releasing oxygen onto the skin which prevents the acne causing bacteria to grow. It is available in a variety if strengths although it is wise to start with a low strength cream or gel and only use a higher strength if your skin does not clear up after a few weeks. You should also use these types of acne creams over the whole area that is affected, not just the spots, to prevent outbreaks in other areas.
Another popular ingredient is salicylic acid which is used to clean the pores and remove debris and dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is a good exfoliator and is also used in higher concentrations as a chemical peel. Although it does not kill the bacteria directly it is excellent for cleaning out the pores so that the bacteria do not have a good place to thrive.
Tea tree oil has been used for a long time to kill bacteria and has been found to be effective in the treatment of acne. Some studies have found it to be as effective over the long term as benzoyl peroxide but does not have any side effects. It may take a little longer to see results if you use tea tree oil but it should significantly help to clear up the skin over a few months. It can be bought at health food stores or online and needs to be diluted before use. A 5% solution of tea tree oil in water is usually recommended although you can increase this if you do not see any improvement. However, do not use more than a 15% solution on the skin.
Another ingredient that can be used as an acne home treatment is sulphur which can be found in some cleansers and soaps. It can be drying to the skin and some people have reported that it causes some redness. It doesn't smell very nice but it is effective for treating whiteheads and blackheads.
For those with moderate or mild acne an over the counter acne treatment can be effective if used consistently and over a long period. For any acne treatment don't expect the problem to go away overnight! Try a product containing one of the above ingredients but allow a few months for it to work before trying a different one.
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