Over-the-Counter Acne Treatment - What Works and Why
Many over-the-counter acne treatments are now available.
You can use them to treat pimples ranging from mild to moderate to severely stubborn.
Whether your breakouts are regular or periodic, you can use these products to remedy your zits.
But with so many bottles and jars lining shelves today, how do you know which product will work for you? Before you grab the bottle that is the closest to you, it's best to first find out how over-the-counter acne treatments work and what active ingredients to look for.
Acne creams and lotions work in different ways, depending on what their active ingredient is.
Here are the most common ingredients.
Salicylic acid.
Be careful how you use products with salicylic.
Applied too often and too much, it can cause skin irritation and mild stinging.
Salicylic is a useful component of OTC creams, lotions, and gels because it breaks down blackheads and whiteheads.
At the same time, it slows the shedding of cells within hair follicles, which in turn helps stop the clogging of pores.
Sulfur and resorcinol.
You will rarely find sulfur used without resorcinol.
This mixture removes excess oil and dead skin cells.
Again, pay careful attention to the instructions on the label.
Overuse can lead to peeling and redness.
Benzoyl peroxide.
Perhaps the most effective of all active ingredients in your typical over-the-counter acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that causes breakouts.
Usually present in minimal percentages (2.
5 to 10 percent), this active ingredient is not without its dangers.
It can cause minor swelling, redmess, scaling, and excessive dryness.
Now you know what active ingredients to look for in your over-the-counter acne treatment.
Use that knowledge to come up with a skin care regimen that will help you in two ways - stop acne and prevent future breakouts.
Good luck!
You can use them to treat pimples ranging from mild to moderate to severely stubborn.
Whether your breakouts are regular or periodic, you can use these products to remedy your zits.
But with so many bottles and jars lining shelves today, how do you know which product will work for you? Before you grab the bottle that is the closest to you, it's best to first find out how over-the-counter acne treatments work and what active ingredients to look for.
Acne creams and lotions work in different ways, depending on what their active ingredient is.
Here are the most common ingredients.
Salicylic acid.
Be careful how you use products with salicylic.
Applied too often and too much, it can cause skin irritation and mild stinging.
Salicylic is a useful component of OTC creams, lotions, and gels because it breaks down blackheads and whiteheads.
At the same time, it slows the shedding of cells within hair follicles, which in turn helps stop the clogging of pores.
Sulfur and resorcinol.
You will rarely find sulfur used without resorcinol.
This mixture removes excess oil and dead skin cells.
Again, pay careful attention to the instructions on the label.
Overuse can lead to peeling and redness.
Benzoyl peroxide.
Perhaps the most effective of all active ingredients in your typical over-the-counter acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that causes breakouts.
Usually present in minimal percentages (2.
5 to 10 percent), this active ingredient is not without its dangers.
It can cause minor swelling, redmess, scaling, and excessive dryness.
Now you know what active ingredients to look for in your over-the-counter acne treatment.
Use that knowledge to come up with a skin care regimen that will help you in two ways - stop acne and prevent future breakouts.
Good luck!
