Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Over-the-counter acne products: What works and why
Treatments and drugs (3)
- Acne treatments: Emerging therapies for clearer skin
- Combination birth control pills
- Laser resurfacing
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Over-the-counter acne products: What works and why
Choosing an effective acne product
The acne product that's best for you depends on many factors, including your skin type, the type and severity of your acne, and your skin care preferences. Here are some general guidelines in choosing and using acne products:
- Begin with benzoyl peroxide. If you're not sure which acne product to buy, start with one that contains benzoyl peroxide. It's effective and well tolerated for most people. Check product labels for the type and amount of its active ingredient.
- Start with lower strength acne products. This can help minimize redness, excessive dryness and other skin problems. If needed, gradually increase the strength and frequency of your applications over several weeks so that your skin can adjust to the treatments.
- Use two products with different active ingredients to treat stubborn acne. Acne ingredients work in different ways, so you may find it helpful to use varying products and ingredients to treat stubborn acne. Apply one in the morning and the other at night to prevent skin irritation.
- Be patient. Treating acne with acne products takes time and patience. It may take four to eight weeks of daily use of an acne product to see results, and acne may look worse before it gets better.
- Experiment with what works. You may need to try different products with varying active ingredients before you find a regimen that works for you.
Skin care tips when using acne products
Acne products are just one step in your skin care regimen. When using acne products:
- Wash problem areas twice daily with a nonmedicated soap or mild cleanser. But don't overdo it. Excessive washing and scrubbing can worsen acne.
- Apply just enough acne product to cover the problem areas.
- Use an oil-free, water-based moisturizer to help alleviate dry, peeling skin in areas where needed.
- Avoid oily cosmetics, sunscreens and hair products. Instead use products labeled "oil-free" or "noncomedogenic," which means they won't clog pores.
- Don't pick or squeeze blemishes. Infection or scarring may result.
- Watch what touches your face. Keep your hair clean and off your face. Also avoid resting your hands or objects, such as telephone receivers or cell phones, on your face.
If your acne doesn't improve after two months of treatment, consider seeing your doctor or a dermatologist for a prescription lotion or medication.
Previous page(2 of 2)
- Bowe WP, et al. Effective over-the-counter acne treatments. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2008;27:170.
- Habif TP. Acne. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..X0001-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniq=179306395#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00016-X%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
- Acne. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_acne.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
- Ofori AO. Treatment of acne vulgaris. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
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