Over the Counter Acne Treatment Products That Work

 Over the counter acne treatment products typically include acne or spot treatments, cleansers and washes, moisturizers, lotions, pads and wipes, masks and strips, shaving creams, and toners and astringents.

So how do you know what over the counter acne treatment you should use? Here's some simple, yet powerful information that most folks unfortunately don't take the time to find out.

Benzoyl Peroxide the Bacteria Slayer

Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) in over the counter acne treatment products:

-works best for moderate to moderately severe acne,

-deeply penetrates into the skin to kill tough bacteria,

-is best used preventatively,

-dries and exfoliating the skin,

-works faster than prescription antibiotics, and

-doesn't allow bacteria to build resistance like prescription antibiotics.

However, BP is a very harsh chemical. It causes redness, dryness, and scaling. BP can also lighten fabric colors.

You can find a cheap tube of BP in any drugstore at 2.5% which will work wonders over a few weeks time.

Salicylic Acid - the Surface Slougher

Salicylic Acid or "beta hydroxyl acid" (BHA) works best for mild acne and sensitive skin, as a cleanser ingredient to slough surface skin cells, and as an agent that prepares the skin for other acne treatments. It breaks down a protein that holds the skin cells together. Over time, it exfoliates old skin and allows new healthy skin to surface. It loosens whiteheads and blackheads and helps expel them.

Salicylic acid is fairly mild. It does not reach down deep into the skin follicles like benzoyl peroxide. It can take up to 3 months to loosen smaller whiteheads and blackheads.

However salicylic acid works well if you use it over a consistent and long period of time.

Some side effects of salicylic acid include some skin peeling, dryness, and irritation when used at concentrations of 2% or greater. Possible adverse effects include salicylate toxicity, toxic inner ear damage, and hypersensitivity. Also risk of increases in skin sensitivity to sunlight.

Look for an over the counter acne treatment cleanser with concentrations of 2% salicylic acid, in an acid base with a pH of between 3 and 4.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)

Alpha Hydroxy Acids work best for all types of skin, as a mild or strong cleanser, and for healing and preventing acne.

AHAs are natural acids which come from fruits, milk sugars, and plants. Glycolic and lactic acids are the most frequently used in over the counter acne treatment products, and are the most well researched AHAs to date.

AHA's gently peel away the uppermost layer of dead skin cells. They make way for the newer skin beneath.

Look for a product with a glycolic acid concentration between 8 and 10% and no other active ingredients. You should see results in the texture of your skin within a few weeks.

Side effects include more susceptibility to sunlight and minor skin irritation or blisters and burns. Fewer AHA products have FDA approval.

Retinol

Retinol is the chemical name for vitamin A - which is the active ingredient in the prescription drug Retin-A, the favored topical prescription acne treatment.

Retinol works best in high concentrations and when packaged stably. It hasn't really proven its effectiveness for acne.

Sulfur and Resorcinol

Basically, sulfur kills acne bacteria. Resorcinol helps shed the outer layer of skin, and increases the effect of sulfur. However, experts aren't entirely sure how it works in combination with sulfur.

Resorcinol alone is not an effective acne treatment. It can be very irritating to some patients. For those who can't use BP or Retin-A, sulfur may be a good alternative.

The side effects are minor: dryness and unpleasant odour. It's not recommended for pregnant women unless their doctor prescribes resorcinol. There are no major known adverse effects in resorcinol's combination with sulfur.

Everyone is different

For maximum effectiveness, find a cleanser containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid, a leave-on benzoyl product, and a moisturizer you wear overtop.

As a general rule of thumb, OTC drugs should work within 6 to 8 weeks. If they don't work within 10 weeks and even promote breakouts, see a dermatologist.

Now you have enough knowledge to look for effective skin products, as well as how to use them to use them the right way.

About the author:

Yvette Chau is a freelance writer based in Edmonton, Canada specializing in the area of skincare and acne treatment. Undergoing failed treatments herself before finding a solution for her own skin problems, she offers information and advice to others on Your-best-acne.treatment.com. She offers carefully researched information on OTC products at http://www.your-best-acne-treatment.com/best-acne-medications.htm l.

 Yvette Chau

More Articles 

Tips to Help Prevent Acne - Nicky Pilkington
People often think that a diet high in fats and sugars is the cause of acne. This is because people who have a non-westernized diet often also enjoy a marked absence of this disease. Scientific studies have not been able to prove that this is...

Curing acne once and for all! - Michael Rad
Acne affects a huge number of people all over the world and is one of the most problematic issues of teenagers and adults alike. The idea of a successful acne home remedy treatment is growing in popularity with all age groups. Effective...

The 4 Golden Rules to Follow When Applying Acne Creams - Peter Vine
Basically there are two types of acne treatment in common use. The first is one you apply to your skin (topical) and the second is the sort you swallow (tablets). Your medical advisor will assess which type is best suited for you. This article is...

Acne Control The Natural Way! - Kirsten Hawkins
Want to get rid of those zits in your face but you are currently low on budget? How about looking for acne control to avoid the sudden appearance of acne in your skin? So how do we do this? First, what is acne? Acne is a skin disorder caused by the...

Treating and Preventing Acne - Elizabeth McGee
Acne is a common skin condition that almost everyone experiences at some point in their lives. While it is most common in teens and young adults, over 80% experience at least some mild form of acne. Most people outgrow their acne by their 20's,...

Herbal Remedies for Treating Acne - Nicky Pilkington
Acne is not caused by dirt, though careful attention to hygiene helps to keep inflammation at bay. A trial done in Singapore a few years ago points to acne being caused by the failure of the body to break down and metabolize oil in the body. Why...

7 Tips For Boys On Reducing Acne - Daniel Lesser
The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of acne is certainly no exception. Many people believe that boy's puberty and acne should not be seen as a...

Over The Counter Acne Treatments – Do They Work? - Elaine Clay
Over the counter, sometimes referred to as otc for short, products are starting to become an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medication in the treatment of acne. These products are readily available as you don't need a...

What is my acne really trying to tell me? - Robert Kokoska
Most acne products do nothing more than waste money. Imagine spending hundreds of dollars on creams and lotions only to find out they didn't really work or only gave you temporary relief. Acne remains a serious problem for a lot of teenagers ...

Benzoyl Peroxide - Why You Shouldn't Use It for Adult Acne - Danna Schneider
Benzoyl peroxide is probably the most common acne fighting ingredient found in over the counter topical gels, creams and face washes. This chemical mixture can be fairly effective topically in treating very mild acne in my opinion, but it...