Articles

More than 16 million people in the United States suffer from acne vulgaris. Accordingly, pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies have targeted this large market by developing a vast range of skin care products to clean and clear your skin of acne.

Here, we'll touch on fads, brand names, types of acne products and what ingredients should be found in the best acne products to help you get a handle of that daunting cleansers aisle. When finished, you should have a good idea of the different non acne medication options out there.

Over the Counter Acne Products

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide, one of the most common over the counter acne solutions, works by killing the acne-causing bacteria P. acnes and by removing excess skin cells. The P. acnes bacteria cannot survive in an aerobic, or with oxygen, environment. Application of benzoyl peroxide introduces oxygen into the follicle, thereby killing bacteria. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide dries out the skin and causes flaking, in addition to causing some level of structural damage to the skin by its release of free radicals. Proactiv's infomercial has made their product popular; their main product line utilizes benzoyl peroxide.

Salicylic Acid

Pimple products with salicylic acid assist the skin in shedding excess skin cells more efficiently, thereby reducing the likelihood that skin cells will combine with sebum and form pore-clogging keratin. Salicylic acid tends to work well as the main ingredient of whitehead and blackhead products. Popular brands that use salicylic acid include Noxzema, Oxy and Stridex.

Alcohol and Acetone

Alcohol and acetone are typically found together in oily skin acne treatments as toners and astringents. The alcohol attacks the bacteria problem while the acetone eliminates oil.

Sulfur and Resorcinol

Resorcinol and sulfur typically are combined in acne products. Sulfur has been used for more than 50 years as a way to become acne free but how it works has still not been agreed upon. Resorcinol prevents whiteheads and blackheads by removing excess dead skin cells. The Clearsil 'Medicated' Blemish line utilizes resorcinol and sulfur.

Natural Acne Products

Tea Tree Oil

Applied topically, tea tree oil works as a strong antibacterial and anti-fungal. As the skin can be sensitive at the beginning to tea tree oil, begin with low strengths, diluting with water or aloe vera.

Licorice Root Extract

Licorice root extract is an antibacterial and kills the P. acnes bacteria. It also works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antioxidant and inhibitor of sebum.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibacterial agent that also contains sulfur.

Alpine Willow Herb Extract

In addition to being an antiseptic, this extract is a botanical source of keratolytic salicylic acid.

Helix Aspersa Muller Glycoconjugates

With regard to natural treatments, the top acne products should include this miracle serum. These glycoconjugates stimulate the cell reparation process (proving extremely useful for diminishing the appearance of acne scars) and manage the body's inflammatory reaction to infections. This moderating action helps reduce the amount of damaging chemicals released by white blood cells when fighting against foreign bodies, effectively shielding adjacent healthy skin against unnecessary harm. It also enzymatically breaks down excess skin, preventing further pore blockage, and disinfects the skin without causing dryness.