Acne Information

How to Choose an Over The Counter Acne Medication


There are literally hundreds of various treatments available to reduce acne. There is everything from all natural herbal remedies, to powerful chemical pharmaceuticals such as Accutane.

However, the most commonly used acne treatments in the United States are over the counter acne medications. They are generally inexpensive when compared to prescription medications, and some work very well.

Benzoyl peroxide is the most commonly used over the counter acne medication, and for good reason; Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most effective acne treatments available.

A 5% solution is usually all that is needed to treat acne, and it has almost no side effects for most people who use it. Unlike antibiotics and other prescription medications, Benzoyl peroxide can be used for months, even years at a time, and there are really no long term side effects (including a tolerance) that can be associated with it.

Furthermore, benzoyl peroxide has been compared to some of the prescription medications for acne, and it is nearly as effective as many acne antibiotics. Over all, benzoyl peroxide is the most successful over the counter acne medication.

However, there are others that can be very beneficial as well, including salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, and it works as an astringent to remove dead skin cells. By removing the dead cells, this helps eliminate clogged pores, as well as help the skin renew itself faster.

Since acne is caused by p.bacteria that builds up in sebum in the pores of the skin, it is very important for the sebum to have a way of draining out of the pores before it becomes infected. Once salicylic acid is used to eliminate the dead skin cells, then the sebum is much less likely to become trapped under the skin and infected.

Salicylic acid is often sold as a makeup remover, but it is most commonly used in acne treatment via stridex pads or oxy pads.

Sulfur is also used in some over the counter acne medications. Sulfur is one of the oldest acne treatments, and reacts with the skin in such a way that it makes it dry, and peel. This works on acne by drying out the Sebum, and therefore, stopping the bacterial growth.

Many soaps and facial cleansers have sulfur in them. Sulfur is effective in getting rid of whiteheads and blackheads. It doesn't work well against the more inflamed cystic acne. One of the drawbacks is that it can increase skin cell adhesion to the skin, and therefore help cause more pimples in the future. It is best to use a gentle exfoliator when using sulfur to treat acne.

Sulfur also has a strong odor, and some people have skin that reacts harshly to sulfur, causing excessive redness and peeling.

Resorcinol is another over-the-counter chemical that is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne. It works by breaking down hard skin. For acne, this means less clogged pores, and faster skin growth. Resorcinol is commonly used with sulfur to treat acne. It is also good for eczema and dandruff.

Because it is a strong chemical, don't use resorcinol with other astringents or cleansers unless advised by a dermatologist to do so.

These are the most commonly used over the counter acne treatments. For anyone who is suffering from acne, these 4 over-the-counter treatments have a good chance of helping to reduce or eliminate acne.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and editor of http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com


MORE RESOURCES:

CaymanMama.com (press release)

Roche ordered to pay $13M to users of acne drug
The Associated Press - 9 hours ago
All three began using Accutane a decade ago to treat teenage acne. One of the group is expected to soon have his colon surgically removed while the others ...
New Jersey Jury Awards $12.9 Million to Three Patients Whose Use ... MarketWatch
Roche drug litigation suit pays $13M to Accutane users CaymanMama.com (press release)
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AsiaOne

The pill isn't the best answer for acne
AsiaOne, Singapore - 23 hours ago
By Thidakarn Ratanabanangkoon, MP Q. Does the birth-control pill cure acne? My 13-year-old daughter is getting a lot of pimples. ...


Acne gel being recalled
Capital News 9, NY - Nov 17, 2008
DG Maximum Strength Acne Medicated Gel sold at Dollar General and the Equate Medicated Acne Gel sold at Wal-Mart are being pulled off the shelves. ...


Business Wire (press release)

Arcutis Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Approval of Acanya™ Gel for ...
Business Wire (press release), CA - 14 hours ago
Evaluated in clinical studies enrolling over 3200 subjects with moderate to severe acne, Acanya Gel is the only FDA-approved fixed combination antibiotic ...


Medicated Acne Gel Recall: Sold at Wal-Mart, Kroger and Dollar General
AboutLawsuits.com - Nov 18, 2008
A recall has been issued for 1 ounce tubes of 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cream, which were sold as “Kroger Acne Gel”, “DG Maximum Strength Acne Medicated ...


The Money Times

CSI USA, Inc. Issues Voluntary National Recall of Topical Acne Cream
MarketWatch - Nov 13, 2008
No other acne medications sold by Dollar General, Kroger or Wal-Mart are affected by this recall. CSI USA, Inc. 170 Commerce Way Gallatin, TN 37066 Attn: ...
Various brands of acne creams are recalled The Money Times
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Benzoyl peroxide topical acne cream recalled
Prescribing Reference, New York - Nov 18, 2008
CSI, Inc. has issued a voluntary nationwide recall of all lots of 1oz (28g) tubes of 10% benzoyl peroxide acne cream because product samples were found to ...


New Study Finds CO2 Ablative Fractional Resurfacing Safe And ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 19, 2008
For many acne patients, the resulting acne scars which last long after the pimples have disappeared can cause considerable psychosocial distress. ...


My life in shopping: Trinny Woodall
guardian.co.uk, UK - 39 minutes ago
I went to Clinique and bought the three-step acne programme and felt so grown-up. Are you a shrinking violet in the changing rooms? No. ...


The truth about acne - Part II
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - Nov 17, 2008
Often times, acne involves an increase in oil production, so persons with acne may notice that they have a more oily skin than others. ...

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