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Most of us have experienced
acne in one form or another - from the occasional pimple or zit
to severe lesions and cysts - at one point or another in our
lives, most commonly in the teenage years with the onset of
puberty. And as adults, we occasionally see those pimples coming
back at times of hormonal changes, with mounting stress,
responsibility, environmental wear and tear, and other changes
we experience. Not only do these types of conditions
affect the impression we have on others as far as appearances
go, but they can also affect your self esteem and confidence.
There are many over-the-counter (OTC) acne products, cleansers,
creams, lotions, gels and solutions to choose from to address
your acne. Some are designed to address existing skin blemishes,
some to prevent them, and others to do both. There are 'systems'
which are several products that work together in a regimen and
there are 'acne zappers' - single product designed to address a
specific blemish. Whichever type of treatment seems more
appealing to you, it's important that you look at the labels to
find out if a given product is going to be effective.
Most popular acne treatments are designed to reduce abnormal
clumping of cells in the follicles, help to control increased
oil production, manage and fight bacteria levels, and help to
reduce and mitigate inflammation. Not all treatments are
effective however. The key ingredients they contain and the
concentrations in which they're formulated are very important
when it comes to how effective a given product is. Some of the
key ingredients known to be effective as acne treatments
include:
- Benzoyl peroxide: Known to destroy P. acnes bacteria while
reducing oil production
Benzoyl peroxide is a strong oxidizer and thus tends to work
well in fighting bacteria. However, as it helps your skin
control increased oil production, it can lead to dryness, so
when opting for an acne treatment that uses this ingredient,
also check to see that it contains a non-comedogenic moisturizer
to counter any dryness. Some of the product brands we've
reviewed on this site have a good balance of ingredients for
treating acne.
- Resorcinol: Unclogs pores to break down blackheads and
whiteheads
- Salicylic acid: Unclogs pores to break down blackheads and
whiteheads, but also known to reduce shedding of the cells that
line hair follicles
- Triclosan: Its antibacterial properties control P. acnes
levels
- Sulfur: Acts as an exfoliant to promote normal skin cell
turnover while preventing clumping
Acne treatments can be very effective when they're properly
formulated and designed. Choose one that suits your skin type
and take a look at the acne products we've reviewed on this
site.
DrSkinSpa.com, a doctor owned and operated spa store has a wide
range of acne treatment products and will even provide
consultation to help find the best product for your specific
case.
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