Acne Articles
Various Skin Care Products Clarified
There are a plethora of acne medications currently on the market. Some must be prescribed by a doctor, such as accutane. Others treatments are over the counter chemical compounds, such as Proactiv solution and Clearasil. There are even herbal based acne medications, such as garlic oil. However, many do not work as advertised.
Part of the problem with finding the right acne treatment is that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to acne. Some people respond differently to the various medications. However, there are many skin care medications that have been clinically proven to be effective in treating acne, here are some of the treatments that help prevent acne.
Acne Treatments Available at the store
There are some over the counter acne treatments that work perfect. The favorites for most people are benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.
Benzoyl peroxide destroys acne causing bacteria found deep in the pores. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most commonly used acne treatment because it is affordable, easily available, and nearly as effective as most prescription medication.
Salicylic acid works by removing the top layers of dead skin cells. This helps the skin renew itself quickly, and reduces the chance for pore blockage and a subsequent acne breakout. The most popular product in this OTC category is Proactiv Solution sold by Guthy Renker!.
Natural Skin Care Treatments
The vast majority of acne treatments fall under the heading of “herbal” acne treatments. The reason is because of the lack or regulation for herbal products. This can be very frustrating to the general consumer, because it is impossible to tell which herbal treatment will work to stop acne, and which ones will do very little at all.
Of every herbal cure available, there are only 2 that are currently proven to stop acne. Tea tree oil will help get rid of acne, and so will green tea cream.
Tea tree oil is an oil derived from one tea tree plant that is unique to Australia. For several hundred years it was touted as a cure all, until penicillin was introduced to fight bacteria. However, tea tree oil has seen a recent revival due in part to study conducted in the 90's that proved it to be as effective in treating acne as 5% benzoyl peroxide. The Best result found was that it has zero side effects unlike benzoyl peroxide.
Green tea cream has been validated more recently, at the 2003 American Academy of Dermatology conference. It was proven that green tea is as effective in treating acne as a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution. Though the study has not been corroborated yet, it demonstrated that there is another herbal treatment other than tea tree oil.
Doctor Prescribed Skin Care Medicines
The best prescription medication is Accutane. Sometimes referred to as the miracle product of acne treatments, Accutane contains vitamin A. Accutane is most effective medicine for bad acne, and not to be taken lightly. For some people, the many side effects can be worse than the acne itself. However, Accutane is one product that works.
Retin A and Renova are also prescription medications. These acne products are topical derivatives of vitamin A, and are also great for helping fine lines, wrinkles, and slight skin discolorations. Unfortunately doctors ask that you stay away from the sun as much as possible when using these treatments. However, both treatments work very well.
Birth control pills and antibiotics round out the acne medications most commonly prescribed. Birth control pills are used exclusively by women to help regulate hormones, and therefore reduce the hormonally related acne that some people suffer from. Antibiotics work by attacking the acne causing bacteria as it grows deep in skin pores.
These are some of the acne medicines found to work. For those who are experiencing a skin condition, any of the above treatments would be well worth purchasing.
More Acne Articles: