The best approach to acne would be to avoid an acne outbreak altogether, if possible. There are actions you can take to help prevent the acne from occurring. Some actions to take include preventing the pores of the skin from becoming clogged; unclogging pores that are already infected; combatting any bacteria that are the cause of the infection; and reducing any redness that may already be present because of the acne.

Caring for your face with a gentle washing once or twice daily using just soap and water can make all the difference in keeping your pores clear. In addition to this, applying benzoyl peroxide will aid in drying out the skin as well as cleaning it even further. Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient in most over the counter facial wipes such as Oxy Pads. One of the truly nice things about using benzoyl peroxide is that it can be coupled with other acne treatments.

Another popular method of acne control is exfoliating. Simply put, it is a process that removes dead skin cells from your skin's surface. It is these dead cells that can clog the pores of the skin and cause acne. The result of exfoliating is skin that is much softer, smoother, and healthy looking. Just as a word of caution: the compounds in exfoliating agents can be quite harsh, and therefore it is wise to test a new product on a small area of your skin before using it on your entire face, just in case there is a negative reaction.

Some products for acne control have a double purpose. Exfoliating products not only remove the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, but they also offer the benefits of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory products. Both of these ingredients can help to treat the existing acne and reduce the redness and swelling that often accompanies an acne attack.

Other common ingredients found in products to treat acne are sulfur and azelaic acid. One ingredient to be cautious of using on the face is salicylic acid. While this ingredient can help to prevent the pores from clogging, it is very irritating to the tender skin on the face.

For very persistent or severe acne a consultation with a dermatologist may be needed. The dermatologist can help set up an effective cleansing routine. He or she may also use lasers or write a prescription to fight tougher cases of acne. Acne medications can be very harsh, and you should be made aware of any possible side effects by your doctor.

If the idea of prescribed treatments from a dermatologist concern you, give the over-the-counter products a try. They are readily available, less expensive, and just might work for you. Since these products are applied externally, you will also avoid ingesting any acne medications and suffer the possible side effects that they can cause.