If you have acne and you want to get rid of the lesions and blemishes, it will be best if you wash your face regularly and avoid going to places with too much dirt and smoke. You should also watch your diet. However, if simple skin care tips don't work and you want to be acne-free in just a short period of time, it is best to get acne treatment products right away. Fortunately there are many acne treatment products that can be bought from pharmacies and derm clinics without the need for a doctor's prescription.



There are also many over the counter acne treatment products that are sold over the internet. If you are one of those who are on the lookout for an effective acne treatment however, it will be best if you first examine the product based on its ingredients.

What causes acne?

Your sebaceous glands secrete “sebum”, the body oil that moisturizes your skin. If your body produces excessive amount of sebum, this can plug up your pores and hair follicles. When this happens, the follicle wall may burst. This can cause more oil to get stuck on your pores. As oil accumulates, skin bacteria will also build up. More oil and bacteria will infect your skin and cause inflammations and lesions. These skin imperfections lead to an acne breakout.

How most over the counter products work?

When you use over the counter acne products, the acne-producing bacterium known as “Propionibacterium acnes” or simply “P. acnes” is targeted by the powerful cleansing ingredients of the product. Aside from killing the acne producing bacteria, some acne treatment products get rid of pimples by regulating the productions of enzymes and removing the excess oils in the skin. Others just speed up skin cell growth. According to experts however, the best solutions come from products that perform all of these functions.

Ingredients and efficiency

By looking at the ingredients of acne treatment products, you will be able to tell how the medication will work against your acne. Below are some of the most common ingredients used in acne treatment.

Benzoyl peroxide: This is probably the most efficient ingredient in the treatment mix. This chemical solution kills acne-producing bacteria and it also helps the body minimize oil-production. Moreover, it also hastens the process of removing dead skin cells. However, if used excessively, this can have adverse effects on the skin. It can cause dry skin, redness, and swelling. It also increases the body's sensitivity to UV rays.

Salicylic acid: This acne treatment ingredient works by slowing down cell process in the hair follicles. By preventing rapid skin cell deterioration, the chemical also prevents the pores from clogging up. In correct concentration, salicylic acid also cleans up the clogged pores. However, this chemical may cause skin irritations like mild stinging and itchiness. Most acne products have 0.5 to 2 percent of salicylic acid.

Sulfur and resorcinol: These components come as a pair in most acne products. They function much like the salicylic acid. They remove the dead cells in the skin and reduce the body's oil production levels. According to some experts, these chemicals can also break down blackheads and whiteheads. However, just like other chemicals, excessive amounts of these chemicals may cause peeling and redness especially for those who have sensitive skin.