It might be counted up there with life's many great medical mysteries. Acne has no single cause and no single cure, but it is a condition that can be treated in many. The process of knowing a treatment is necessary and actually finding one, however, can be daunting. In the meantime, those who suffer can find themselves embarrassed, ashamed and willing to try anything to conceal the condition.



Fortunately, there are a lot of different things a person who has acne can try to help lessen, control and sometimes even rid themselves of the problem entirely. These products range from basic home remedies to prescription drugs. Each has proven effective in treating the condition in some people, but remember no one "cure" works for everyone. It may take time to find just the right one for your particular case.

The types of acne products available include:

Medicated:

These products contain a chemical or other ingredients that's designed to dry up or prevent breakouts. Typical products include those with benzoyl peroxide or salycic acid. These are very effective for many acne patients, but can cause severe drying and irritation on others. These products generally are prescribed or can be found over the counter, as well. In addition, products such as antibiotics and accutane can prove useful in treating some cases. If side effects present themselves and persist, these medications often must be discontinued.

Home remedies:

These range from rose oil and lemon juice to a cumin rub. Their effectiveness will vary from case to case, but they are considered by many to be the best solution to acne. Other typical products in the natural line include Vitamin E, witch hazel and aloe vera. The purpose for these is generally the same as with the medicated products: to dry out and prevent breakouts. These too can cause irritations, so it's important to watch for the side effects.

Cosmetics:

Those don't necessarily set out to cure acne, but they are designed to cover up existing breakouts while working to prevent future ones. The best make up products are those labeled as "non-comedogenic" as they are designed not to cause blackheads and whiteheads. Remember if using medicated cosmetics to treat acne, or specialized make up to avoid future breakouts, it's important to remove make up each night to give the skin a chance to rest and breath.

As you examine the different acne fighting products available, remember no single treatment will work for everyone. It's likely to be a bit of a trial and error to find what will help in your case. Remember, acne is a little different in everyone who suffers from it and the treatments, too, vary from person to person.