The psychological harm acne or Zits causes it's many sufferers should not be underestimated; but that doesn't mean it's something that cannot be tackled. This is a skin complaint that affects many people around the world so scientific research to find a cure is fierce; the result of this effort is new, more effective, treatments are becoming available. Acne skin care products all fall into one of three main categories:

Over-the-counter: Preventative

Over-the-counter

Prescription: Dermatologist or Doctor, specialist cream or ointment

The class of skin care products designed to fight acne and also used as a preventative measure include make-up removers, cleansers and other like-minded products. These products are used everyday by a lot of people whether they suffer from acne or not.

Other acne skin care products like skin cleansers are more specific about their job, they ensure the facial pores (and other areas) remain free of oil. Excess oil needs to be stopped from clogging the pores as this oil make it easier for bacteria to grow, exacerbating the condition.

General skin care treatments also include special exfoliation products like skin peels. Dead skin cells and other atmospheric pollutants are removed cleaning the pores which reduce the chance of any bacterial growth.

There are specialized acne skin care products available over-the-counter, they do not require the need of a prescription. Skin care products have been formulated to extract the excess oil that bacteria need to promote the development of acne. These products have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as ingredients which the bacterium reacts badly too.

Generally it is best to start using this type of product with only a small amount of benzoyl peroxide; in fact no more than 5.5 percent is recommended just to see how the skin reacts. There are alternatives to this including products which contain alpha hydroxy acid. It is not always possible to find an acne skin care product that works first time. You may need to try a few but if none of them seem to be working then you would be advised to contact your skin specialist.

Only doctors or skin care specialists can prescribe some medications, including the use of antibiotics and certain ointments. Your dermatologist may suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules. Never try to squeeze your zits as it can lead to permanent damage of your skin.

Summary

Your doctor may even suggest a course of hormone therapy as a skin care treatment. Hormone changes are sometimes responsible for acne and can be very effective when used under prescription. With all the treatments available, tackling acne is not that difficult as there are many new products available to help.