Everyone will have some form of acne at some point in his or her life. Skin blemishes consist of more than just pimples and affect everyone. Acne affects nearly all teenagers and over seventeen million adults have been affected by acne. What causes the skin to break out? Well one thing that is common in middle-aged woman and young teenagers is hormones.

Hormonal changes in the body will cause acne resulting from clogged pores. When the body produces oils and congregates dirt, the pores in the face or other body parts begin to clog. This is mainly because the oil will cause dirt to stick to your pores. You will also find that stress, cosmetics, and medications will also cause acne to form.

When it comes to acne medicine, you have to be careful. Some acne medicine contains harsh ingredients that will make your skin look and feel even worse. It is best that your doctor finds out if you're allergic to anything before you take some of the acne medicines that are offered today.

If you are prescribed an oral acne medicine, you may be prescribed Accutane (Isotretinoin) or antibiotics like Tetracycline, Minocycline, Erthromycin, and Doxycycline. Accutane is for severe acne from oil production. Accutane will in fact make sure that your body doesn't produce so much oil. Because this particular acne medicine stops the body from producing as much oil, you will have side effects like dry skin, lips and the inner parts of your mouth and nose.

You will also be sensitive to sunlight, have abnormal menstrual cycles, depression, inflamed bowels or gums, and can cause severe birth defects. As for the other five acne medicines that were listed above, you will have the side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, sun sensitivity; yeast infections, allergic reactions, and long-time use will cause your body to become immune from the acne medicine. Their main purpose is just to kill bacteria because they are an antibiotic acne medication. If you don't want to take your medicine orally, you can use a cream or salve.

Acne medicine that comes in the form of a cream is to kill bacteria and unclog your pores. Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Clindamycin, and Benzoyl acne medicines are used to kill bacteria. The side effects of them include, allergic reactions, short-term effectiveness, clothing stains, skin irritation, dry skin, redness, stinging, or sensitivity to sunlight.

Mild Fruit acids like Salicylic or Glycolic acid will open your pores and is known as a natural acne medicine. As for Retinoids, they are creams that contain Vitamin A and will help clear your pores. This acne medicine will irritate skin, dry skin, discolor skin, and increase sun sensitivity. Remember that whatever acne medicine you take, that you are supervised by a professional dermatologist and not just a practicing MD.