For most of us that take pride in the way we look, the thought of suffering with acne, may at first glance seem to be awful; but this does NOT mean it is something that cannot be handled. It is one of those areas where research has continued to make advancements; the result of this effort is new, more effective, treatments are becoming available. There are a broad range of acne skin care products available:

* Those that help prevent the condition: Over-The-Counter and Prescription

* Over-the-counter: Treatment

* Prescription: Dermatologist or Doctor, specialist cream or ointment

Many skin care products are used as a measure to prevent acne; these include cleansers, make-up removers and other similar products that can help prevent the condition. In the real sense, these products are just those that should be part of your daily routine; often used by those who want to prevent future skin problems from occurring. Other acne skin care products, like skin cleansers for instance, are more specific about their job; they ensure the facial pores (and other areas) remain free of oil. When the pores become clogged with this oil, bacteria which can cause the problem begin to grow.

Exfoliating skin peels have proved quite effective as a skin care treatment and at controlling the problem; these are easily obtainable in any drug store. Dead skin cells and other atmospheric pollutants are removed cleaning the pores which reduce the chance of any bacterial growth. Many different, specially formulated acne skin care products designed to reduce the problems have now been made available without prescription. Most of these creams etc. are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne); they are designed to extract the excess oil that bacteria need to promote the development of acne.

Dermatologists recommend any product should have low concentrations of the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide (no more than 5.5 parts per hundred) if there is an adverse reaction; should a reaction occur, products containing alpha hydroxy acid are generally safer. It is not always possible to find an acne skin care product that works first time; if nothing you use is effective then speak to your dermatologist for advice. On-prescription treatments are prescribed by a dermatologist and can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical ointment.

In some case your doctor may suggest the pustules are drained of harmful contents under local anesthetic; although this is a minor procedure, if it were performed by the person themselves it could result in skin damage. Your doctor may even suggest a course of hormone therapy as a skin care treatment; this type of skin care treatment has been very effective in many cases. Positive research means that a sufferer does not have to put up with this condition anymore.

While a hormone therapy might have some negative side effects there are also natural acne treatments available (e.g. Acnezine). They go back to the roots of the acne problem: free radicals within your body. Those natural acne healing products provide antioxidants which eliminate those dangerous free radicals inside the body. Some of them also fight inflammation in order to reduce redness of already existing acne and - last but not least - support your skin in the healing process in all affected acne areas.