| Over the counter acne treatment products | | | | Alpha Hydroxy Acids work best for all types of |
| typically include acne or spot treatments, | | | | skin, as a mild or strong cleanser, and for healing |
| cleansers and washes, moisturizers, lotions, pads | | | | and preventing acne. |
| and wipes, masks and strips, shaving creams, and | | | | AHAs are natural acids which come from fruits, |
| toners and astringents. | | | | milk sugars, and plants. Glycolic and lactic acids are |
| So how do you know what over the counter | | | | the most frequently used in over the counter |
| acne treatment you should use? Here's some | | | | acne treatment products, and are the most well |
| simple, yet powerful information that most folks | | | | researched AHAs to date. |
| unfortunately don't take the time to find out. | | | | AHA's gently peel away the uppermost layer of |
| Benzoyl Peroxide the Bacteria Slayer | | | | dead skin cells. They make way for the newer |
| Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) in over the counter acne | | | | skin beneath. |
| treatment products: | | | | Look for a product with a glycolic acid |
| -works best for moderate to moderately severe | | | | concentration between 8 and 10% and no other |
| acne, | | | | active ingredients. You should see results in the |
| -deeply penetrates into the skin to kill tough | | | | texture of your skin within a few weeks. |
| bacteria, | | | | Side effects include more susceptibility to sunlight |
| -is best used preventatively, | | | | and minor skin irritation or blisters and burns. |
| -dries and exfoliating the skin, | | | | Fewer AHA products have FDA approval. |
| -works faster than prescription antibiotics, and | | | | Retinol |
| -doesn't allow bacteria to build resistance like | | | | Retinol is the chemical name for vitamin A - which |
| prescription antibiotics. | | | | is the active ingredient in the prescription drug |
| However, BP is a very harsh chemical. It causes | | | | Retin-A, the favored topical prescription acne |
| redness, dryness, and scaling. BP can also lighten | | | | treatment. |
| fabric colors. | | | | Retinol works best in high concentrations and |
| You can find a cheap tube of BP in any drugstore | | | | when packaged stably. It hasn't really proven its |
| at 2.5% which will work wonders over a few | | | | effectiveness for acne. |
| weeks time. | | | | Sulfur and Resorcinol |
| Salicylic Acid - the Surface Slougher | | | | Basically, sulfur kills acne bacteria. Resorcinol helps |
| Salicylic Acid or "beta hydroxyl acid" (BHA) works | | | | shed the outer layer of skin, and increases the |
| best for mild acne and sensitive skin, as a | | | | effect of sulfur. However, experts aren't entirely |
| cleanser ingredient to slough surface skin cells, and | | | | sure how it works in combination with sulfur. |
| as an agent that prepares the skin for other acne | | | | Resorcinol alone is not an effective acne |
| treatments. It breaks down a protein that holds | | | | treatment. It can be very irritating to some |
| the skin cells together. Over time, it exfoliates old | | | | patients. For those who can't use BP or Retin-A, |
| skin and allows new healthy skin to surface. It | | | | sulfur may be a good alternative. |
| loosens whiteheads and blackheads and helps | | | | The side effects are minor: dryness and |
| expel them. | | | | unpleasant odour. It's not recommended for |
| Salicylic acid is fairly mild. It does not reach down | | | | pregnant women unless their doctor prescribes |
| deep into the skin follicles like benzoyl peroxide. It | | | | resorcinol. There are no major known adverse |
| can take up to 3 months to loosen smaller | | | | effects in resorcinol's combination with sulfur. |
| whiteheads and blackheads. | | | | Everyone is different |
| However salicylic acid works well if you use it | | | | For maximum effectiveness, find a cleanser |
| over a consistent and long period of time. | | | | containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid, a leave-on |
| Some side effects of salicylic acid include some | | | | benzoyl product, and a moisturizer you wear |
| skin peeling, dryness, and irritation when used at | | | | overtop. |
| concentrations of 2% or greater. Possible adverse | | | | As a general rule of thumb, OTC drugs should |
| effects include salicylate toxicity, toxic inner ear | | | | work within 6 to 8 weeks. If they don't work |
| damage, and hypersensitivity. Also risk of | | | | within 10 weeks and even promote breakouts, |
| increases in skin sensitivity to sunlight. | | | | see a dermatologist. |
| Look for an over the counter acne treatment | | | | Now you have enough knowledge to look for |
| cleanser with concentrations of 2% salicylic acid, in | | | | effective skin products, as well as how to use |
| an acid base with a pH of between 3 and 4. | | | | them to use them the right way. |
| Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) | | | | |