| Really, there are various acne treatment products | | | | It can also reduce the severity of new acne. |
| in the market. Getting the best desired over the | | | | 3. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) |
| counter medication will vary from a person to a | | | | AHAs are well-known for their use in the |
| person, especially when you suffer severe acne. | | | | cosmetics industry. They are often found in |
| Acne pimples can spread all over your face and | | | | products claiming to reduce wrinkles or the signs |
| this can be really annoying. Possibly, you have laid | | | | of aging, and improve the overall look and feel of |
| your hands on some acne products that did not | | | | the skin. They are also used as chemical peels |
| give you desired result. Treating acne can be a | | | | available in a dermatologist office, beauty and |
| daunting task. However, not to worry, there is | | | | health spas and home kits, which usually contain a |
| reliable over the counter acne treatment that will | | | | lower concentration. AHAs are typically derived |
| clear your acne and leave you spot free. In other | | | | from food products including glycolic acid (from |
| words, this content is like acne treatment | | | | sugar cane), lactic acid (from sour milk), malic acid |
| reviews. As you read on, you will discover tested | | | | (from apples), citric acid (from citrus fruits) and |
| and best three (3) over the counter acne | | | | tartaric acid (from grape wine). Although their |
| treatment that will get rid of your acne problem. | | | | effectiveness is documented, numerous cosmetic |
| We will give a short review on these products | | | | products have appeared on the market with |
| and some reliable brands you can consider. | | | | unfounded claims of performance. Many |
| 1. Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) | | | | well-known α-hydroxy acids are useful |
| Benzoyl peroxide is used as an acne treatment, | | | | building blocks in organic synthesis: the most |
| for improving flour, for bleaching hair and teeth, | | | | common and simple are glycolic acid, lactic acid, |
| for polymerizing polyester and many other uses. | | | | citric acid, mandelic acid. |
| This chemical will kill acne bacteria deep inside the | | | | In low concentrations, 5 - 10% as is found in |
| follicles, helps to loosen whiteheads and | | | | many over the counter products, glycolic acid |
| blackheads. Benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment | | | | reduces cell adhesion in the top layer of the skin. |
| is typically applied to the affected areas in gel or | | | | This action promotes exfoliation of the outermost |
| cream form, in concentrations of 2.5% increasing | | | | layer of the skin accounting for smoother texture |
| through 5%, and up to 10%. Research suggests | | | | following regular use of topical GA (glycolic acid). |
| that 5 and 10% concentrations are not | | | | This relatively low concentration of glycolic acid |
| significantly more effective than 2.5% and 2.5% is | | | | lends itself to regular use as a monotherapy or a |
| better tolerated. It commonly causes initial | | | | part of a broader skin care management for such |
| dryness and sometimes irritation, although the skin | | | | conditions as acne, photo-damage, wrinkling as |
| develops tolerance after a week or so. A small | | | | well as melasma. |
| percentage of people reacts to it and liable to | | | | Epidermal effect: AHA's have a profound effect |
| suffer burning, itching, peeling and possibly swelling. | | | | on Organic process by which keratin is deposited |
| 2. Beta Hydroxyl Acid - BHA | | | | in cells and the cells become horny (as in nails and |
| BHA is also known as Salicylic acid willow tree, | | | | hair); which is clinically detectable by the formation |
| from the bark of which the substance is obtained | | | | of a new stratum corneum. It appears that AHAs |
| is a beta hydroxyl acid. This colorless crystalline | | | | modulate this formation through diminished cellular |
| organic acid is widely used in organic synthesis and | | | | cohesion between corneocytes at the lowest |
| functions as a plant hormone. It is probably best | | | | levels of the stratum corneum. |
| known for its use in anti-acne treatments. The | | | | Dermal effects: AHAs with greater bioavailability |
| salts and esters of salicylic acid are known as | | | | appear to have deeper effects. Glycolic acid, lactic |
| salicylates. Salicylic acid is very soft. It does not | | | | acid and citric acid, on topical application to photo |
| reach down deep into the skin follicles like benzoyl | | | | damaged skin, have been shown to produce |
| peroxide. | | | | increased amounts of mucopolysaccharides and |
| How Does Salicylic Acid Work? | | | | collagen and increased skin thickness without |
| Salicylic acid breaks down a protein (keratin) that | | | | detectable inflammation, as monitored by skin |
| holds the skin cells together. Over time, it | | | | biopsies. Acne breakout can actually occur in any |
| exfoliates old skin and allows new healthy skin to | | | | part of the body. The above three acne |
| surface. It loosens whiteheads and blackheads | | | | treatment products should give you desired result. |
| (comedones) and helps expel them. It can take up | | | | But, before you buy any product make sure to |
| to 3 months to loosen smaller whiteheads and | | | | look for the ingredients that suit your skin type |
| blackheads. It is not very effective against larger | | | | and do not jump to some miracle products that |
| ones, unlike Retin-A. Mild as it may be, this over | | | | claim to treat your acne within 2-3 days. It about |
| the counter acne treatment can help to keep | | | | your look, make a wise choice. |
| your sebaceous follicles free from dead skin cells. | | | | |