Are Acne Creams Effective
There are many topical over-the-counter treatments available to help clear up acne. The goal of acne cream is to clear up any acne that you already have while also preventing any new acne from occurring. Acne cream is the first way to try to treat mild acne and generally will help most people get rid of their bout with it.
Acne creams work by doing three things. They control the amount of oil on the skin surface, they help to reduce the amount of skin cells that are shed and they kill bacteria that can contribute to new acne. There are a great number of products geared towards clearing acne. It may take some trial and error to figure out which product works best for your particular case. Sometime you may need to use a combination of products to reduce your acne and keep from getting more.
Antibacterial products contain substances that kill germs and bacteria, which can contribute to acne. These products can be quite effective, however they can also be very drying to the skin. Be sure to use these products only on the affected areas to avoid drying out unaffected areas of your skin.
Benzoyl peroxide is probably the most common over the counter treatment for mild acne. It works by killing the bacteria associated with acne and is most effective on actual pimples, not blackheads or whiteheads. It is available in different strengths depending on the severity of your acne breakout. It is advised to use weaker solutions on the face where skin is more delicate and stronger solutions on other places such as the back and shoulders. Benzoyl peroxide needs to be used regularly to see results. Because it does not address the production of oil in the skin once you discontinue use the acne generally will return.
Salicylic acid is a major ingredient in many acne creams. It helps get rid of acne by loosening the clogged pores to prevent acne from forming. It also helps to decrease the amount of dead skin cell shedding that occurs in the affected areas. This ingredient is most effective on whiteheads and blackheads because these types of pimples form by excess dead skin cells. It does not kill bacteria however and so may not work as well for larger pimples. The product also does not affect oil secretion so once you stop using it your acne may return.
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are found in many acne creams. This ingredient is also known as beta-hydroxy and fruit acids. These are natural acids that are normally found in fruit, sugarcane or milk. They work by helping to remove dead skin cells that can clog the pores causing acne. They do not kill bacteria by themselves however they are often combined with products that do. Some people may find a slight irritation after using these products. If you have any adverse reaction discontinue use.
Remember that whatever acne cream product you choose you may not see any results for several weeks or more. Have patience before trying a new product. Be sure to follow the directions on the package and don't use the product more often than recommended.
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