Acne Skin Care Products And Tips

There are many types of acne skin care products available to aid in the treatment of the condition. Over the counter treatments are often topical skin creams, lotions or gels that are applied to the skin. There are also special acne washes available to cleanse the skin of excess oil. Almost everyone has had acne at one time or another in his or her life and although it is a common skin condition, it is usually mild in form.

The most important thing to do for acne is to set up and follow a skin care regime. Start with cleansing the skin. Use a special acne face wash for cleansing your face. These usually contain an astringent that will help to close the pores as well as a mild antibacterial agent to rid the skin of bacteria that is often present with acne. After washing the face gently pat dry. Do not wash your face more than twice per day. This will not help fight your acne and can cause your face to become dry and irritated.

After you wash your face you need to apply a topical acne treatment to the affected areas. Benzoyl peroxide is the most common ingredient in topical acne treatments and it works to kill any bacteria present beneath the skin's surface. Benzoyl peroxide is available in various strengths. Use the lowest strength on your face, as it can be drying and irritating. When treating acne on other parts of your body, such as your back or arms a higher strength will work better because the skin in those areas is not as delicate.

Salicylic acid is another common ingredient found in acne treatments. It helps to loosen the clogged pores and keeps them clear by preventing dead skin cells from accumulating. This is the most effective treatment for whiteheads and blackheads.

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are available in lotions and creams. The active ingredient is a fruit acid or a fruit extract that works to remove dead skin cells, thus helping to keep pores from becoming clogged. Often this ingredient is combined with others in acne preparations.

You may need to try several products before finding the one that works best for your particular acne condition. Apply the products by dabbing them onto the affected areas only then, let them soak in. Medications may take weeks to work so don't give up easily. Follow the directions on the bottle. You may be tempted to use more of the product than recommended however this can hurt your skin by causing a rash or irritation and make your skin too dry.

If your acne is severe or is not responding to treatments you may need to see a dermatologist. They can assess your acne and determine a skincare plan that is right for you. A dermatologist can prescribe stronger topical medications that can help get rid of acne. In severe cases they may prescribe an oral medication that is able to help control acne. They will often recommend two types of treatment be done together to both fight current acne as well as prevent future acne from occurring.

Painful Acne