Some Of the Best OTC Acne Treatments
September 14th, 2009 | 
Author: Before spending tons of money on over the counter medicines, learn about their ingredients and what they can do for you. At the first sign of a pimple forming, treatment should start. Of course there are many natural remedies for treating pimples. If those don’t work for you, resorting to over the counter remedies is your next step. We will discuss the following ingredients commonly found in otc acne treatments and what they do for pimples.
1. Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound. This ingredient is found in many otc acne medicines. It was developed as an acne product in the 1920’s. Strengths vary from 2.5% up to 10%. Benzoyl peroxide supplies oxygen to the skin thereby not allowing acne bacteria to thrive. It is a mild drying agent so if your skin is sensitive, stay with the milder strength. Using benzoyl peroxide in an antiseptic decreases inflammation on the surface of the skin.
2. Salicylic Acid. Salicylic acid is an beta hydroxy acid and is a key ingredient for many acne products. It helps pores from clogging up by causing skin cells to shed more rapidly. It is an exfoliant and is especially helpful in the treatment of acne because of its ability to penetrate the follicle. This in turn reduces the number pore blockages and blemish breakouts. Typically, otc medicines containing salicylic acid come in strengths ranging from .5% to 2%. Some side effects are dryness, peeling and flaking of the skin.
3. Sulphur. Sulphur has been used to treat skin problems for decades. Sulphur is an effective treatment of inflamed pimples. It is usually found in soaps. It is used as a topical cleansing product to dissolve comedones (whitehead or blackhead) and dry up the skin. It should be noted that it can sometimes cause too much peeling and irritate the skin.
4. Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is best known as a fruit acid or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Glycolic acid is an exfoliating agent which when placed on the skin, breaks down the “glue” that holds dead skin to the surface. Glycolic acid can be in a cream or gel and is used to remove dead, flaky skin. This results in a much smoother skin surface. The best percentage of glycolic acid to use is controversial and skin care experts highly recommend using sunscreen if you are using glycolic acid. Try to find glycolic acid products with a concentration ranging from 8 to 10%. Glycolic acid is often combined with salicylic acid. This acid is generally used on people who want to get rid of acne scarring as it resurfaces the skin.
5. Resorcinol. Resorcinol is often used in combination with sulphur. It breaks down rough, hard skin and is a harsh chemical that should not be used with astringents. Resorcinol is used to treat other skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. Some medications will contain alcohol and/or resorcinol also. It is present in over-the-counter topical acne treatments at 2% or less concentration, and in prescription treatments at higher concentrations.
6. Vitamins and minerals. Both oral and topical acne treatment drugs often contain vitamins or minerals. Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E, folic acid, beta-carotene, copper, zinc and selenium are working tools in the body. They may build up immunities and help in the regeneration from damages caused by acne. In addition, many of these substances are anti-oxidants that protect the skin against damages. Vitamin E and A also help to reduce inflammation. Zinc seems to be the most effective mineral for acne treatment.
These are the most common ingredients used in over the counter medicines in the fight against acne.
Posted in Some Of The Best OTC Acne Treatments | 
Tags: acid, astringents, benzoyl peroxide, blackheads, blemishes, flaky skin, hydroxatone, salicylic
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