Choosing the Best Over the Counter Acne Treatment

At some time or another in their lives, most people have to deal with an unsightly outbreak of acne and find themselves searching for an effective over the counter acne skin products.

Acne is a skin condition that is caused by clogged pores, resulting in whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, blemishes and cysts all of which can be annoying, irritating and even embarrassing to people especially since most outbreaks occur on the face.

Some of the most common over the counter acne treatments are topical antibiotics, or bactericides, such benzoyl peroxide which is a common ingredient in many of the most popular remedies that can be found at your local drug store. The main benefit of substances such as benzoyl peroxide is that they help to fight the bacteria that adds to the condition and often causes further outbreaks.

Celebrities endorse one over the counter acne treatment called Proactiv acne treatment, which is a daily skin care system that in made up of three products that are designed to work together to treat acne and to prevent further outbreaks. However, Proactiv is not available in stores, but can only be purchased from the company directly from TV ads or the internet, and it is considered to be an over the counter remedy because a doctor’s prescription is not needed.

Exfoliating the skin, gently, can also help you take control of your acne. This can easily be done by using a cloth with warm water and a mild soap, or using an exfoliating skin care product. Common chemical exfoliating ingredients are salicylic acid and glycolic acid and these are also found in a number of over the counter acne remedies. Both of these substances will assist in the top layer of skin peeling away, which removes the dead skin cells on the surface and helps prevent a build up of dead cells.

Many common products designed for face washing also contain salicylic acid and in addition to exfoliating, it also helps to soften the skin and give it a more radiant look.

Another ingredient often found in over the counter acne remedies is sulfur which, in small doses, can be soothing to the skin as it cleanses and it also helps to control bacteria.

Good hygiene practices and a good diet can also be beneficial in combating acne. While there doesn’t seem to be definitive science that connects diet to acne, a healthy diet will help your body have the strong defenses it needs to be able to fight off infection from the bacteria associated with acne, and to be able to effectively repair damaged skin and tissues.

There is such a huge selection of OTC acne solutions on store shelves, so pinpointing the right over the counter acne treatment for you will likely take some trial and error and some patience as well. While trying different products, it is always a good idea to be sure you take the proper steps in hygiene on a daily basis, and add more healthy foods to your diet which can only help your body fight any disease, included the skin disease called acne.