Acne Medications That Are Over The Counter

Acne Medications that are Over-The-Counter

Many over-the-counter acne medicines on the market are designed to treat acne. Some are formulated for specific purposes, while others are meant to treat acne's general symptoms.

Here, we will discuss some of the basic products that are sold over the counter and that can help control and fight acne. If you try over the counter products and they don't help, consult your physician for more advice.

The first line of defense in fighting acne is plain soap and water, or another cleanser if soap is not right for your skin type. Depending on what your skin type is, how sensitive it is, and what allergies you might have, you should choose your soap or cleanser carefully so that it does not cause irritation.

Washing your face gently two or three times a day removes excess oils that can build up and clog pores, which in turn causes pimples to appear. Don't wash too often, and don't scrub too vigorously, as this could irritate your skin. It can in fact even make acne worse, because it will cause it to spread. However, if you wash it gently and often, you can help control breakouts.

Benzoyl peroxide is a common over-the-counter remedy included in many acne medications. It's recommended by physicians to treat mild forms of acne. It was also one of the first products on the market that was proven effective in treating acne.

It works by killing bacteria and stopping excess oil that can clog pores and hair follicles. It usually is included in various lotions or creams specifically formulated to fight acne.

Salicylic acid is also used in many over-the-counter acne medicines, cleansers and treatments. When it's applied to the skin, it helps with gentle exfoliation and also helps unclog pores and prevent pimples. It is gentler than benzoyl peroxide and is often recommended for sensitive skin.

However, salicylic acid does not stop oil production and must be used regularly to keep pimples at bay.

Sulfur is also found in many over-the-counter acne medicines. Along with other products, it helps fight acne. However, it has a strong and rather unpleasant odor, which makes it inconvenient to use by itself in many acne medicines. When combined with other ingredients, its odor can be masked so that its beneficial characteristics can be taken advantage of to fight acne.

There are also natural herbal products that can be used to help treat acne. Most of these products have not been tested clinically to determine whether or not they are effective. Even so, some people find them very effective, and they continue to become more popular.

Many over-the-counter acne medicines exist that will help you treat, heal and eventually prevent your acne. Different products work for different skin types, so you may need to test several to see what works best for you. Effects will be different for everyone and in some cases, you may find that one particular product does not work for you or is particularly irritating while another works fine. Find what works for you and then keep using it. This should help keep your acne in control.