This article will provide information on several different over the counter and prescription solution for acne, including how they work and any side effects that they may have. So the answer to this question depends on how severe your acne is, and whether it’s an on-going problem. A certain solution for acne may work for one person, but not another.
Over the Counter Solution for Acne
Benzoyl peroxide
- One very widely-used over the counter solution for acne is products that contain benzoyl peroxide. These products are sold with names like Proactiv, Benzaderm gel, Glytone 10% Benzoyl peroxide Acne Treatment Gel, MD Formulations Benzoyl Peroxide 10, as well as other names. Benzoyl peroxide works by eliminating the cause of the skin breakouts; the propionibacteria acnes, or P. Acnes bacterium. Benzoyl peroxide also helps unblock the pores and reduces skin redness. Many over the counter products have as little as 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to as much as 10% benzoyl peroxide – the strength you choose depends on the severity of your acne.
Sulfur and Resorcinol
- These two products work in conjunction with each other. Resorcinol helps get rid of dead skin cells; no one is sure what exactly sulfur does, although its use has worked well as an acne treatment for a long time. These two mentioned ingredients join forces to reduce the amount of extra oil on your skin. Resorcinol is usually used in 2% strength, and sulfur can be used from 5-8%, depending on the product. Sulfur and resorcinol are found in over the counter acne treatments like Clearasil Medicated Blemish Cream and Glytone Flesh Tinted Acne Treatment Lotion.
Salicylic acid
- This powerful solution for acne helps the skin improves any unusual flaking of skin cells so that the skin can remove dead skin cells easier. This cuts down the amount of blocked pores, so the skin won’t break out as easily. If you have blackheads or whiteheads, salicylic acid is extremely effective at getting rid of them. Many over the counter products contain salicylic acid in strengths from 0.5% to max 2%. Many Oxy products contain salicylic acid; in addition, Noxzema Anti-Acne Gel and Pads, Stridex, and Dermalogica Medicated Clearing Gel also contain salicylic acid.
Alcohol and acetone
- These two ingredients are used in conjunction with one another. If you have acne problems caused by oily skin, you may have used products that contain these ingredients. Alcohol decreases the amount of bacteria responsible for the acne problems, and acetone gets extra oil found on the skin so more acne won’t develop. In combination, they help rid the skin of extra oil; this helps cut down on the number of blocked pores, and as a result also cuts down the number of pimples. Products that contain these 2 mentioned ingredients include Tyrosum Liquid Skin Cleanser, and Glytone Acne Treatment Toner.
Prescription Solution for Acne
Retinoid Creams
- These medications are produced from man-made vitamin A; vitamin A is one of the vitamins responsible for helping skin grow, so it’s no surprise that these creams are made from it. Retinoid creams help keep pores from getting blocked by removing dead skin cells. If your dermatologist determines you need a retinoid cream, he may give you a prescription for adalapene (better known as Differin), tretinoin (better known as Retin-A) or tazarotene (better known as Avage or Tazorac).
Antibiotic creams
- These are a great solution for acne because they prevent bacteria from growing. They cut down the amount of blocked pores and, depending on what type of cream you use; they can also help cut down the amount of redness. They include clindamycin, erythromycin, and sodium sulfacetamide.
Oral Acne Medications
– Oral antibiotics are another common solution for acne. The function of oral antibiotics is to decrease the amount of P. acnes bacteria in your skin. They include erythromycin, doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline, and clindamycin. When oral antibiotics are first prescribed for acne, doctors usually begin by prescribing a higher dose, and then once acne starts to improve, they will decrease the dose. As with many oral medications, antibiotics can have side effects; side effects can include problems with stomach upset, and you may see a change in the color of your skin or teeth with others. Women may also have problems with yeast infections. One thing that oral acne medications do NOT do however is prevent birth control pills from working properly.
Topical Combination Therapy
– Topical combination therapies are an excellent solution for acne because they contain two types of medication. These medications are applied directly to the skin, and they use antibiotics and other medications that fight acne. Common combination therapies include Benzamycin, which combines benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin; BenzaClin and Duac are combination therapies that have benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin in them. Ziania is a combination of tretinoin and clindamycin, and Sulfacet-R is a combination of sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur. So Topical combination therapies are an excellent solution for acne.