Anyone who has suffered from acne will admit to it being a difficult period of their life. While there are of course much worse afflictions one could be struck down with but it doesn’t make it any easier. Nowadays of course there are many acne treatment products available from your dermatologist, doctor or from your local drug store.
You are probably already aware of several acne treatment products thanks to TV commercials and although these ads are targeting the teenage market, adult acne sufferers have also had some success with them.
There are two very common ingredients in acne treatment products; one is benzoyl peroxide and the other is salicylic acid. Obviously just the names alone should give one a clue as to how potent they can be; any type of peroxide or acid applied to the face is going to do something. These ingredients are available in very low potencies in most acne treatment products and so they are usually very safe to use, if the instructions are followed carefully.
Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria in pimples and works as a cleansing agent. It also seems to work as a drying agent and peels away the skin slightly. This seems to help keep new breakouts from happening. Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in acne treatment products and works by now allowing skin cells to clog up into enlarged pores or hair follicles; if they are not clogged there will be no breakouts.
Be aware that other ingredients in common acne treatment products can actually be so strong that they can and will damage your skin, even the areas where acne develops. For example, sulfur can still be found in some products includes washes and soaps. Sulfur is very harsh on the skin and typically causes redness, dryness, peeling, and even cracking. Some believe that it is so harsh that it may even cause more breakouts because the skin gets so irritated it overcompensates by producing more oil than it was before.
This is true of most acne treatment products when the recommended usage is not followed to the letter. You should be particularly careful in reading the instructions for any over the counter treatments you purchase, looking for any warnings.
It is always best to get acne treatment products from a doctor or dermatologist who can explain in detail to you just what the side effects and risks are if you don’t follow their instructions. A dermatologist should always be seen for severe cases anyway as they will prescribe a full skincare regimen to keep your skin cleansed and moisturized during the use of acne treatment.
This is to prevent peeling and dryness around the effected areas which can sometimes look worse than the acne!
Always be sure you have understood the Doctor’s or Dermatologist’s instructions and as with over the counter drug store products be very careful in following them because if you don’t, there is a good chance they won’t work, or worse, cause a bad reaction.
