Acne Cream

Acne cream treatments containing azelaic acid or benzoyl peroxide will usually be sufficient for mild to moderate acne. These medications help prevent the blocking of the openings of the sebaceous glands and slow the growth of the acne bacterium.

The doctor may prescribe adapalene (Differin) for people with blackheads, whiteheads and mild inflammatory acne. Women should only use adapalene if they are using effective contraception, such as contraceptive pills. Pregnant women must not use adapalene. Topical tretinoin (Retin-A) and isotretinoin (Isotrex gel) have similar uses and exclusions.

Alternatively, the doctor may choose to prescribe a product that combines benzoyl peroxide with a topical antibiotic such as erythromycin (Benzamycin gel), or clindamycin (Duac once daily gel), or treat the outbreak with a topical antibiotic alone, eg clindamycin (Dalacin T), erythromycin (Eryacne gel), tetracycline (Topicycline).

Acetone and Alcohol

Contained as a cobo treatment in some over-the-counter medications used to treat acne, acetone works as a degreasing agent and alcohol has mild antimicrobial properties. When used alone, acetone tends to have little or no effect at all.

Benzoyl Peroxide

The main ingredient of most over-the-counter acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide works to clear up acne by reducing the surface of spots and removing dead cells from the skin to prevent comedones. It was one of the first agents found to be effective in treating mild acne and has been used in acne treatment for decades. Use of benzoyl peroxide should be continued after acne clears to prevent new lesions and acnefrom forming. The principal side effect is excessive dryness of the skin, so be carefull to follow directions and not use more than stated unless otherwise instructed by a doctor or dermatologist. Care should also be taken when applying it to avoid the bleaching effect. Benzoyl peroxide has been known to bleach hair, sheets, towels and clothing. Old clothes should be worn as a precaution when applying this form of treatment. Benzoyl peroxide is available over-the-counter in gel or lotion form.

Herbal, organic and natural products

Over-the-counter products labeled natural, organic or herbal are marketed as acne treatments but their effectiveness has rarely been tested or proven in clinical trials. The value of such treatments is generally unknown but have particularly appeal as the world and people try to become more environmentally friendly.

Resorcinol
A popular ingredient in over-the-counter acne medications, resorcinol controls small acne lesions and is frequently combined with sulfur in products found in drug stores.

Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is found in many over-the-counter acne products, including lotions, creams and sometimes pads. It may prove irritating to the skin. Salicylic acid is effective in treating non-inflammatory acne lesions. Salicylic acid does not have any effect on sebum production. Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid must be used continuously. Once treatment has stopped, pores re-clog and the dreaded acne returns.

Sulfur

Sulfur has been used throught the history of acne treatment with other agents, such as alcohol, salicylic acid and resorcinol and is found in many over-the-counter acne medicines. Although this form of treatment has been used for decades, it is not known how sulfur works to clear acne exactly. Due to its unpleasant odor, sulfur is not frequently used alone as an acne treatment, instead, it is combined with other acne creams and ingredients.

See our best acne treatment reviews for guided information about the treatment of acne.