Is the Over The Counter Acne Medicine Too Strong?

Over the counter acne medication is to strong for some skin types.
I felt a need to write this article to warn people of what my daughter suffered through by buying acne medications over the counter.
First of all let's be honest, there are many varieties of acne treatments on the market but not all of them do what they claim to do.
Some of the products do absolutely nothing. When my daughter first started to develop pimples I assumed that if we started to use a simple face wash and topical cream that it would stop more from developing. Did it work? No. Not only did the pimples continue to develop but it appeared as though the face wash was a complete waste of time of money as they were also getting worse.
My daughter was starting to feel self conscious and I could see that it was affecting her confidence. So I made the decision to buy a stronger cream. My reasoning being, that she was a teenager and her hormones were all over the place so a stronger cream might be needed to hit the condition head on. This was the biggest mistake of all.
The stronger creams actually made the condition worse. The pimples were red and in colour and they looked inflamed and sore.
I needed to help my daughter which is why I started doing as much research on acne as I could. We changed diets and focused on nutrition, we switched products at least 6 times and she was vigilant about her skincare. But nothing really made a difference.
I ended up taking her to the doctor and he put her on tablets. The tablets did stop it from getting worse but it did not give her the clear skin that she desired.
Use all products with caution as often they do not do what they promise. Find what works for you and stick to it.

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Over the Counter Acne Treatment - Choosing the Right Solution That Works

There is a plethora of over the counter acne treatment options that are specifically indicated for mild cases to moderate case of skin acne including periodic acne breakouts. With their sheer number, the obvious concern for those in desperate search for the right solution is which among these acne solutions deliver the fastest and best results.
Before you grab the first over the counter acne treatment product that you see on the store shelves, you have to make sure that you are buying the product that is best for you. However, this is not the end of the story. An effective acne treatment program must be supported by a healthy and relevant skin care and treatment regimen that will ensure that you prevent the recurrence of the skin problem.
Over the counter acne products work in various ways, depending on the active ingredient that is present in such products. For instance, there are certain acne products that directly act on Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes. This is the microorganism that is directly associated with acne inflammation. On the other hand, there is a certain type of over the counter acne treatment product that eliminates excess oil from our skin and promotes the growth of replacement skin cells. There are still other acne products that work by removing dead skin cells; and, finally, there is another group of acne products that combine all of these functions.
The more common active ingredients of over the counter acne treatment products include Benzoyl peroxide, Alpha hydroxyl acids, Salicylic acids and sulfur. Sulfur is normally combined with other known ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

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A Basic Guide To Over the Counter Acne Products

Acne affects millions of people in their teens and even many in adulthood. Every year, pharmaceutical companies release new acne treatments and medications. Each one claims to work better than their competitor and to stop further breakouts. Yet no medication can be one hundred percent effective at stopping acne. If your medicine cabinet is filled with dozens of acne treatment medications that don't work, you might want to consider the basics of acne care. These basic products, available over the counter, are usually forgotten and aren't as actively promoted as the commercial medications and treatments. Fortunately, they're very effective at minimizing and preventing acne breakouts.You definitely should consult a dermatologist or family physician as to what treatment is appropriate for you. Since there is a wide variety available, it can often be confusing. Here are a few of the products that you can purchase:
Facial wash or cleanser: The facial cleanser is used to reduce bacteria growth. These products are specifically designed to combat bacteria both on the surface and those hidden in the pores. At the same time, they also contain granules that help to gently exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. The two common ingredients in face cleansers are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide is a general antiseptic that kills bacteria. It is available in varying concentrations as either a facial wash, lotion, gel or cream. Salicylic acid breaks down both blackheads and whiteheads. It also helps to reduce clogging by reducing the shedding of normal skin. Like benzoyl peroxide, it is available in different concentrations and comes as a gel, lotion, or medicated pad. The most popular brand of salicylic acid is Stridex.
Exfoliator or toner: These come as either gels or creams and help remove dead skin cells from your face. By removing the dead cells, they help unclog pores and reduce excess oil. As such, these products are essential for acne control. Clogged pores are a major cause of acne breakouts. Depending on the brand, an exfoliator may be combined with a facial cleanser.
Lotion: Your final step in skin care is applying a lotion. Lotions should be oil free and are used to moisturize and rehydrate your skin. Some of these lotions may contain benzoyl peroxide that can reduce inflammation and prevent future breakouts.
No matter which acne medication your dermatologist ultimately prescribes, you can use the treatments listed above to also help reduce breakouts. Each step is important for helping you to control acne and maintain a beautiful skin. These treatments combined with a medication can often keep your skin completely clear. As always, consult a physician before starting any treatment.

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