So you know you need to treat your acne, but you’re unsure of where to start? You know everyone’s skin is a little different, so not everything works for every person. Some people try and treat their acne at home with natural ingredients and home-made acne remedies. Others take the opposite approach, choosing instead to see a professional dermatologist for personalized prescriptions (both oral medications and topical creams or ointments may be used).
Yet many more are somewhere in the middle: opting for effective medications in the form of over the counter acne treatment products including face washes, creams, moisturizers, spot treatments, cleansers and more. Here are some of the most popular (and, we can presume, effective) acne products on the market today.
Proactiv is one of the leading acne-fighting systems on the market for people with mild to moderate acne. The Proactiv system includes three elements: cleanser, toner, and lotion. These are designed to provide a highly balanced skin tone. The active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, but Proactiv also is intended to help enrich the skin with nutrients as well as help exfoliate. Due to its extensive marketing campaign, Proactiv is one of the most commonly used acne products of those that are most effective.
Acnezine is not marketed as heavily as Proactiv, but is equally (and some say more) effective than Proactiv. Acnezine combines benzoyl peroxide with a blend of herbs to help control blemishes, stop buildup, and balance oil production. The herbs in the treatment are said to contain antioxidants which also help keep the skin clear. Acnezine gets strong reviews from those suffering from mild to moderate acne.
Clearpores is another popular acne treatment system that, while powerful, is also available over the counter. Clearpores addresses facial acne and body acne (with 3 steps for each) by combining salicylic acid with a number of natural plant ingredients both for topical treatment and an oral supplement. This helps control the surface of the skin from both the outside and inside and is used to balance complexion and reduce breakout in acne sufferers of a variety of skin types.
Accutane is popular, but not an over the counter form of treating acne. It is designed as an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce oil and breakout. However, it is also associated with a wide range of side effects (which is a large part of why it is available by prescription only). Accutane is popular among some but does receive mixed reviews.
Topical Drug Store Brands are also very popular, perhaps the most of which include Biore, Clean and Clear, Clinique, and pHisoderm.
