Today there is no shortage of acne treatment options. People talk about their mode of treatment being oral or topical and you might not know what they are talking about. there are two basic options in acne treatment – either oral or with topical medications – which both can help you to cope with your acne better. Essentially, all acne treatment would fall under two broad classifications – the oral medication, pills and capsules which you consume and the topical medication, which involves, creams, lotions, and gels which your doctor might prescribe either in conjunction with your oral therapy or by itself.

So, what do these oral medications contain and how do they help in the management of acne? Usually all acne treatments, which is through the oral route, would essentially be antibiotics and vitamin supplements. On the other hand, topical treatments for acne, which you apply on the affected areas, are in the form of gels, lotions or creams that contain antibiotics or herbal ingredients. What is the mode of action of these treatment groups?

Oral antibiotics work up to the sebaceous glands and destroy the bacteria, which cause the acne eruptions. Many antibiotic pills contain several other chemical ingredients which work to remove all clogs which block the skin pores. Usually acne treatment with oral antibiotics takes a long time. Ask your

Topical medication for acne treatment usually contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide – two most common ingredients in any anti-acne product. These reduce chances of excessive oil production by the skin and keep the skin pores clean and rejuvenated. However, common side effects of topical therapy include irritation, inflammation and peeling of the skin accompanied by excessive dryness. These side effects are specifically common with people who have highly sensitive skin.

While these two are most common categories of acne treatment, you need to be careful, as all treatments and products may not suit your skin. Search for products which are hypoallergenic, especially if you are allergenic to any of the ingredients. Ultimately the best option is to consult your doctor who can advise you a safe therapy option, which would,  suit your particular health condition. Self-medication is not recommended especially when you are buying products from the shelf and trying out for the first time. Even if the product has been found suitable by a close friend, it is best to know first, whether it would suit you or not! Be it oral or topical.