How To Get Rid of Acne

So the question is, which over the counter acne treatment is for you?

In part 1 of this article we looked at two active ingredients commonly found in most over the counter acne treatments: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. We learned how both of these substances work on your skin. Now lets look at two more active ingredients:

Resorcinol: This substance is distilled from Brazilwood extract. (Brazilwood trees are listed as endangered species and are nearly extinct in their original range.) So why are we still using them for their extract? Just something to think about.

Resorcinol has been used as a topical antiseptic and disinfectant for some time now. Over the counter acne treatments are usually 2% resorcinol, but higher percentages of resorcinol are found in some prescription acne treatments. It is also in some medicated soaps.

Alcohol and acetone: Both of these substances are astringents (they dry up your skin); they also are antibacterial. They work by removing excess oil and sebum from the skin surface, helping to unclog pores and reducing the bacterial count.

This leads to less infection of pores because there are less of them that become clogged, (the clogging of pores is what leads to infection). So this all results in clearer skin. The thing to remember is to not dry your skin out by using too often. Using an astringent morning and evening should be enough.

Which product should you use? Start with a Salicylic acid product combined with an Astringent to maintain skin that isnt excessively oily, both will work to reduce the bacterial count on the skin surface. Try this. See how it works for you. You may not need stronger treatment.

If your acne persists and you think you may need more serious treatment, try a benzoyl peroxide cream; also combine it with an astringent. (But be careful not to over-apply either of the two.) This should help clear any remaining acne you still have.

In treating acne, it takes good skin cleansing habits and time, to clear up your skin--theres no shortcut. But each morning you wash and treat your skin, youll get closer to the day when you look in the mirror and realize your acne is gone.