Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and sulfur (which are both natural), and resorcinal are the most common of these medications. Each of these medicines works in very different ways, and are focused toward different types of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the most common adult acne medicines on the market today. Benzoyl peroxide works best upon the type of acne known as Propionibacterium acnes, or P.acnes, the most familiar type of acne where bacteria inflames follicle areas creating the all-too familiar pimple symptoms. Natural adult acne medications such as tea tree oil, green tea extract, and olive leaf abstract work here, as the primary activity of these medications is antimicrobial. Since P. acnes is caused by bacteria, prevention of the bacteria protects against further acne symptoms.

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Salicylic acid, which has widely replaced the pungent sulfur as a keratolyic agent to create new skins cells, is widely found in most body washes. It is also a natural extract, found in the bark of willow trees. I suppose it's fair to say that weeping willows do not weep for their acne troubles. In addition to promoting good skin health, it is a safe way of helping reduce or eliminate adult acne that reduces chances for scarring, by the mechanism by which it works.

Of course, these types of medication are for mild acne. Adult acne prescription medication can of course be far more effective, if it is needed. For adult acne medication, physicians may prescribe some form of retinoid. A retinoid medication is a regulator of epithelial cell growth...that is, cells on the outside of the body. Since a topical retinoid will generally result in a lot of new skin, it's frequently used (and misused) as a wrinkle reducer, which can certainly be dangerous. As side effects such as permanent dryness and peeling can occur, this is a medication that is best left to adults. Used properly, however, retinoids can help one get control over their skin with relative ease. Retin-A is the most commonly prescribed of retinoids.

A more serious topical adult acne medication is tazarotene, commonly known as Tazorac. Tazorac is a retinoid sold in concentrations of .05% and .1%, similar to Retin-A. While tazarotene is an effective topical medication, it has side effects very similar to the side effects caused by Retin-A, only more severe. Extreme cases can include extreme drying and cracking of the skin, and can be extremely toxic to children in high doses. You're not giving this to your children in high doses, though, right?

Most topical retinoids take 3 months or so to be most effective.

Isotretinoin (best known as Accutane) is often used for the medical treatment of severe acne, and is the only adult acne drug that can truly be considered a "cure." As a medication for adult acne, it requires great consideration before use. If there is any chance of pregnancy, use of medications such as isotretinoin and tazarotene are strongly discouraged, as birth defects are virtually guaranteed. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Evaluation and Research division has warned that isotretinoins such as Accutane may cause depression, psychosis, and even suicidal thoughts. If you do exhibit systems of depression, using another adult acne remedy is strongly encouraged. Other isotretinoins are Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret, and Roaccutane. Topical isotretinoins also exist as Isotrex or Isotrexin. Initial doses of Accutane will aggravate the skin greatly, and extreme skin sensitivity and peeling are likely. The effect can be likened to one's face "melting," and this is an important consideration to any adult, particularly to those working in public sectors.

These oral medications DO work on adult acne, however. Technically, isotretinoin actually shrinks sebaceous glands, preventing comedones from forming by stabilizing keratinization. What this means for the acne sufferer is the mere chance for acne to develop becomes extremely remote. Since the medication is so severe, however, isotretinoin should be resorted to in cases of severe cystic acne, and only after other adult acne medications have failed. Cystic acne results in hard comedones under the skin.

Treatment of adult acne should always be done incrementally. Various skin types can have different reactions to treatments, so even a mild treatment can be a solution for severe acne. The milder the treatment, the less opportunity there are for dire side effects. If medication can be avoided entirely, this is always preferential to any adult acne medication.

In many cases, proper treatment of the skin with soaps of different strengths can be a great help, without any danger to the skin. This sort of regimen can take a long time to be effective, but is far safe than any other method of treatment.

If stronger methods are needed, any dermatologist will recommend incremental treatment. Always start with mild over the counter topical applications. If you met with no success, consult a dermatologist for stronger topical medications before moving on to more serious oral medications like Accutane.

Most dermatologists will prescribe typical over the counter medications for mild to moderate cases of acne. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, and resorcinal are the most common of these medications.

Each of these adult acne treatments work in very different ways, and are focused toward different types of acne. Click here to read more about adult acne treatment.