The Best Acne Treatment

Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a plant hormone. A phytohormone, it helps plants resist pathogens and infection; helps them signal other cells within the same plant; and even other plants as well. It does this when its cells are being attacked by bacteria. And although it is naturally available from white willow bark, most of the commercially prepared salicylic acid is biosynthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine.

A key ingredient in many topical over the counter acne meds, salicylic acid is commonly used for treatment of acne, among other conditions (oral salicylic acid is better known as aspirin). Applied topically or, to the skin, it works as a keratolytic, and causes the cells of the epidermis (skin) to shed faster. This prevents your pores from becoming clogged, which allows room for new cell growth and clearer skin.

Resorcinol
Resorcinol is a substance distilled from Brazilwood extract (Brazilwood trees are listed as endangered species and are nearly extinct in their original range). It has been used as a topical antiseptic and disinfectant since. Over the counter acne treatments usually contain resorcinol in a 2% concentration. Higher percentages of resorcinol are found in prescription acne treatments. And it is also found in some medicated soaps.

Alcohol and acetone
These substances are astringents (they dry up your skin); they also are antibacterial. They remove excess oil and sebum from the skin surface, helping to unclog pores and also reducing the bacterial count, which leads less infection of pores and to clearer skin. The thing to remember is not to dry your skin out by using these too frequently. 2 or 3 times a day should be enough.

So which product should you use?
It would be a good idea to begin with a salicylic acid product together with an astringent to maintain clean skin that isn't oily and reduce the bacterial count on the skin surface. Try this first--it may be all you need.

But if your acne persists, you may need stronger treatment, and should move on to a benzoyl peroxide cream--continue using an astringent cleanser along with it. This should help clear any remaining acne.

Don't forget though that in treating acne, patience is good thing to have. It takes good skin hygiene and quality products to clear up your skin. So decide on which product to buy depending on what active ingredient it contains and go from there.