(by 2 people)
Over the Counter Acne Products: Is OTC right for me?
One of the most common questions an acne sufferer asks is "What is the best over the counter acne medicine?" The answer is simpler than you might think, as the top acne products over the counter are remarkably similar.
OTC Products: Lot's of Brand Names to Choose From
Over the counter adult acne treatments are recognized by brand name. Benzoyl peroxide can be found in typical concentrations in Clearasil, Fostex, Persa-Gel, and PanOxyl Dryox. Salicylic acid can be found in Stridex, Oxy Night Watch, and the Clearasil Cle
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the most common over the counter adult acne treatments on the market. Benzoyl peroxide acts as a bactericide, preventing acne by destroying the bacteria that promotes it. Salicylic acid is a natural acid that is about as effective as benzoyl peroxide, but works by helping removing unhealthy skin in favor of new, healthy skin, which is more resistant to bacteria.
These two substances are the best over the counter acne treatment, and they are prevalent in many different products. When one shops for OTC treatment for adult acne, they'll see Benzoyl peroxide in its commonly recognized forms such as Clearasil, and salicylic acid in Stridex and Oxy. However, they're often in the newly popular "complete" acne treatment sets. These are currently the top acne products over the counter, as they make the whole process easier for the consumer by including benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and other pore cleansing and moisturizing solutions all in one package.
Tip: Looking for a way to treat your acne? Then I recommend you visit my review site and learn more about the top acne products.
Generally, it's good idea to look at over the counter acne treatments' reviews before selecting a product for acne treatment. Over the counter acne product consumer comparisons can be found on sites such as Amazon.com, which allow you to view all manner of acne treatment products and see customer reviews on each of them.
These two substances are the best over the counter acne treatment, and they are prevalent in many different products. When one shops for OTC treatment for adult acne, they'll see Benzoyl peroxide in its commonly recognized forms such as Clearasil, and salicylic acid in Stridex and Oxy. However, they're often in the newly popular "complete" acne treatment sets. These are currently the top acne products over the counter, as they make the whole process easier for the consumer by including benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and other pore cleansing and moisturizing solutions all in one package.
Tip: Looking for a way to treat your acne? Then I recommend you visit my review site and learn more about the top acne products.
Generally, it's good idea to look at over the counter acne treatments' reviews before selecting a product for acne treatment. Over the counter acne product consumer comparisons can be found on sites such as Amazon.com, which allow you to view all manner of acne treatment products and see customer reviews on each of them.
OTC Complete Acne Therapy systems
OTC Complete Acne Therapy systems have grown in popularity in recent years, in no small part due to the success of the Proactiv acne solution. The irony of the success of these products is that they are simply sets of commonly available over the counter a
Most skin care advice for adult acne products will recommend the same things: a regimen of benzoyl peroxide based medications, salicylic acids, and general good skin care involving regular soaps. This way, they can all claim to be "dermatologist recommended," and it's completely true. They are technically completely true, because every dermatologist will recommend OTC benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid solutions before progressing to more "hard" medicines. The best products to fight adult acne will always be the best products to fight adult acne.
Proactiv has the most visibility of these "Complete Acne Therapy" systems, but there are plenty more that can be found at any drug store. Among the most popular of these sets is the over the counter Neutrogena Advanced Therapy System, which contains a bottle of salicylic acid, a bottle of SPF-15 lotion, and a bottle of benzoyl peroxide. None of these "Complete Acne Therapy" systems claim to be a miracle, and they all require strict adherence to their regimens. Proactiv has brought these systems a great deal of attention through their numerous celebrity sponsors such as Jessica Simpson, Elle Macpherson, and Vanessa Williams in their recurring television commercials. This campaign has met with great success, as 7 million people have thus far utilized the Proactiv system. Again though, it's not greatly different from most of the OTC benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid products available.
Active ingredient concentrations are the same for all of these OTC products, as anything less would be ineffective, and anything more would be toxic. The only difference is that some of these products (such as Proactiv) will include exfoliating scrubs, These scrubs clear clogged pores in the same fashion that regular back brushing and wash cloth usage would. These scrubs can be a great benefit to the whole acne regimen, and open, clean pores are a great start to proper skin care, adult acne or not. Proper skin treatment keeps one looking young as well as keeping the skin fresh and clean.
Proactiv has the most visibility of these "Complete Acne Therapy" systems, but there are plenty more that can be found at any drug store. Among the most popular of these sets is the over the counter Neutrogena Advanced Therapy System, which contains a bottle of salicylic acid, a bottle of SPF-15 lotion, and a bottle of benzoyl peroxide. None of these "Complete Acne Therapy" systems claim to be a miracle, and they all require strict adherence to their regimens. Proactiv has brought these systems a great deal of attention through their numerous celebrity sponsors such as Jessica Simpson, Elle Macpherson, and Vanessa Williams in their recurring television commercials. This campaign has met with great success, as 7 million people have thus far utilized the Proactiv system. Again though, it's not greatly different from most of the OTC benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid products available.
Active ingredient concentrations are the same for all of these OTC products, as anything less would be ineffective, and anything more would be toxic. The only difference is that some of these products (such as Proactiv) will include exfoliating scrubs, These scrubs clear clogged pores in the same fashion that regular back brushing and wash cloth usage would. These scrubs can be a great benefit to the whole acne regimen, and open, clean pores are a great start to proper skin care, adult acne or not. Proper skin treatment keeps one looking young as well as keeping the skin fresh and clean.
The Price is Right?
Basically, since the active ingredients in these solutions are so similar, one of the most important considerations in selecting an over the counter medication is price.
As they say, if it looks like a duck, walks, like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. Acne medication is no different, it just leaves less of a mess and doesn't have webbed feet.
There are other over the counter methods to help cure and prevent acne. Vitamins, too, are available at most grocery and drug stores. Vitamin B6 promotes proper metabolism of steroid hormones, which helps keep skin strong, decreasing its infection and hormone sensitivity. Vitamin A has been shown to reduce acne in women, as it can help hormone imbalances. Vitamin A occurs naturally in carrots, leafy green vegetables (lettuce, spinach, collard greens), and yellow and orange fruits such as peaches, apricots, and mangoes. Fish oil pills contain omega-3 fats which is a great acne preventive.
There are other over the counter methods to help cure and prevent acne. Vitamins, too, are available at most grocery and drug stores. Vitamin B6 promotes proper metabolism of steroid hormones, which helps keep skin strong, decreasing its infection and hormone sensitivity. Vitamin A has been shown to reduce acne in women, as it can help hormone imbalances. Vitamin A occurs naturally in carrots, leafy green vegetables (lettuce, spinach, collard greens), and yellow and orange fruits such as peaches, apricots, and mangoes. Fish oil pills contain omega-3 fats which is a great acne preventive.
Recommendations
In my own personal opinion, and after looking at customer reviews and comparisons, I believe that going with a "Complete Acne Treatment System" is a great way to go. Generally, any combination of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide will be an effective acne treatment. Combined with exfoliating scrubs, SPF 15 lotions, and moisturizers, these should promote clean, open pores. Complete Acne Treatment Systems combine all of these into a single package, allowing you to know that you're getting lots of products that are guaranteed to help acne treatment.
Since so many of them are so similar, you can purchase one of these based on price alone! If it contains all of these products and it is still a reasonable price, you can rest assured that it will be a steal.
Since so many of them are so similar, you can purchase one of these based on price alone! If it contains all of these products and it is still a reasonable price, you can rest assured that it will be a steal.
Want More Acne Tips?
Read about acne products for adult skin...
The market for acne products is booming, as adult acne is a highly visible affliction. There's over the counter medications, snake oil cures, and arcane
mechanical devices that all claim to be effective treatment for skin care. Click here to read more about acne products for adult skin.
mechanical devices that all claim to be effective treatment for skin care. Click here to read more about acne products for adult skin.
