OTC Acne Medicines
Common OTC Acne Medicines and How It Works
Mild to moderate acne can be treated at home with OTC acne medicines. If possible, we should try to begin acne treatment while it is still mild. You’ll get better results and reduce the chances of it escalating into more serious acne skin problems.
If you have mild acne, you’ll see symptoms such as blackheads, whiteheads or milia.
You may also have some papules and pustules, but they won't be too serious.
Mild acne can be easily controlled and the condition greatly improved when you start using the right OTC acne treatments.
Here are some commonly used over-the-counter acne medicines:
Acetone and Alcohol
Both acetone and alcohol are found in some over-the-counter acne medicines.
Acetone works by removing grease from the skin. Alcohol is a mild antimicrobial drug that kills or eliminates microorganisms and inhibits their growth.
These 2 ingredients must be used together for the acne medicine to be effective.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is the main ingredient found in a lot of over the counter acne products.
It works by reducing the P. acne bacteria. It also removes dead skin cells to prevent the formation of acne lesions or comedones.
Among the first to be discovered and tested effective against mild acne, doctors have used benzoyl peroxide as an acne medicine for decades.
Benzoyl peroxide dries up the skin. This is the main side effect. Therefore, it is important to follow the directions given and not over-use without proper instructions from a qualified physician.
Benzoyl peroxide is known to have bleaching properties. Hair, clothing, bed sheets and towels – these are some of the things that it can bleach.
When applying benzoly peroxide, exercise caution to avoid unpleasant consequences from its bleaching effects. When applying to back acne or chest acne, wear old clothes.
You can obtain benzoyl peroxide over-the-counter in the forms of gel or lotion. Continue to use benzoyl peroxide even after your acne has cleared up. This will help to prevent the formation of new lesions.
Resorcinol
Resorcinol is another popular ingredient, commonly found combined with sulphur in OTC acne medicines. It is used to treat and control smaller acne lesions.
Salicyclic Acid
Salicyclic acid has been found to be effective in the treatment of acne lesions that are non-inflammatory.
It helps the skin to clear up acne lesions and prevent formation by unclogging pores. It slows down the shedding of skin cells and corrects the abnormal formation of dead skin cells.
It also helps to breakdown whiteheads and blackheads.
However, salicylic acid does not help to reduce sebum production. Neither does it get rid of the P. acnes bacteria.
Similar to the benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid must be used continuously. Clogged pores and acne will return when treatment is terminated.
One possible side effect is skin irritation.
Salicylic acid can be found in many OTC acne medicines, including creams, lotions and pads.
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Salicyclic acid is the active ingredient in DermaCleanse® Acne Gel that is used to combat acne bacteria and prevent the formation of new pimples.
Sulfur
Combined with other drugs such as resorcinol, alcohol and salicylic acid, sulfur has been in used as a medicine for acne many decades.
While sulfur has been used in OTC acne medicine for a long time, nobody is clear as to how it functions to clear up acne. However sulfur is not used alone as it has an unpleasant smell.
 Adovia Sulfur Soap |
Olive oil and Aloe Vera extract has been added to help maintain the skin’s moisture level.
The sulfur content is kept at not more than 3% so that it will not be too harsh and cause skin irritation.
Since biblical days, sulfur has been used to cure all kinds of skin diseases such as acne and scabies.
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When using the soap, do be careful and avoid the eyes. Rinse thoroughly.
Skin Care for People with Acne
The key to skin care for people with acne is to have a strict skin care regime.
Maintain a good skin care routine, use appropriate good skin care products that have been formulated for acne prone skins and your skin condition will improve.
This article will help you to formulate a facial skin care routine that is appropriate for your skin type.
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The
Acne Be Gone! Kit
has been shown to be equally effective for acne treatment for men, women and teenagers. It is comprises of the following popular and effective acne products:
- 2 Adovia Mud Soaps
- Adovia Exfoliating Facial Salts for Acne Treatment
- Adovia Mineral Facial Toner
- Adovia Purifying Mud Mask