Acne Treatments – What Choices Do You Have?

Acne is a very common skin concern among women. There are also an extensive variety of acne treatments available on the market - from anti-acneic cleansers and moisturizers that serve to control acne to specialized acne spot treatments that work to heal stubborn pimples and blemishes. Moreover, there are hundreds of website on the internet that claim to showcase the 'best' and 'most effective' acne solutions. However, in order to treat your acne effectively, you need to be aware of the various treatments that are available and decide on the most suitable one.

Acne is usually associated with the development of zits, pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. And the acne treatment you choose should depend on the extent and severity of the condition. Here are some popular acne treatments:


Preventive or Mild Acne Skin Care Products
Non-Prescription Drug Store Remedies
Prescription Products suggested by Dermatologists
Home Remedies

Mild Acne Skin Care Products

These products aim to prevent acne altogether or prevent the existing acne from getting worse. You can find a wide variety of cleansers, toners make-up removers and even moisturizers and sunscreens that contain anti-acneic ingredients that help control acne on the skin and prevent pimples, zits, and blackheads by unclogging skin pores.

Such products are especially essential for people with oily and acne prone skin. In fact, these products should be an integral part of your daily skin cleansing regimen regardless of whether you have acne or not. This is because they control the production of excessive sebum and prevent the skin pores from getting clogged. And because the sebum doesn't get accumulated within the skin pores, acne causing bacteria do not survive.

Product Suggestions:

Obagi Clenziderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser
It is a powerful cleanser that contains about 2% of Salicylic Acid and removes oil and dirt from the skin.

Non-Prescription Drug Store Remedies

These remedies generally comprise of exfoliates and mild chemical peels that serve to remove the layer of dead skin cells from the surface and thus reveal the healthy new cells that lie underneath. As a result, the bacteria infested skin pores are cleansed and the skin becomes fresh and smooth. These products contain specialized active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and aim to eliminate acne causing bacteria and extract the extra oil from the skin.

However, one should be very careful while using these products. Start with products containing lower concentrations of active ingredients and see how your skin responds to it. Once your skin gets used to it, you may increase the concentration. You may also consider using alpha-hydroxy-acid based skin moisturizers.

Product Suggestions:

iS Clinical Active Serum
This is a highly concentrated serum that effectively improves both skin texture and pigmentation. Active Serum is anti-acneic and is ideal for patients dealing with both aging skin and oily acneic skin

Prescription Products suggested by Dermatologists

People with severe acne should consult a dermatologist or at least use prescription acne products recommended by them. These products address the particular type of acne that you have and provide immediate relief. They are usually topical creams, ointments and spot treatments that you can apply directly on the affected spots.

Product Suggestions:

Obagi Tretinoin Cream 0.025%
It is used to treat acne, scaly skin, fine lines and wrinkles. This is the starting strength Obagi recommends for those who have not used Tretinoin cream before. It is also available in 0.05% and 0.1% concentrations.

Home Remedies

There are a number of home remedies for acne that are available on the internet. However, it is best to provide proper treatment for your acne and use professional acne skin care products only.

A Word of Caution: Never try and squeeze your pimples and blackheads. This may push the bacteria to further inside the skin cells and lead to further bacterial infestation and permanent scarring of the skin.