Each year millions of teenagers are afflicted by acne and many continue to get acne even as adults.
Every year sees new acne cures being brought to market, each claiming to be the best at treating and stopping acne.
Unfortunately, no single acne treatment has been shown to be able to do that.
Many people who suffer with acne have a medicine cabinet loaded with all kinds of acne medication and acne treatments that didn't work.
If this sounds like you, you need to take time out and return to acne care basics.
You should first learn what exactly acne is and what causes it.
See a dermatologist about your acne.
The dermatologist may be able to recommend an over-the-counter acne medication.
If your acne is really bad your dermatologist may be able to give you a prescription for acne medication.
Modern day acne treatments are usually made up of a toner, lotion, and an acne face wash.
When you use these different acne products together you can obtain excellent results as far as controlling blemishes caused by acne.
They won't necessarily cure your acne but, if you use them correctly, they can help you to have fewer breakouts of acne.
Step one The facial cleanser or wash is designed to kill bacteria, not only on the surface of your skin but in the pores as well.
Some of the cleansers have tiny granules which will remove dead skin cells and other impurities.
Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are the two ingredients most commonly used to fight acne.
Propionibacteria acnes are the bacteria which cause acne breakouts.
They can't live in an environment rich in oxygen.
This is where benzoyl peroxide comes in.
Benzoyl peroxide introduces oxygen into the pores killing the propionibacteria acnes.
This results in fewer acne breakouts.
You can get it as a face wash, gel, lotion, or a cream.
Salicylic acid is used to slow down the shedding of skin cells inside your follicles, which will reduce clogging of the pores.
Salicylic acid, which will also breakdown whiteheads and blackheads, is available in medicated pads (aka Stridex), gels, and lotions.
Step two An exfoliator or toner will get rid of dead skin cells as well as remove excess oil and unclog your pores.
Since clogging of the pores is one of the main causes of acne so unclogging your pores is very important if you want to control your acne.
Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide is usually the main ingredient of the toner or exfoliator.
Step three The lotion is the last step and is used to moisturize and reduce skin irritation.
Benzoyl peroxide is contained in some of the lotions to help heal inflammation of the skin.
This will help to stop future breakouts.
It doesn't matter which acne treatment you decide to use, as long as you follow the three steps you should have fewer acne breakouts.
If you wish to control your acne, you should follow all of the above steps, they are all important.
By using these medications you can go a long way in your efforts to keep your skin clear and without acne.
Before taking any medications, be sure to check with your doctor or dermatologist to make sure they are the right ones for you.