Best Acne Treatments

The best acne treatments you can use depend on your skin and how it reacts. Acne affects nearly every one at some point in their lives. Some people spend their of adolescence with just a few pimples. Some are not so lucky, and have pimples from puberty through their adult years. Zits affects more than your face, it can affect your self esteem.

First, the good news. For many years it was thought that chocolate and rich foods contributed to acne breakouts. Not so! Chocolate (in moderation) is all right.

There are many over the counter, prescription, and herbal treatments, each with varying degrees of effectiveness.

There are also some common sense rules you should apply. The most important common sense habit is to keep your skin clean. Wash your face and other affected parts with a gentle, non-drying soap. Washing once or twice a day, especially after exercise, is good, but excessive, repeated washings will only irritate your skin all the more.

Shampoo daily, especially if your hair is oily. Keep hair out of your face.

Keep your hands off your face. You can be transferring germs from your hands to your acne.

Don’t pick, squeeze, “pop”, pick, or rub your pimples. That might cause scarring.

Avoid greasy cosmetics and cream. Use water based (“non-comedogenic”) formulas that don’t clog pores.

Always remove the make up from your face before you go to bed. Not only will a clean face benefit your acne, but any applied medicines will be able to absorb into your skin and do its work.

Now, having incorporated these common sense rules, you and your skin have a fighting chance when it comes to topical medications. There are many different over the counter (OTC) or prescription medications that fight zits, for some people this is the best acne treatment.

The OTC acne medications come in creams, lotions, liquids, and pastes. The most popular contain benzoil peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, and salicylic acid. Their major functions are to kill bacteria and dry up oil. People with slight to moderate acne usually find that these treatmentss work well for them.

Prescription medications include oral antibiotics such as tetracycline. They kill stubborn bacteria more effectively than an OTC. There are creams, gels, and pills containing a derivative of vitamin A. These should not be used by females of child bearing age, though, because severe birth defects can occur.

Sometimes birth control pills (BCP) can arrest acne in females. The hormones in the BCPs are the active ingredients.

The injection of corticosteroids are also used. Studies have also begun on laser and blue light rays and seem promising.

Herbal remedies of different kinds are also being used. Oils, teas, and tinctures of various herbs have had good effect with some people.

As you can see, there are many pimple treatments. Depending on the severity of your case, the stress it causes you, and what you are willing to try to tame your acne are very personal choices. Make this choice calmly and
in an informed manner, and clear skin might just be your reward. That is the best acne treatment.