Over The Counter Acne Products
Over-the-counter products are those which are easily available in a market and we don't need a prescription to use them. There are lots of products that are available in a market for different problems and acne is one of them. Normally people try to treat acne by over-the-counter products which consists of different lotion, cleansers, soaps and etc.
There are lots of products available in a market to treat acne. People get confused sometimes what to use and what not? Best solution for this problem is that first get complete knowledge about active components of acne products then go to the market and purchase a product which you think suits you best according to your skin type. When you apply topical acne medications, you should apply them to the entire area where you have acne, not just to the visible blemishes. In this way, you will also be treating small microscopic blemishes that are not yet visible to you.
Here we give you some basic knowledge about active components of acne treatments so that you can easily search for right treatment for your acne. Following are list of some most common components.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is the most commonly used over the counter acne medication, and for good reason; Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most effective acne treatments available. Use of benzoyl peroxide should be continued after acne clears to prevent new lesions from forming. It is said that benzoyl peroxide works faster than prescription antibiotics, and even more effective when combined with the topical antibiotic, clindamycin.
Side-Effect:
The principal side effect is excessive dryness of the skin, so be sure to follow directions. It causes redness and scaling. If you’re allergic then you will experience blistering, burning, crusting, itching, swelling or severe redness, so stop using it and consult dermatologist.
Sulfur
Sulfur is one of the oldest acne treatments, and reacts with the skin in such a way that it makes it dry, and peel. This works on acne by drying out the Sebum, and therefore, stopping the bacterial growth.
Side-Effects:
Sulfur also has a strong odor, and some people have skin that reacts harshly to sulfur, causing excessive redness and peeling. Possible adverse effects include salicylate toxicity, toxic inner ear damage, and hypersensitivity. Unknown effects in pregnancy.
Resorcinol
Resorcinol is another over-the-counter chemical that is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne. It works by breaking down hard skin. Resorcinol is commonly used with sulfur to treat acne. Because it is a strong chemical, don’t use resorcinol with other astringents or cleansers unless advised by a dermatologist to do so.
Side-Effects:
It can be very irritating to some patients, and it may even discolor dark skin, so sensitive and dark-skinned patients are usually advised to avoid products containing it.
Salicylic acid
salicylic acid helps correct the abnormal shedding of skin cells and unclog pores to resolve and prevent lesions. Salicylic acid works especially well for those with blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid must be used continuously. Once stopped, pores clog and acne returns. Salicylic acid is found in many over-the-counter acne products, including lotions, creams and pads.
Side-Effects:
It may be irritating to the skin.
Alcohol and Acetone
Alcohol is an antimicrobial and may work to reduce acne-causing bacteria on the other hand Acetone removes excess oil from the skin. Together they help cleanse excess oil from the skin, reducing the amount of pore blockages.
Normally over-the-counter treatments show its effectiveness within 8 to 10 weeks, after this time period if you do not observe any improvement then consult a good dermatologist or change the product you can also use natural or organic products they are effective and dont have side effects.
