Acne Products: What Works and Why?
People use several over-the-counter (OTC) acne products to treat mild to moderate acne. Now the questions come—with so many acne products in stores, how do you know which one is best for you and how to use these products for best results?
Before you grab anything that TV commercial is promoting, learn what ingredients to look for.
The best acne product depends on many factors: skin type, the type and severity of acne, and patients’ skin care preferences. While choosing and using acne products, follow these guidelines:
Look for benzoyl peroxide. When you are in doubt which acne product to buy, start with one that contains benzoyl peroxide, which is effective and included in the World Health Organization (WHO) Model Lists of essential medicines.
Begin with lower strength acne products. This will help minimize redness, excessive dryness and other skin problems. If needed, gradually increase the strength and frequency of your applications so that your skin can adjust to the treatments.
Keep patience. Treating acne with acne products takes time. Generally, it may take four to eight weeks of daily use of an acne product to see the results. Sometimes, acne may look worse before it gets better.
When using acne products, keep the following skin tips in mind:
- Wash your affected areas with a mild cleanser, twice a day. But avoid overdoing it; excessive washing and scrubbing can worsen acne.
- Apply just enough acne product to cover the problem areas.
- Use an oil-free, water-based moisturizer to help alleviate dry.
- Avoid oily cosmetics, sunscreens and hair products.
- Don’t pick or squeeze blemishes.
- Avoid resting your hands, telephone receivers, or cell phones on your face.
Note: If you notice any adverse reaction to such products or If your acne doesn’t improve after two months of treatment, consider consulting your doctor or a dermatologist for medication.
