Acne Treatments: Which Should You Choose?

Nothing is more confusing than trying to figure out what kinds of acne treatments will work for you. Acne care products may be plentiful, colorful and varied, but in the final analysis you need what works. You also want to check out any possible side effects from the treatments.

Over the Counter Acne Products

We're going to cover some of the most common brand names. Names you'll likely recognize on the shelf (over the counter). Before you buy acne treatments make sure you know what kind of acne you have. There's no sense in spending money on something that won't work. And yes, some of the treatments are pricey.

There are really only about four categories of over the counter acne treatments you can choose from. Just check your labels because some of them have different names, but are the same thing. For instance, Clearasil Adult Care (sulfur) is essentially the same thing as Resorcinol (may have other additives).

Salicylic acid is sold under the names Stri-dex, Clearasil Clearstick, and Oxy Night Watch.

Benzoyl Peroxide is marketed under Daniel Kern's Regimen Gel, Neutrogena On-the-Spot, Clearasil, Oxy-10, Fostex, Clear by Design, and Persa-Gel. None of these products are terribly expensive, which tends to make them attractive. Just make sure they are what you need or you will be wasting money.

Prescription Drug Treatments

Prescription drugs for acne treatments may be more effective.

Adaplene (Differin) is a gel used once a day. Azelaic acid (Azelex) comes in cream form and is applied twice a day.

Benzoyl Peroxide (Benzac AC, Brevoxyl, Triaz, Benzaclin (benzoyl peroxide + clindamycin) can be prescribed or bought over the counter in creams, gels and wash form. Clindamycin comes in a solution, a lotion or gel and you use it twice a day.

Erythromycin (antibiotic) is in a gel in ointment and carry along packs. Used twice daily. It has so many other names it would make your head spin. Just read the label. Isotretinoin (Accutane, Accutane Roche) is a vitamin A derivative pill, comes with serious side effects, especially for pregnancy. Research carefully!

Oral antibiotics are still used to treat acne under the names Vibramycin (doxycycline), Minocin (minocycline). Oral contraceptives are also still given to clear skin, most notably Ortho Tri-cyclen. Beware of its effectiveness for birth control.

Sodium Sulfacetamide aka Klaron, Novacet, Sulfacet-R is antibacterial and used on the skin. Tazorotene (Tazorac) is a gel used daily and Tretinoin (Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Avita, Renova) a cream, gel or liquid used once a day. Prices on these drugs range from $8.00 to over $400.00. Decide what is best for you in partnership with your doctor/dermatologist.

Glycolic Acid Treatments

Pimple Eraser Plus and the Pimple Eraser also have a proven track record as an effective Glycolic acne treatment system and with for weeks of use is equivelant to a 99% Glycolic facial peel. The Pimple Eraser has been in use since 1996 only available in spas. They are available to the public.

Made from sugar cane, glycolic treatments are the simplest and most effective member of the chemical family referred to as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA). Put simply, glycolic acid speeds up the skin renewal process.

Click here, for more information about the Pimple Eraser skin care system, for treating acne.

Before using Pimple Eraser	After using Pimple Eraser