If you have acne you will no doubt have looked at over the counter acne treatments but which one is the most effective? The best acne treatment for you may depend on a number of factors, such as how severe your acne is. For those with very severe or cystic acne it is best to consult a dermatologist but for milder cases you may wish to try one of the OTC acne treatments mentioned below.

Acne treatments containing benzoyl peroxide.

The most popular ingredient in acne treatments is benzoyl peroxide which is included in the majority of OTC remedies. It is an effective treatment and can be used over a long period as there have not been reports of side effects when used in this way. Short term side effects include reddening of the skin, dryness itching or flaking but are usually mild and disappear as your skin gets used to the treatment. Benzoyl peroxide is found in popular acne treatments such as Clearasil or ProActive. Creams and gels can be bought that contain a variety of benzoyl peroxide strengths but you should start with a low strength such as 2.5% and only increase the strength if this is not working for you. It should be used over the whole of the affected area, not just on your spots as it will prevent flare ups in unaffected areas. It is also necessary to continue to use the treatment even when your skin is reasonably clear or the acne will probably return.

Acne treatments containing salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is another popular ingredient in OTC acne treatments and is a good exfoliator. It clears away dead skin cells and is effective at removing debris, sebum and dirt form the pores that harbor the acne bacteria. It is present in a wide range of acne treatments including creams, gels, exfoliating products and chemical peels.

Acne treatments containing sulphur

Sulphur has been used for a long time to treat acne and can be found in soaps and cleansers. It is a good product to use if you have blackheads or whiteheads although it can be drying to the skin or cause redness. It can also have an unpleasant smell so is less popular than some of the other remedies.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an effective bactericide and some studies have shown that it is as effective as benzoyl peroxide in treating acne. Terpinen-4-ol is the active ingredient which is thought to be responsible for killing Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that is the cause of acne. Studies at the Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia showed that using a 5% tea tree oil gel on people with mild or moderate acne was as effective as a 5% solution of benzoyl peroxide although it did take a bit longer to work. It also does not cause the redness and itching sometimes experienced when using benzoyl peroxide products. Tea tree oil should never be applied directly to the skin but diluted to a 5% solution before being applied. You can increase the concentration gradually if this is not effective enough but never go above 15%. You should also apply only to the affected areas not over the whole of your face.

Conclusion

Over the counter acne treatments can be very effective for mild to moderate acne. If you try any of the above give it a few months to work before trying another treatments as none of them are going to work overnight.