What over the counter acne treatment will work best for you? Lets take a look at some active ingredients in the most common over the counter acne treatments and what these ingredients actually do.
An active ingredient you'll see often in most over the counter acne treatments is benzoyl peroxide. It has an antibacterial effect on your skin. It also makes your skin cells turnover more rapidly, which clears pores and prevents them from becoming clogged again.
The most well tolerated concentration of benzoyl peroxide is 2.5%. Even though you could buy a 5-10% cream, it is better to start with the lowest concentration; your skin tolerates it much better. The 5-10% cream hasn't been noted to be more effective anyway, and the extra skin dryness and inflammation you get won't be worth the effect it has on your acne.
Skin dryness and irritation are often the most experienced side effects of benzoyl peroxide, and most people develop tolerance within about 7 days. To help clear your skin more rapidly, it is a good idea to slowly increase the amount you apply to your skin so that you become used to a higher dose. Also, remember not to apply too much or too many times in 24 hours because this can really dry out your skin and cause inflammation.
Present in white willow bark, most salicylic acid is commercially prepared--biosynthesized from phenylalanine, an amino acid. In plants, salicylic acid helps cells signal other cells when in trouble (under attack by bacteria); it also helps plants signal other plants when in danger. It is a plant hormone, a phytohormone, and salicylic acid helps mount resistance against bacteria and infection.
Many over the counter acne treatments contain salicylic acid (oral salicylic acid is also known as aspirin). When applied topically (to skin), it functions as a keratolytic, causing the skin cells to slough off more rapidly. Fewer pores become clogged, and there is more room for new cell growth which translates into clearer skin.
To learn more--read part 2 of this article on over the counter acne treatments at Dr. M's website or blog.
An active ingredient you'll see often in most over the counter acne treatments is benzoyl peroxide. It has an antibacterial effect on your skin. It also makes your skin cells turnover more rapidly, which clears pores and prevents them from becoming clogged again.
The most well tolerated concentration of benzoyl peroxide is 2.5%. Even though you could buy a 5-10% cream, it is better to start with the lowest concentration; your skin tolerates it much better. The 5-10% cream hasn't been noted to be more effective anyway, and the extra skin dryness and inflammation you get won't be worth the effect it has on your acne.
Skin dryness and irritation are often the most experienced side effects of benzoyl peroxide, and most people develop tolerance within about 7 days. To help clear your skin more rapidly, it is a good idea to slowly increase the amount you apply to your skin so that you become used to a higher dose. Also, remember not to apply too much or too many times in 24 hours because this can really dry out your skin and cause inflammation.
Present in white willow bark, most salicylic acid is commercially prepared--biosynthesized from phenylalanine, an amino acid. In plants, salicylic acid helps cells signal other cells when in trouble (under attack by bacteria); it also helps plants signal other plants when in danger. It is a plant hormone, a phytohormone, and salicylic acid helps mount resistance against bacteria and infection.
Many over the counter acne treatments contain salicylic acid (oral salicylic acid is also known as aspirin). When applied topically (to skin), it functions as a keratolytic, causing the skin cells to slough off more rapidly. Fewer pores become clogged, and there is more room for new cell growth which translates into clearer skin.
To learn more--read part 2 of this article on over the counter acne treatments at Dr. M's website or blog.
About the Author:
To read more about what over the counter acne treatment to use, get over to Dr. M's blog. Dr. Alex Hroz writes about issues that impact your health, such as teenage acne, with the aim of improving your well being. Get a free pdf guide about over the counter acne treatments and read how to get rid of acne fast: visit Dr. M's site by clicking the link.
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