Vitality News Health Articles

As acne affects over 85% of Americans at one point in their lives, most have tried some (or many) over the counter (OTC) products. OTC products treat mild acne and come in the form of gels, creams, lotions, scrubs and cleansers. Simple to take over the counter acne pills have not yet been released.

The top over the counter acne medications are aimed at resolving mild acne and may not help severe forms. Don’t give up just yet. There are so many types of OTC acne treatments that one you haven’t tried might just be your solution.

Over the Counter Acne Medications Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat non-severe acne and usually a difference can be seen as short as in 5 days. Benzoyl peroxide comes in many different percentages, however, the highest must be prescribed. When it comes as a gel, it is generally of the stronger variety.

A common side effect of benzoyl peroxide is skin dryness and irritation. When starting this type of treatment, start with a lower percentage (2.5%) and work up to 5% or 10% if needed. Use it every other day if it’s still too potent and once your skin has adjusted, move up to twice daily or whatever has been recommended. Applying benzoyl peroxide products to cool, clean, dry skin will also decrease irritation.

As it has been discovered to produce free radicals, the major drawback of benzoyl peroxide is that it leads to cancer and causes premature aging, like persistent acne.

Benzoyl peroxide creates free radicals, which are known to damage skin and cause premature skin aging. Damage is determined by the concentration of benzoyl peroxide and the frequency and duration of use. Acne causes the skin to age faster than it would normally and use of benzoyl peroxide will do the same.

The skin produces hydrogen peroxide to fight each acne infection and this may continue for weeks until the infection is resolved. Hydrogen peroxide is a free radical which causes skin damage and skin aging. Over a period of time the volume of hydrogen peroxide acts just like continual sun exposure, damaging skin components such as collagen and causing the skin to sag and wrinkle.

Additionally, the healing process of acne infections involves thousands and thousands of chemical processes. These chemical processes produce more free radicals as a natural by-product and add to the volume of free radical damage (aging).

Luckily, the skin has antioxidants that protect against free radical damage. Research is showing that severe and even moderate acne uses all of the skin’s antioxidants, leaving it defenseless to fight against the free radicals formed due to normal every day body functions.

To stop skin aging, it is essential to find an acne skin care solution to stop acne (and its production of hydrogen peroxide) without creating more free radicals.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is a cream used in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. It kills acne bacteria and reduces inflammation of skin. Most skin types are tolerant towards it and have little skin redness, itching or burning.

Sulfur, Sodium Sulfacetamide and Salicylic Acid

These are not as successful with treating acne as benzoyl peroxide but work well for mild acne. These products are less irritating than benzoyl peroxide, but some have a strong smell and may cause the skin to turn brown.

Not enticed by the side effects? Wonder whether there are over the counter acne treatments that work? Everything depends on your skin type and how it responds to treatment. If your mild or moderate acne doesn’t respond well to these over the counter treatments, try exploring natural ingredients; they have antimicrobial and sebum inhibiting properties as well.

Control of acne with an acne breakouts treatment is not only important to the appearance of the skin today, it is an important strategy to prevent the premature aging of the skin. If you suffer from damaged premature skin, get BIO SKIN CARE, a biological product that works as an acne solution, an acne scar treatment and a skin rejuvenation system.

- Valerie DeVette