Acne is a common skin problem which can be prevented or
treated effectively using suitable products and making proper changes in your lifestyle especially on diet. The main causes of acne break out are increased
level of sebum or oil production and the clogging of skin pores. Clogging of
pores leads bacterial development and cause acne.
Acne can be tackled easily and there are loads of skin care
products available in the market today. Acne skin care products are classified into
three broad categories.
* Preventive or general acne skin care products
* Over-the-counter, specialized skin care products
* On-prescription medicines
Preventive Acne Care Products
Taking preventive measures for acne break out is the easiest
method to follow. The general skin care products are the ones that are used as
acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar
products that help prevent acne. These are also the products which are usually
part of your make-up kit and daily routine.
Some of these are formulated to act like an acne care
product. These products act against the causes of acne e.g. limiting the
production of sebum or oil and preventing the clogging of skin pores. Basically
these products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and hence hamper
the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products
also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing
dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria
development.
Over the Counter Medications
Many specialized over-the counter products are available in
the market for acne skin care. They are
sold without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing
creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these products are
based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of acne
causing bacteria. You should start with a product that has lower concentration
of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are
also popula. You might have to try a few, before
fixing a product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you
should contact a dermatologist.
On-Prescription Acne Care Products
On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that
are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be
applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment.
Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment because sometimes hormonal
changes also cause acne. Most of the time prescription medicines are known to be
very effective in treating acne.
By drinking plenty of water and following a nutrient rich fat
free diet, acne break out can be prevented to some extent naturally. Drinking
enough water helps to flesh out all the toxins and impurities from the body
keeping the skin clean and healthy.
Never try to squeeze or break an acne by yourself, it can
lead to permanent skin damage.. Always
try to keep face and the overall skin clean and fresh using gentle cleansers.
This will prevent acne break out due to clogging of skin pores. For acnes due
to hormonal changes or imbalance, hormone based prescription treatment is only
the effective remedy.