Common Acne Solutions
What is Acne?
Acne Vulgaris, more commonly called acne, pimples, or zits, is a skin condition caused by blocked pores in your skin. Acne may show up in many different forms, including white heads, black head, papules (small bumps), or pimples (lesions that are red and filled with pus).
Common causes of acne include oily skin, genetic history, increased hormonal activity, inflammation or irritation of the skin, stress, dead skin buildup, and use of certain drugs (amphetamines, anabolic steroids, and other similar drugs). Acne also effects 89% of teenagers, and is usually cleared up by the time a person reached their mid 20s.
Common Acne Solutions
Given that acne affects 89% of teenagers, you can imagine that the top acne solutions are marketed towards this group. However, adults also suffer from acne and while adult acne solutions exist, most solutions for acne will work for both teens and adults.
The most commonly used acne solution is benzoyl peroxide cream. Benzoyl peroxide is available in both OTC and prescription versions, with the prescription being more effective on severe acne. This does not mean that you need prescription peroxide if you have a mild to medium case of acne, as the OTC version has been proven very effective as an acne solution. The main difference between prescription and OTC is that the prescription comes in a dissolved form that allows it to penetrate the skin more deeply.
The cream typically has a 10% concentration of benzoyl peroxide solution, and has shown effective in reducing acne after six weeks of use. One main advantage is that it is a strong oxidizer that does not seem to create bacterial resistance. Side effects include dry skin, redness, and irritation of the skin. Using a less-concentrated version (2.5% concentration) along with the proper moisturizer can help avoid dry skin.
