Over the counter, sometimes referred to as otc for short, products are starting to become an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medication in the treatment of acne.
These products are readily available as you don't need a prescription from your doctor to buy them and for people with mild to moderate forms of acne the best over the counter treatments will be just as effective as the more expensive prescribed ones.
Besides being cheaper, these products often have little, or no side effects, in comparison to some of the highly publicised prescribed antibiotic drugs used by doctors.
Although there are lots of over the counter acne products on sale, really there are only two kinds of treatments available - either medicated or natural. Both types utilise basically the same technique by using a drying agent to exfoliate the skin and to combat the acne and pimples.
Usually, in the case of a medicated product, this is either benzoyl peroxide, salycic acid or glycolic acid. Natural products tend to use combinations of ingredients and plant extracts like vitamin E, tea tree oil, aloe vera, witch hazel, green tea extract, cucumber etc.
There seems to be a growing number of different treatments but usually over the counter products come in the form of topical cleansers, soaps, washes, lotions, creams, gels or even pads and patches that are applied onto the skin.
When using these kind of preparations it is important, that you cover all of the area where you have acne because then you will also be treating the hidden blemishes that you can't yet see as well as the acne breakouts that you can.
Expect some trials and errors as you experiment with the different treatments available, it may take you a while before you find the right type or combination of products that work for you. Whatever you do, don't use more than one treatment at a time, particularly with medicated products, discontinue one before you try out another.
When you are trying a new product give it enough time to start working before discarding it to try something else. Typically you may need to use it for six to eight weeks before you notice any real progress but, of course, this depends upon the severity of your acne and your skin type, some people see improvements after only a few weeks.
After you have found the perfect skin care products that suit you and are providing good results, you may find that you will need to continue your treatments to keep your acne in check. This is because acne is a chronic (meaning long-term) skin disorder and it is possible that once you stop using your treatments the acne could reoccur.
To get the best out of any over the counter acne products you need to use them consistently and correctly. This may be common sense but do read the labels and make sure you use them in line with the instructions given! If you don't you risk causing damage to your skin and doing more harm than good, this is especially true if you have sensitive skin.
The over the counter products that are available, whether medicated or natural, do successfully treat most forms of acne. Unfortunately, there are always exceptions to the rule and there are some types of acne that will not respond to these type of treatments. If this happens to you and nothing you try is helping your condition then seek the help of your doctor or dermatologist.
Elaine Clay is the owner of Acne Treatments Online.com. Get articles and information to help you find proven and effective acne solutions available online to treat and get rid of your condition safely and naturally.
There are numerous microdermabrasion benefits. One of the most noteworthy... Read More
Many people think of microdermabrasion acne treatments as those supplied... Read More
An acne trigger is any thought, location, feeling, food, emotion,... Read More
When it comes to zits and finding the acne cure... Read More
Those who have battled with acne may have acne scars.... Read More
Medical professionals and acne-pestered adolescents have no doubts about the... Read More
The first step to curing acne is knowing what type... Read More
Systemic EnzymesIf you have scars or pockmarks that have recently... Read More
There are many different types of acne and with that... Read More
To eliminate or clear your face of acne it will... Read More
Softening the skin and relieving wrinkles with anti-aging moisturizers is... Read More
Getting your bowels moving and cleaning out your colon is... Read More
All life forms strategize to survive and procreate. Weeds, worms,... Read More
The number people over 30 needing acne treatments has climbed... Read More
Acne or pimples are caused by hormonal changes, wrong food... Read More
There are quite a few prescription medications used to combat... Read More
You can do several things to improve acne. There are... Read More
These days we are exposed to so many harsh chemicals,... Read More
There I was. I had paid just under $400 dollars... Read More
Herbal combinations are a powerful way to reduce or eliminate... Read More
Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin... Read More
How Pantothenic Acid Works Many people have commented before that... Read More
The skin is the largest and most visible organ of... Read More
Undoubtedly your mom told you about the straw that broke... Read More
There are a plethora of acne medications currently on the... Read More
Many people wonder what the active cause for acne to... Read More
White bumps bugging you? Just because you have little white... Read More
Chances are, if you find yourself reading this article, you... Read More
The kidneyThe purpose of the two kidneys is to filter... Read More
If you suffer from acne, you may need acne skin... Read More
Acne is a uncomfortable and embarrassing skin condition that affects... Read More
Fruit smoothies provide you a different way to eat fruits.... Read More
For many people the question of "what causes adult acne"... Read More
Acne can sometimes be improved with a regimen of vitamins... Read More
Retin-A for acne scars is one possibility for the problem.... Read More
The first step to curing acne is knowing what type... Read More
Adult acne - why must we suffer aging skin AND... Read More
Are you one of the millions of adults who have... Read More
Most acne medications only mask the symptoms of acne and... Read More
While many focus upon the biological or medicinal side of... Read More
Eating the right kind of food is what can give... Read More
Acne solutions occupy the minds of our teenagers. With acne... Read More
Microdermabrasion is a progressive skin re-surfacing technique that targets wrinkles,... Read More
At some point in your life you will probably suffer... Read More
If you are between 10 to 40 you have great... Read More
Many people suffer from eczema and various skin disorders that... Read More
Acne scars develop after severe cases or when the acne... Read More
After you have washed your face with a chemical free... Read More
Systemic EnzymesIf you have scars or pockmarks that have recently... Read More
There are a plethora of acne medications currently on the... Read More
Types of AcneAcne is a general term used to describe... Read More
How Pantothenic Acid Works Many people have commented before that... Read More
Mental attitudeAcne is an expression of toxins in the body... Read More
Blackheads are the slightly different sibling of zits, and like... Read More
All life forms strategize to survive and procreate. Weeds, worms,... Read More
Eating and drinking vegetables is necessary for good health and... Read More
Puberty brought bouts of acne. In your 20s, finding Mr.... Read More
Blackheads ? those little black dots that clog up your... Read More
For many people the question of "what causes adult acne"... Read More
There is growing evidence that suggests that the consumption of... Read More
Green tea is the most consumed beverage in the world,... Read More
Most of the acne treatments out there just don't have... Read More
Two of the best-known treatments for acne include phototherapy and... Read More
Although most teenagers get some form of acne, adults in... Read More
Your thoughts have a lot to do with why you... Read More
Acne is a skin disease, which is prevalent in all... Read More
Acne |