By Andi Allegre Submitted On April 06, 2011
Most people turn to topical anti-acne products whenever a new pimple or zit appears. And it's not hard to understand why - topical treatments are relatively cheap and more accessible than other acne solutions. Some are even very effective against mild to moderate acne. To know which topical remedy may work for you, here's a comparison of the top topical acne treatments available today:
Benzoyl Peroxide Creams, Gels, and Ointments
A lot of people choose topical benzoyl peroxide as their top pick against mild to moderate acne. What makes this effective is that is kills the bacteria that cause pus-filled pimples and zits. It also helps eliminate excess oil and dead skin cells that clog the pore and cause acne. A downside to using this though is that it can cause dryness, irritation and redness to more sensitive skin. It can bleach clothes too. Topical products that use benzoyl peroxide include Clearasil, PanOxyl, ProActiv and ZapZyt.
Salicylic Acid Solutions
For a milder topical treatment, you can opt for salicylic acid solutions. This ingredient helps get rid of acne-causing buildup at the pores. This may be enough to get rid of whiteheads and blackheads, but for pimples and zits you can use it with benzoyl peroxide for more efficacy. Neutrogena's Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel and Clean & Clear's Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment are examples of salicylic acid-based topical products.
Tea Tree Oil Therapies
For those looking for a more natural topical acne solution, tea tree oil gels and soaps are a recommended choice. Like benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil works by killing the bacteria that makes acne red and inflamed. Studies have even shown that this natural ingredient is just as effective as its synthetic counterpart and with fewer side effects too. The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil line is a popular example of this topical treatment.
Tretinoin and Isotretinoin Creams and Gels
For more stubborn acne, many people turn to tretinoin and isotretinoin-based creams and gels. These work by promoting exfoliation at the pores, reducing inflammation, and lightening acne scars. Although they can have dramatic effects for some people, it comes at a price - most topical preparations require a prescription and are relatively more expensive. It can also cause severe peeling, dryness, puffiness, redness and irritation on the skin, especially when you expose yourself to the sun. Popular topical formulations with tretinoin and isotretinoin are Retin-A and Isotrex.
Topical Antibiotics
As their name indicates, topical antibiotics work by killing the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that cause the telltale swelling and redness in moderate to severe acne. Clindamycin and erythromycin are the more popular types of topical anti-acne antibiotics. In some countries topical tetracycline is also used against acne. These treatments can be found in gel, lotion, or solution form in different concentrations. Prolonged use of topical antibiotics may make bacteria more resistant to treatment however, making acne even harder to treat.
There you have it - the top topical treatments against acne. For a more complete list, you can read our guide to topical acne treatments. And keep in mind that topical treatments are just one method to getting rid of acne. To keep skin effectively acne-free you should look into more systemic treatments like supplements and acne vitamins too.
Andi Allegre is a blogger, freelance writer, and skin care addict guilty of spending more than half her income on beauty and skin products. Once an acne-riddled teenager herself, she has found acne relief with the help of acne vitamins. Visit Acne-Vitamins.com to learn more about vitamin B5 acne treatment [http://www.acne-vitamins.com]. This article may be republished provided that the author's information and all active links are left intact.
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