Acne is one of the most common and stubborn skin disorders. Acne can lead to several types of blemishes such as pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. These aren’t just irritating but may also scar the skin.
As per dermatologists, four factors contribute to the development of acne:
- Oil: If your skin produces too much oil, your pores can get clogged.
- Dead skin cells: A buildup of dead skin cells can also clog your skin pores
- Bacteria: Bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) may also lead to acne
- Inflammation: inflammation of the skin may also cause acne and redness in the skin
One or more of these causes might be responsible for your acne problem. You can consult a dermatologist for help. Depending upon the severity of your problems, you can use several products to control acne.
Types of Acne control products
Preventive or general skin care products:
The general skin care products can also help you control acne and prevent its occurrence. These include make-up removers, cleansers, and similar skin cleaning products. Such acne skin care products should be part of your daily routine to maintain healthy skin.
Some of these acne skin care products may act against the causes of acne. They may limit the production of sebum/oil, preventing clogging of skin pores. Such products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores. This helps in preventing the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
This category of skin care products also includes exfoliation products like skin peels. They help in removing dead skin cells. But don’t rub them in too vigorously or they may cause damage to the skin too.
Over-the-counter specialized acne skin care products:
There are some specialized acne skin care products that you can buy without any medical prescription. These include vanishing creams that can extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of such acne skin care products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. This helps control the bacteria and hence acne.
If you feel the need to use such specialized products, start with a product that has a lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%). Observe how your skin responds to it. Then you can progress to a stronger product if necessary.
You can also try Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers. These are popular among acne skin care products.
You might need to experiment with several specialized anti-acne products before you find one that is effective for you. If none of these over-the-counter products seems to work, contact a dermatologist.
On-prescription acne skin care products.
These are the skin care products that you can get only by prescription. These include ointments, medicines, and such topical treatment. In extreme cases, your dermatologist may also suggest a minor surgical procedure for removing the contents of pustules. Never do it yourself by squeezing or pricking your pimple. It can leave a permanent scar on your skin.
Hormonal changes may also lead to acne. So your doctor or dermatologist may also prescribe a hormone-based treatment for acne control. Such acne skin care products can prove effective in controlling some extreme cases of acne.
Conclusion:
Acne troubles some people more than the others. Skin type, hormones, diet, pollution, and such factors seem to play a role in the severity of acne. Keeping your skin clean, using good skin care products, and staying away from unhealthy food choices may help prevent or control acne. Stay away from junk food and food high in sugar and oil content. Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet full of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. If you have acne, try the acne skin care products mentioned above or consult a dermatologist.
