Acne Articles
Are Acne Creams Effective?
Many people feel that acne creams can be very helpful in keeping your skin clear of blemishes. Here are a few tips to help you keep your skin looking its best.
The first thing you need to do when choosing an acne cream is to read the ingredients. Many products contain only herbs and natural ingredients while others use chemicals and synthetic formulations. Only you can decide what is best for yourself.
One common natural ingredient is tea tree oil. This natural product can actually kill the bacteria on your skin that contributes to acne without leaving your skin, dry or irritated.
Another herbal preparation that works well for acne is calendula. Available over the counter in a variety of different creams, calendula works well at soothing irritated skin and promotes healing.
Vitamins A and E, which are known as antioxidants, can also be very effective at controlling acne and reducing inflammation.
Drugstore acne medications include such well-known names as Clearasil, ProActiv and Phisoderm. Most of these preparations include benzoyl peroxide as their active ingredient.
Benzoyl Peroxide is effective at killing the bacteria in and around the pores in your skin. It also breaks down the dead skin cells that may be clogging your pores.
The drawbacks of benzoyl peroxide is that it is so effective at removing the oil from your skin, many users report very dry skin as a result. If this happens, be sure to follow up with an oil free moisturizer.
Whenever using any acne cream, it's important to always start with clean skin. Wash your face thoroughly with cool water and a soft washcloth. Pay particular attention to the areas of your skin that tend to break out. Make sure you treat those areas extra gently.
Once your skin is clean, apply the acne cream directly to the affected area. Massage it in gently, being careful not to rub too hard.
Consistency is very important in an acne treatment program. Regardless of which acne cream you choose, you'll get the best results if you use it twice a day, every day, for at least one week. If you don't see improvement after one week, you may want to try an alternative lotion or cream.
Remember, if you ever experienced any severe burning, itching or peeling of your skin, discontinue the acne treatment immediately and contact your physician.
