Are you the type of person who prefers to avoid using prescription medication for treating acne?
Most people start treating acne by looking for an over the counter acne treatment before paying more money for prescriptions and dealing with some of the more serious side effects of prescription acne medication.
If you’re looking for over the counter acne treatment options, you’re at the right place. Fortunately there are several options. They are as follows:
1. Kaolin
Kaolin is a little-known over the counter acne treatment that is definitely worth looking into. Kaolin is an extract from clay that absorbs oil from your skin and cleans out bacteria at the same time.
Kaolin is particular good at cleansing skin and helping to reduce acne with bentone gel.
2. Salicyclic acid
Salicylic acid is used to treat various conditions including acne. Salicyclic acid acne treatment comes in thin pads soaked in the liquid medication. I used this form of over the counter acne treatment the most during my adolescent years. Actually, I used it even when I didn’t have outbreaks because it’s great for prevention as well.
Salicyclic acid breaks down blackheads and whiteheads. Moreover, it prevents bacteria build up in your skin’s oil inside pores. With less bacteria build up you are taking a preventative measure for your acne.
3. Resorcinol
Fortunately resorcinol is an OTC acne treatment. The way this treatment works is it breaks down hardened skin so that it can be removed from in and around follicle areas. Once hardened skin is removed, it reduces clogging in the follicle which helps prevent acne.
Resorcinol is most effective for mild acne resulting from oily skin. If you get the right resorcinol product, it also exfoliates for keeping skin clean.
4. Alcohol and Acetone
Although not as effective (generally) as resorcinol and salicyclic acid, alcohol and acetone are still used to treat acne.
Alcohol cleans skin surfaces by functioning as an antibacterial. It also removes oil from the skin. The trouble with this over the counter acne treatment is that it doesn’t remove acne-causing oil from below the skin. Therefore it efficacy is limited.
5. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide is ideal for mild acne by removing bacteria on your skin and inside your skin. It also removes dead skin cells. Dead skin clogs skin’s pores which backs up oil and results in increased bacteria. By keeping skin clean of dead skin cells, you can diminish your acne as well as prevent the onset of acne.
One advantage to using Benzoyl Peroxide is it doesn’t dry out skin too much as long as you don’t use it too much (in other words, follow the directions).
With respect to all OTC acne treatments mentioned above, it helps to read the directions before using. Some treatments require that you clean your face with regular soap and water first. There may also be contraindications (i.e. not to use with other medications).
As you can see, you have several over the counter acne treatment options to try before escalating the intensity of acne treatment with prescription medication.