Acne is a common skin problem which can be prevented or treated effectively using suitable products and making proper changes in your lifestyle especially on diet. The main causes of acne break out are increased level of sebum or oil production and the clogging of skin pores. Clogging of pores leads bacterial development and cause acne.
Acne can be tackled easily and there are loads of skin care products available in the market today. Acne skin care products are classified into three broad categories.
* Preventive or general acne skin care products
* Over-the-counter, specialized skin care products
* On-prescription medicines
Preventive Acne Care Products
Taking preventive measures for acne break out is the easiest method to follow. The general skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne. These are also the products which are usually part of your make-up kit and daily routine.
Some of these are formulated to act like an acne care product. These products act against the causes of acne e.g. limiting the production of sebum or oil and preventing the clogging of skin pores. Basically these products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and hence hamper the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.
Over the Counter Medications
Many specialized over-the counter products are available in the market for acne skin care. They are sold without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of acne causing bacteria. You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popula. You might have to try a few, before fixing a product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist.
On-Prescription Acne Care Products
On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment. Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment because sometimes hormonal changes also cause acne. Most of the time prescription medicines are known to be very effective in treating acne.
By drinking plenty of water and following a nutrient rich fat free diet, acne break out can be prevented to some extent naturally. Drinking enough water helps to flesh out all the toxins and impurities from the body keeping the skin clean and healthy.
Never try to squeeze or break an acne by yourself, it can lead to permanent skin damage.. Always try to keep face and the overall skin clean and fresh using gentle cleansers. This will prevent acne break out due to clogging of skin pores. For acnes due to hormonal changes or imbalance, hormone based prescription treatment is only the effective remedy.