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Basic Facts About Controlling Acne

By: Frank Senturi Teenagers have enough to worry about without adding acne control to that list. For some, acne control is only a passing phase and once the surge of hormones goes down, the acne also decreases. But for others, acne control becomes a lifelong battle. There are many ways to treat acne regardless of how mild or severe the case may be.

The acne sufferer must both keep the pores of the skin unclogged and work on unclogging already infected pores. One must keep at bay the bacteria that cause the infection and redness of acne and reduce any redness that is already present. The best line of attack is to apply preventive measures to avoid an acne breakout altogether.

Washing the face twice daily using a gentle soap and warm water will go a long way toward preventing the clogging of your skin pores. Beyond that, cleansing your skin with benzoyl peroxide will also help it dry out. Benzoyl peroxide is the active substance found in cleaning wipes such as Oxy Pads. A major benefit of benzoyl peroxide is that it can be used in conjunction with other acne treatment products.

Another popular method of acne control is exfoliating. Simply put, it is a process that removes dead skin cells from your skin's surface. It is these dead cells that can clog the pores of the skin and cause acne. The result of exfoliating is skin that is much softer, smoother, and healthy looking. Just as a word of caution: the compounds in exfoliating agents can be quite harsh, and therefore it is wise to test a new product on a small area of your skin before using it on your entire face, just in case there is a negative reaction.

Some products for acne control have a double purpose. Exfoliating products not only remove the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, but they also offer the benefits of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory products. Both of these ingredients can help to treat the existing acne and reduce the redness and swelling that often accompanies an acne attack.

Other common ingredients found in products to treat acne are sulfur and azelaic acid. One ingredient to be cautious of using on the face is salicylic acid. While this ingredient can help to prevent the pores from clogging, it is very irritating to the tender skin on the face.

Some people with severe acne may need to consult a dermatologist for help with their acne outbreaks. A dermatologist may suggest a cleansing program, use lights or lasers to treat and prevent breakouts, or prescribe special acne medication. If you are prescribed medication, you should be wary of the side effects, as most acne medication can be very harsh, even toxic.

If you don't want to go to a dermatologist for prescription treatments, you can try some of the over-the-counter acne products first. You might find that one of the more inexpensive and easily available acne care products like benzoyl peroxide can work well for you, and you'll avoid the dangers and possible side effects of harsh acne medication.