Acne Medicine for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

Acne medicine is usually your first thought when acne begins to develop. By the time you see a doctor, you have tried a drawerful of over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Acne (acne vulgaris) is often treated by a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases and disorders of the skin.

Dermatologists (skin care professionals) treat all kinds of acne sufferers, particularly severe cases, such as "adult acne" (acne rosacea), cystic acne and body acne.

Doctors who are general or family practitioners, pediatricians, or internists may use herbal acne medications to treat patients with milder cases of pimples.

Acne Medicine Should Reduce Painful Lesions...

The main goal of the best acne medicine is to prevent acne scars. Besides scarring, additional goals are to reduce the number of painful lesions and to minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease.

Doctors often use drug therapy as the first choice of acne medicine for treating acne. Drug therapy is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne: abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles (pores), increased oil production, the bacterium P. acnes, and inflammation.

Depending on the severity of your acne, the doctor will recommend the best home remedies, one of several OTC, prescription topical acne medications (acne medicine applied to the skin) or a prescription systemic medication (medication taken by mouth) as your acne solution. The doctor may suggest using more than one topical medication or using both an oral medication and a topical medication at the same time to get rid of zits.

Most Common Topical OTC Acne Medicine...

Benzoyl Peroxide
It's one of the most common topical acne remedies used to treat acne and it's best used for mild cases of acne. Benzoyl peroxide is best at killing P. acnes and may reduce oil production. It may take about two weeks to begin working and must be used consistently to keep acne away. It is available in cream, gel, lotion and soap form.

Salicylic Acid
This acne medicine helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the oil glands. In mild acne, salicylic acid helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Just like benzoyl peroxide, you must continue it's use in order to keep the skin exfoliated and keep it unclogged. Salicylic acid comes in cream, lotion and pad form.

Sulfur
Sulfur is usually one of the ingredients in other OTC acne treatment. This may be due in part because of it's strong odor. Sulfur helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.

Resorcinol
Resorcinol helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Resorcinol acne medicine is usually an ingredient in other popular OTC acne medicine.

*Brand names included here are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that these products are endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or any other Government agency. Other popular medications not mentioned above include: Proactive, Accutane, Differin and Murad. If a particular new brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.

How Topical OTC Medicine Works...

Benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur are the most common topical OTC acne medicine used to treat acne. Each works a little differently. Benzoyl peroxide is best at killing P. acnes and may reduce oil production.

Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur help break down blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the oil glands. Topical acne medication is available in many forms, such as gel, lotion, cream, soap, or pad.

Sometimes, acne medicine may cause side effects such as skin irritation, burning, or redness. Some people find that the side effects lessen or go away with continued use of the medication. Severe or prolonged side effects should be reported to the physician.

OTC topical acne medicine are usually moderately effective in treating acne when used regularly. Patients must keep in mind that it can take between 4 and 8 weeks before they notice an improvement in their skin.

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