A few spot treatments that work
Sure, spot treatments may not actually prevent future acne or promote clear skin in the long term, but sometimes you just need to get rid of that one pesky zit fast. For those times it’s always helpful to have a decent spot treatment on-hand. Here are a few suggestions:
Benzoyl Peroxide Cream- One of the most popular spot treatments, and a main active ingredient in common products such as Neutrogena’s “On-the-Spot” cream, Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) remains one of the most reliable spot treatments out there. You can typically find BP for much cheaper online than what you will pay for the name brands in stores, and it still works just as well. A 2.5% concentration is usually all you need, so don’t nuke your skin with higher concentrations, as studies have found that while higher percentages dry out your skin more, they don’t actually increase BP’s acne-fighting properties.
Tea Tree Oil - Often referred to as an all-natural alternative to BP, tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial agent that makes for an effective acne spot treatment. Some users have found tea tree oil to be less abrasive to their skin compared with BP, while still just as effective at stopping acne. Tea tree oil has a powerful smell that turns some users off, but it absorbs quickly into the skin, and personally I don’t mind the scent at all. It may be a good idea to stick to applying this one only before bed if it bothers you.
Green Tea Cream - A lesser known spot treatment compared with the other two, green tea cream has been shown in a number of tests to again produce results similar to BP in combating acne. Green tea is one of the best herbal antioxidants out there, and using green tea extract (usually at concentrations of about 3%) in topical form, has been shown to have powerful antibacterial properties. Of course, actually drinking green tea is a good idea to supplement your clear skin diet, but the topical form is best when it comes to the fast results needed by a spot treatment.
