Topical Acne Treatments

Topical acne treatments generally work in one of two different ways, depending on their active ingredients. Each has different strengths, weaknesses and risks involved. The right topical treatment can certainly have positive effects in diminishing the appearance of acne, but none of these types of acne treatments can effectively fight the root causes of acne underneath your skin. Also, your skin is more likely to adapt to topical treatments than to internal ones, and so many experience only temporary results.

The first and most popular type of topical acne treatment is the use of topical antibiotics. These treatments work by targeting the bacteria that forms in acne pustules, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). By killing the P. acnes that grow during acne formation, topical antibiotics reduce the small infections that form in your pores, unclogging your pores in the process.

The most widely used topical antibiotics for acne are Clindamycin and Erythromycin. One or both of these ingredients is usually present in 1-2% concentrations within many over-the-counter creams and gels, and serves as a light antibiotic against acne. Applied twice a day, these treatments can be effective against mild acne, but are less potent than another topical antibiotic, Benzoyl Peroxide. On the positive side, negative side effects are less likely when using these treatments, and generally only involve slight irritation.

Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) is a more powerful antibiotic that has become popular in some of the leading brand acne treatments, such as Proactiv. BP works in much the same way as lighter antibiotics, but has proven to be more potent against P. acnes. Depending on the form of your treatment (liquid, cream, gel, etc.), BP may be present in concentrations ranging from 2.5-20%. Higher concentrations may not always be more effective, and involve a higher risk of side effects.

For people with mild acne, Benzoyl Peroxide usually does provide clearer skin. However, even with BP, medium and severe cases of acne are usually resistant, and people with mild acne can find that their skin adapts, especially with lower concentrations. Side effects such as dry skin and irritation are a common risk among users. When using BP products, it's best to avoid other skin-drying products (such as harsh soaps or aftershaves), as well as spending much time out in the sun.

While BP can be effective against current acne, it does not do anything to enhance your skin's natural resistance to bacteria, nor does it effect the production or metabolism of skin oil, thus it cannot prevent future acne from forming.

The other common active ingredient found in many topical acne treatments is an exfoliating agent. The two most common exfoliating agents for acne are Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid. Rather than attacking underlying bacteria, these mild acids work by causing the top layer of your skin to peel away, removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores. Here again this means of topical treatment is only effective against mild cases of acne, but it can still produce results against acne that lies near the surface of your skin.

Since your skin typically sheds in an uneven fashion, exfoliating acids can even the shedding of your skin and help reduce the build-up of dead cells in problem areas. These treatments may be an alternative for those whose skin has adapted to topical antibiotics. However, as with other topical treatments, exfoliating agents will not prevent future acne from forming. Also, frequent side effects include dry, flaky, and irritated skin. Again, it is not recommended to use these treatments alongside other agents that could cause drying.

When your skin is over-dried or irritated, it is more prone to attracting additional ace. One of the unique things about vitamin B5 acne treatment is that it prevents acne formation without causing dry skin. This is because while B5 enhances your body's ability to metabolize skin oil, it does not directly attack your glands. Your body will only continue to eliminate oil until it reaches a safe, optimal level. In this way, you eliminate the excess oil that causes acne, but also keep a healthy oil level present in your skin, preventing dryness. B5 is the only acne treatment proven to achieve this.

Acne-Vitamins.com

10901 Brighton Bay Blvd. 7303

St. Petersburg, FL 33716

A Dietary Supplement
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.