Acne Control Basics

Acne control for some is easy, while others with severe cases of acne struggle on a daily basis to keep outbreaks under control. Still others fall somewhere in between the two groups of extremes, suffering only from the occasional outbreak. No matter which category you fall into, acne is not pleasant and finding the one way to treat acne that works can be a difficult and frustrating process.

The essential methods of acne control are to keep pores from getting clogged, unclog infected pores, attack the bacteria causing the infection, or reduce the redness associated with acne.  There are many preventative measures you can take to reduce the chance of having an acne breakout in the first place.  Gently washing your face with soap and water once or twice a day will help prevent your pores from being clogged.  Beyond this, benzoyl peroxide, which is the active ingredient in Oxy pads and many other cleaning wipes, helps to further clean your skin as well as dry it out.  One of the biggest advantages of using benzoyl peroxide is that it can be used in combination with other products to treat acne.

Exfoliating is another very popular method of acne control.  Exfoliating removes the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.  These dead cells can cause acne breakouts by clogging extremely active oil glands, especially those on your face.  Exfoliating can also make you skin much smoother, softer, and healthy.  However, some exfoliating agents can be very harsh, so a new exfoliating product should first be tested on a small area for reactions before using on your entire face. 

Some products for acne control have a dual purpose. Exfoliates not only remove the dead skin cells from the surface, they are also offer the benefits of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory products. Both of these ingredients can help to treat the existing acne and reduce the redness and swelling that often accompanies a breakout. Other common ingredients 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 too irritating to facial skin.
 
Some people with severe acne may need to consult a dermatologist for help with their acne control.  A dermatologist may suggest a cleansing regime, use lights or lasers to treat and prevent breakouts, or prescribe medication.  If you are prescribed medication, you should be wary of the side effects, as most acne medication is very harsh, even toxic.  Some of these numerous side effects are somewhat discomforting, but others are very permanent.  A few acne prescriptions have even been linked with depression, sometimes resulting in suicide. 

Dermatologists may feel like a last resort for acne control, and the prescription medications do have their drawbacks. If you feel that you're not ready to take that step, over-the-counter treatments for acne care, such as products containing benzoyl peroxide or Azelaic acid, might help you best. Should those solutions not be of help, visit a dermatologist before scarring occurs.

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