Acne Skin Care Products: What's Good and What's Bad About Them

Acne skin care products can range from basic facial cleansers to dietary supplements to topical creams and even oral medications. Despite the numerous options, some will prove ineffective on certain patients, while some will even cause side-effects. Choosing the one that can cure the zits and prevent any adverse effect is a tricky task. Below, we highlighted some of the more common cures and gave a lowdown on their pros and cons.

1) Acne skin care products that contain benzoyl peroxide. These products prevent the pores of the skin from getting blocked by dead skin cells and are also effective in getting rid of Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that causes pimples. However, use of soaps or facial creams that contain benzoyl peroxide can cause skin redness, irritation and even drying.

2) Antibiotics, oral and topical. These acne solution products are formulated to kill P. acnes. Some forms of these are also designed to prevent inflammation. The negative side of antibiotics is that, supposedly, the bacteria eventually build a resistance against them and they can prove ineffective in the long run. They are also said to cause teeth discoloration. Oral antibiotics, in particular, can cause stomach problems.

3) Herbal supplements. There are a number of dietary supplements made from organic ingredients available in the market today. Most of them are in capsule forms and are marketed as all-natural cures for pimples. In terms of side-effects, not much has been reported and these formulas are believed to be safe. However, these supplements are usually ineffective, particularly for inflammatory and severe acne.

4) Retinoids, oral and topical. Retinoids work by normalizing the lifecycle of follicle cells and by preventing pore blockage. Between oral and topical forms, the latter is said to be safer and has less side effects. Oral retinoids have been proven to be highly effective in some severe cases of acne, but the side-effects have deterred some patients from using them. Retinoids can cause skin irritation, particularly if used without the guidance of a dermatologist. There have been some claims that the oral form of this product can cause liver damage, although these claims remain unproven.

5) Products that contain salicylic acid. One of the better known solutions for pimples, salicylic acid-containing formulas act by sloughing off dead skin cells to prevent them from blocking the pores. The main problem with these solutions is that they can cause dryness, skin redness and are deemed too strong for some patients, especially those who have sensitive skin. It is not recommended to people with dry skin since it can do more harm than good.

Acne skin care products vary in how they work and in their level of effectiveness. Before making the decision to purchase any of these products, a patient should first consult a doctor or a dermatologist to understand the potential side effects that each can cause.


More info http://acnehealthtreatment.blogspot.com