Over the Counter Acne Treatment

Over the counter acne treatments are a convenient and simple way of clearing your skin. They lie in between natural treatments and prescription treatments in terms of costs and risk.

For many people, their acne is minor enough such that it can be treated easily and effectively with topical over the counter (OTC) medicine. For more severe acne, OTC treatment can still work but it generally requires more effort with a bit of trial and error.

I must stress I've found that higher quality products make all the difference between having no acne and getting breakouts. This does not necessarily mean spending more money; You really have to look at each product on a case by case basis. There are way too many snake-oil salesmen and rip-offs in this market, especially online.

So what kinds of treatments can you get over the counter?

Cleansers

Gentle cleansing of the skin is the first vital step in preventing new breakouts from occurring. Irritation can lead to new acne formation, so avoid any harsh rubbing of the skin. Using a mild, water-soluble cleanser can get rid of oil and help prevent acne.

Avoid using any bar soap, because they can leave a residue or film on the skin which can clog pores and also block any anti-acne products you apply afterward. Bar soaps are more drying and also tend to be alkaline, which damages the acid mantle on your skin. This effect creates a better environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive. (Source: Cutis, July 2006, pages 34-40; Dermatologic Therapy, 2004, volume 17, supplemental 1, pages 16-25).

Through my own trials and experiments I've found the best facial cleanser that works for me.

Salicylic Acid (BHA)

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), and it is a fantastic over the counter acne treatment because it tackles many of the major surface causes of acne. There are many benefits of salicylic acid. It is mainly an exfoliant, but it also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as well. I also found that it works very well with benzoyl peroxide if used properly.

Glycolic/Lactic Acid (AHA)

Glycolic and Lactic acids are the two most popular form of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), which are similar to Salicylic acid. They also exfoliate to help prevent pores from clogging and causing new blemishes. AHA's tend to be more popular for body acne treatment or for people who don't like salicylic acid.

Here's more information on the beneficial effects of glycolic acid and lactic acid.

Benzoyl Peroxide (BP)

Benzoyl Peroxide is considered the king in topical OTC antibacterial acne treatment (Sources: Dermatologic Clinics, January 2009, pages 33-42; British Journal of Dermatology, August 2008, pages 480-481; and Dermatology Therapy, March-April 2008, pages 86-95).

BP prevents inflammation by penetrating the pore and killing the acne causing "p. acnes" bacteria. BP can be a little irritating to the skin but unlike antibiotics, there is no long-term bacterial resistance created.

Here is more information on my experience with a benzoyl peroxide gel treatment that I tried.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a more natural over the counter acne treatment alternative to benzoyl peroxide for killing acne causing bacteria and preventing inflammation/acne. There are many anecdotal accounts of some success by people online, but I've only been able to find one scientific study that showed a 5% concentration of tea tree oil is effective as a 5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide (Source: The Medical Journal of Australia, October 1990, pages 455-458).

Be careful though, as man "pure" tea tree oils are typically a 3% concentration diluted in a carrier oil. This may still be enough to have an effect, perhaps as strong as 2.5% BP - but that is only my guess.

Sulfur

Sulfur is an "old-school" type of over the counter acne treatment. While it does help disinfect your skin of bacteria, it does so at the cost of quite a bit of irritation. These days, there are more effective over the counter acne treatments that cause less irritation.

Resorcinol

This chemical compound is less known in the acne treatment world, although it is somewhat more popular for psoriasis and eczema. Resorcinol helps break down hard rough skin, and also acts as a disinfectant and antiseptic for bacteria.

Moisturizers

While moisturizers are technically not any sort of real acne treatment, they do play a vital role in your acne treatment regimen. Depending on how naturally oily your skin is, you may find that the topical treatments listed here dry out your skin too much. Dry skin can cause excess peeling, irritation, and inflammation - which is what we're trying to avoid in the first place.

Topical Retinoids

Topical OTC retinoid brands like Diacneal and Grean Cream are lower in strength than their prescription cousins, but they are a good alternative for people with mild/moderate acne or for those who can't handle full strength prescription doses. In a nutshell, they work my removing the outer layers of the epidermis, making it less likely for a clogged pore to occur.

If over the counter acne treatments prove to be ineffective for you, you can consider taking a look at your prescription treatment options. Of course, pursuing natural treatment to the best of your ability is always a good idea, because it will boost your overall level of health regardless of whether or not your acne goes away. I found combining OTC products with natural treatment was the best combination for me.

A multi-faceted approach to acne treatment will be your best shot at becoming acne free, so please consider all of your options.

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