Acne Treatments Reviewed
We inspected hundreds of the best selling acne treatments and chose the most effective solutions. We do the research, check the quality, and determine the top products on the market. Our goal is to remove the guesswork from product shopping, because when you’ve got health problems you need a cure fast, not a cabinet full of products that don’t work.
Top Acne Treatments (in order of superiority):
Clearasil
Clearasil has a vast array of products to eliminate stubborn acne. Both creams and pads can be harsh, which can be especially problematic for those with sensitive skin. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in most Clearsil products (and many acne products in general), with benzoyl peroxide used in extra strength products.
Both salicyclic acid and benzoyl peroxide are generally considered safe, but they may dry the skin out or damage it outright. As such, proper acne treatment with Clearasil products hinges on choosing the proper product for your skin type and the severity of your acne. Clearasil’s website (www.clearasil.us) allows you to input facts about your skin, as well as the type of acne problem you have, and find results on which products may be best for you.
As always, a website is not a replacement for a doctor, so visiting a dermatologist will make the task of choosing products easier and more effective.
Stridex
Stridex products, like Clearasil, use salicylic acid in more mild products and benzoyl peroxide in stronger ones. In recent years, the Stridex line of products has grown, and they now offer things such as gels and facial scrubs in addition to pads, creams, etc. Some of these products specifically target stubborn acne that has been unresponsive to other treatments, which is useful for individuals with deep-rooted acne problems.
Like other acne medications, Stridex products can irritate the skin or dry it out. Two temptations should be avoided when using Stridex products. Firstly, using the products too often can remove the natural oils on the skin, which is unhealthy and may actually make the problem worse. Secondly, in response to drying some people may over-use moisturizers. If you want to use a moisturizer to combat drying from acne treatments, try using a gentle oil-free variety.
Before beginning any kind of acne treatment regimen, it’s a good call to see a dermatologist. Acne treatments may interact negatively with other medications, and may be ineffective if you choose the wrong product for you.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an herbal remedy, so it has not been subject to rigorous tests for safety and effectiveness. However, there is a strong traditional and anecdotal precedent for using tea tree oil for skin problems, and many researchers have claimed that its antibacterial nature helps eliminate acne. It does not contain the common ingredients in most other acne medications (specifically salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide), so it is ideal for some people who have problems with common medications damaging their skin.
Tea tree oil gets its antibacterial properties from a substance called terpinen-4-ol, found naturally in the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia plant. The oil from this plant has been a famous antibacterial substance among Aborigines for hundreds of generations. The precedent for using tea tree oil is common world-wide, and it’s a frequent component in shampoos, lotions, soaps, etc. However, pure tea tree oil frequently causes reactions, so it’s typically diluted. Various solutions with different strengths can be purchased. Five percent is typically recommended, though solutions of up to 15% essential oil can be purchased.
Tea tree oil is thought to be toxic when swallowed, so it should be kept safely away from pets and children. Depending on the strength of the solution, a skin reaction to tea tree oil occurs in some patients, so a doctor should be consulted before beginning home treatment. Furthermore, using very small doses of tea tree oil may not kill the bacteria, but cause an evolutionary pressure that forces it to adapt, meaning future tea tree oil treatments will be less effective (or not work at all.)
Tea tree oil, when used correctly, may be a solid alternative for those who don’t like using more common over the counter medications. However, its herbal nature means that using it correctly is imperative to getting good results, so always contact your dermatologist to make sure it’s done right.
