Acne affects almost 17 million people in the United States. Accordingly, pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies have targeted this large market by developing a vast range of skin care products to clean and clear your skin of acne.

In this article, we will cover fads, brands, types of acne products and ingredients that are found in the best acne products to help you tackle that daunting cleansers aisle. After reading, you should have a general idea of the non acne medication options available.

Over the Counter Acne Products

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide, one of the most common over the counter acne solutions, works by killing the acne-causing bacteria P. acnes and by removing excess skin cells. The P. acnes bacteria cannot withstand aerobic (with oxygen) environments. By introducing oxygen into the follicle, benzoyl peroxide kills this bacteria. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide dries out the skin and causes flaking, in addition to causing some level of structural damage to the skin by its release of free radicals. Proactiv's infomercial has made their product popular; their main product line utilizes benzoyl peroxide.

Salicylic Acid

Pimple products with salicylic acid assist the skin in shedding excess skin cells more efficiently, thereby reducing the likelihood that skin cells will combine with sebum and form pore-clogging keratin. Salicylic acid is effective when found in whitehead and blackhead products. The popular brands utilizing salicylic acid include Stridex, Noxzema and Oxy.

Alcohol and Acetone

Alcohol and acetone, typically found together, are used as oily skin acne treatments, typically toners and astringents. The alcohol kills bacteria while the acetone reduces excess oil.

Sulfur and Resorcinol

Sulfur and resorcinol are also usually sold together as an acne product. Sulfur has been used for more than 50 years as a way to become acne free but how it works has still not been agreed upon. Resorcinol prevents whiteheads and blackheads by removing excess dead skin cells. Clearsil's 'medicated' blemish line uses sulfur and resorcinol as ingredients.

Natural Acne Products

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic and anti-fungal when applied topically. As the skin can be sensitive at the beginning to tea tree oil, begin with low strengths, diluting with water or aloe vera.

Licorice Root Extract

Licorice root extract is an antibacterial and kills the P. acnes bacteria. It also works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antioxidant and inhibitor of sebum.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antiseptic that also contains sulfur.

Alpine Willow Herb Extract

Alpine willow extract is a botanical source of keratolytic salicylic acid and also serves as an antimicrobial.

Helix Aspersa Muller Glycoconjugates

All top acne products, not exclusively natural treatments, should include this miracle ingredient. It stimulates skin cell reparation (especially beneficial if you should be tormented by acne scars) and helps to moderate the body's inflammatory response to infection. This moderating action helps reduce the amount of damaging chemicals released by white blood cells when fighting against foreign bodies, effectively shielding adjacent healthy skin against unnecessary harm. It also exfoliates the skin naturally with enzymes, preventing skin pores from becoming blocked, and cleanses the skin of bacteria without causing extreme drying.

With so many acne products being sold, it can be difficult to find the right treatment that targets acne causes. BIOSKINCLEAR is a natural acne solution that is both effective and free of nasty side effects. In addition, it is made to comprehensively remove and prevent acne and rosacea, in addition to being a healing acne scar cream.