Acne is a very common problem. While it does not generally point to other
underlying health problems, it is still very distressing. Nearly all people who
have acne are interested in treating it. If you are one of those people, you are
most likely wondering what acne skin care product would work for you.
Fortunately, because most if not all forms of acne are treatable, there is at
least one acne skin care product on the market for every acne sufferer. It is
simply a matter of educating yourself about the most common acne skin care
products available.
There are many acne skin care products available at the drugstore or supermarket
that you can buy without a prescription. Most of these will contain benzoyl
peroxide, an ingredient commonly found in any given acne skin care product.
Before explaining how benzoyl peroxide works, it is helpful to know how acne is
formed.
Acne is triggered by a form of bacteria called propionibacterium acnes, or
P.acnes for short. P. acnes lives within human skin. If the sebaceous follicles
in your skin become clogged, it creates an environment where P. acnes can thrive
and multiply. When P. acnes multiplies, a blackhead (or closed comedone) forms,
which can lead to other types of pimples, such as whiteheads (open comedones),
pustules, or nodules, which are large, deep, and cyst-like. An acne skin care
product containing benzoyl peroxide can combat all of these types of pimples.
P. acnes cannot live in the presence of oxygen, which is why an acne skin care
product containing benzoyl peroxide works. Benzoyl peroxide is an oxygen-
releasing chemical in the organic peroxide family. When you apply benzoyl
peroxide to a pimple or a generally affected area, this chemical is absorbed
into your clogged pores and releases the oxygen that destroys P.acnes.
Over-the-counter acne skin care products that contain benzoyl peroxide are very
effective at treating mild acne outbreaks. These products are available in
several different concentrations, including 2.5%, 5%, and 10%. You can find an
acne skin care product containing benzoyl peroxide in the form of a cream, gel,
lotion, facemask, or cleansing bar. It is best to start with an acne skin care
product containing a 2.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide because it is less
irritating and treats mild acne very effectively.
If you do not get the results you want, you can move on to try an acne skin care
product containing either a 5% or 10% concentration. If these still do not work
for you, and you wish to try a product with an even higher concentration, you
will need to see a doctor. If the doctor believes you would benefit from an acne
skin care product with a high concentration of benzoyl peroxide, he or she will
write you a prescription.
Finally, you must be aware that there are some minor side effects when using an
acne skin care product containing benzoyl peroxide. These side effects include
dryness, redness, and irritation. If it turns out you are allergic to benzoyl
peroxide, you must stop using your acne skin care product immediately. In
addition, an acne skin care product containing benzoyl peroxide will make you
more sensitive to sunlight, so take care to avoid unprotected skin exposure when
you are outdoors.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to
serve as medical advice. If you need medical advice, please consult your doctor.
underlying health problems, it is still very distressing. Nearly all people who
have acne are interested in treating it. If you are one of those people, you are
most likely wondering what acne skin care product would work for you.
Fortunately, because most if not all forms of acne are treatable, there is at
least one acne skin care product on the market for every acne sufferer. It is
simply a matter of educating yourself about the most common acne skin care
products available.
There are many acne skin care products available at the drugstore or supermarket
that you can buy without a prescription. Most of these will contain benzoyl
peroxide, an ingredient commonly found in any given acne skin care product.
Before explaining how benzoyl peroxide works, it is helpful to know how acne is
formed.
Acne is triggered by a form of bacteria called propionibacterium acnes, or
P.acnes for short. P. acnes lives within human skin. If the sebaceous follicles
in your skin become clogged, it creates an environment where P. acnes can thrive
and multiply. When P. acnes multiplies, a blackhead (or closed comedone) forms,
which can lead to other types of pimples, such as whiteheads (open comedones),
pustules, or nodules, which are large, deep, and cyst-like. An acne skin care
product containing benzoyl peroxide can combat all of these types of pimples.
P. acnes cannot live in the presence of oxygen, which is why an acne skin care
product containing benzoyl peroxide works. Benzoyl peroxide is an oxygen-
releasing chemical in the organic peroxide family. When you apply benzoyl
peroxide to a pimple or a generally affected area, this chemical is absorbed
into your clogged pores and releases the oxygen that destroys P.acnes.
Over-the-counter acne skin care products that contain benzoyl peroxide are very
effective at treating mild acne outbreaks. These products are available in
several different concentrations, including 2.5%, 5%, and 10%. You can find an
acne skin care product containing benzoyl peroxide in the form of a cream, gel,
lotion, facemask, or cleansing bar. It is best to start with an acne skin care
product containing a 2.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide because it is less
irritating and treats mild acne very effectively.
If you do not get the results you want, you can move on to try an acne skin care
product containing either a 5% or 10% concentration. If these still do not work
for you, and you wish to try a product with an even higher concentration, you
will need to see a doctor. If the doctor believes you would benefit from an acne
skin care product with a high concentration of benzoyl peroxide, he or she will
write you a prescription.
Finally, you must be aware that there are some minor side effects when using an
acne skin care product containing benzoyl peroxide. These side effects include
dryness, redness, and irritation. If it turns out you are allergic to benzoyl
peroxide, you must stop using your acne skin care product immediately. In
addition, an acne skin care product containing benzoyl peroxide will make you
more sensitive to sunlight, so take care to avoid unprotected skin exposure when
you are outdoors.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to
serve as medical advice. If you need medical advice, please consult your doctor.