Skin Care Truths

If you have acne, you do not just get the first acne treatment product you see in the grocery. Chances are, things will just get worst instead of getting better.

There are things you should take into consideration first before choosing an effective acne product. What are these?

1. Know your skin type.

People with oily skin should choose a gel-based product. Those with dry skin should choose a cream.

If you are like those people who have a combination skin, choose the acne product that best works with the afflicted area. If your acne flares up in the oily spots, choose a gel. But if it is the dry skin that gets the zits, choose a cream.

2. Some mild creams can be used as a preventative measure. But most acne creams are too harsh to be used before you see or feel a zit. Read the labels carefully and only apply the medication to places that are acne prone or those that already have acne.

3. If the acne is extremely painful, or if it becomes painful after trying on any acne product, try taking an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen. Then go consult a doctor immediately.

4. If your skin has large pustules that appear in clusters, you may require treatment by a doctor. This is especially so if the acne is painful, causes scars, and if you cannot seem to get rid of a blemish.

Medicated acne products versus natural acne products.

Medicated acne products contain a chemical that dries up the pimple while acting as an exfoliant at the same time.

The most common ingredients used for this purpose are benzoyl peroxide and salycic acid. People with sensitive skin should choose a product that contains salycic acid over one containing benzoyl peroxide.

The amount of drying chemical added to a product is measured in terms of percentage. Stronger creams have a higher percentage or concentration of the active ingredient.

Contrary to the “more is better” belief, the highest concentration is not always the most effective. Take note that it will all depend on your skin type and the sort of acne you are dealing with. Some acne will not respond well to these acne products and must be treated by a doctor, dermatologist or skin specialist.

Natural acne products contain a variety of naturally occurring ingredients, usually plant extracts that work to dry up the pimple and sooth the effected area.

Most of these products are blends of natural ingredients like Vitamin E, grapeseed oil, calendula, aloe vera or witch hazel and essential oils. But there are a few essential oils that work well in treating acne when used alone or with a single carrier oil.

Natural treatments contain ingredients to dry the blemish, sooth the redness and add moisture to the irritated area. It is important to note that just because a product is natural does not mean that it is mild.

People with sensitive skin should be every bit as careful when using a natural treatment as they are when using one that is medicated.

Natural products can be very irritating to sensitive skin and can even cause reactions in people with allergies like hay fever. As with medicated treatments, if a natural treatment makes the acne worse or causes a painful reaction you should stop using that acne product and see a doctor right away.

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