Acne Information

Proven Acne Medications


There are a plethora of acne medications currently on the market. Some of these are prescription medications, such as accutane. Others are over the counter chemical compounds, such as benzoyl peroxide. There are even herbal based acne medications, such as tea tree oil. However, many of them are not as effective as advertised.

Part of the problem with finding the right acne medication is that there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to acne. Different people respond differently to the various medications and treatments. However, there are several acne medications that have been clinically proven to be effective in treating acne, and these are the medications that will stop acne for most people.

Prescription Acne Treatments

Of the prescription medications, Accutane is one of the best. It is a chemical derivative of vitamin A, and is often referred to as the "miracle drug" for acne. Accutane is most effective in the treatment of severe cystic acne, and not to be taken lightly. For some people, the many side effects can be worse than the acne itself. However, this is one treatment that works.

Retin A and Renova are also prescription medications. These are topical derivatives of vitamin A, and are also good at clearing up fine lines, wrinkles, and slight skin discolorations. One of the biggest downsides is sunlight and other topical acne treatments must be avoided while using either of them. However, they are proven to reduce acne.

Birth control pills and antibiotics round out the acne medications most commonly prescribed. Birth control pills are used exclusively by women to help regulate hormones, and therefore lessen the hormonally related acne that many women experience. Antibiotics work by attacking the acne causing p.bateria as it grows deep in skin pores.

Over the Counter Acne Treatments

There are some over the counter acne treatments that work well. The two best are benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.

Benzoyl peroxide works by penetrating the skin pores, and eliminating the acne causing bacteria that grows deep in the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is the most commonly used acne treatment because it is affordable, easily available, and nearly as effective as most prescription medication.

Salicylic acid works by removing the top layers of dead skin cells. This helps the skin renew itself faster, and decreases the chance for pore blockage and a subsequent acne breakout.

Herbal Acne Treatments

The vast majority of acne treatments fall under the heading of "herbal" acne treatments. The reason is because of the lack or regulation for herbal products. This can be very frustrating to the general consumer, because it is impossible to tell which herbal treatment will work to stop acne, and which ones will do very little at all.

Of every herbal treatment available, there are only 2 that are currently proven to stop acne. Tea tree oil will help get rid of acne, and so will green tea cream.

Tea tree oil is an oil derived from one tea tree plant that is unique to Australia. For several hundred years it was touted as a cure all, until penicillin was introduced to fight bacteria. However, tea tree oil has seen a recent revival due in part to study conducted in 1990 that proved it is as effective in treating acne as 5% benzoyl peroxide. Furthermore, it had none of the side effects that benzoyl peroxide does.

Green tea cream has been validated more recently, at the 2003 American Academy of Dermatology conference. It was proven that green tea is as effective in treating acne as a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution. Though the study has not been corroborated yet, it demonstrated that there is another herbal treatment besides tea tree oil.

These are some of the acne medications proven to work. For those who are experiencing acne, any of the aforementioned treatments would be well worth trying.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and the editor of http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times

When 'Younger' Skin Is Not a Blessing
New York Times
“I've got uneven skin that's also oily with constant blackheads and cystic acne bumps on my chin,” Ms. Wolter said. And her once-simple regimen now involves a complicated product list: face brush, acne cover-up, face mask, cortisone shots and ...

and more »


Ask Dr. K: Knowing rosacea triggers lessens impact
GoErie.com
Q I thought I had adult acne, but a doctor diagnosed me with rosacea. I'd like to learn more. A Rosacea is a long-lasting skin condition that causes inflammation and redness of the face. Rosacea tends to begin in adults over 30, but it can affect ...
Identifying rosacea triggers helps lessen its impactLake County News Sun

all 3 news articles »


iPhone App Video Review: My Little Hero
Appolicious
My Little Hero is a great new action adventure game from Acne Play, published by NCSoft. It's a highly imaginative title with unique ideas and presentation. The simple 3D visuals are well done, and the music creates the perfect tone.

and more »


Isotretinoin. Acne Drugs Linked to Risk of Eye Problems
SBWire (press release)
New York , NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/18/2012 -- Reuters have reported that Isotretinoin can double the risk of eye problems in acne patients. Reuters quoted Dr. Rick Fraunfelder, a professor at Oregon Health and Science University and an expert in eye ...



Daily Mail

How almost HALF of US women suffer from adult acne (but the good news is that ...
Daily Mail
By Kristie Lau Almost half of US woman aged between 21 and 30 suffer from clinical acne, a new study has showed. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that 45per cent of women in their 20s are seriously affected by pimples.

and more »


Racked NY

Acne Preps for Its Greene Street Relocation With a Moving Sale
Racked NY
Acne's new Greene Street store is slated to open this month, which means that someone's gotta move all of that merchandise out of the smaller, original store a few doors down. To save themselves the hassle, the brand has announced it'll be holding a ...



CoralActives Acne Products Now Available at Kinney Drugs
Albany Times Union
CoralActives is proud to announce distribution of its Complete Acne Therapy System which includes their patent pending Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser, their patent pending 6% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Serum, their 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleansing Bar and ...

and more »


A Look Back at Accutane Side Effects Lawsuits
Accutane Lawsuit Center - Injury Litigation News 24/7
When Accutane (isotretinoin) was first approved by the FDA as an anti-acne drug in 1982, it was seen as an effective solution for teens and adults suffering from the embarrassment of severe acne and problem skin that didn't respond to other treatments.

and more »


Technorati

Fight Acne with Blue Light Therapy
Technorati
Acne is a frustrating condition that can strike people of all ages, gender, and race causing undue stress, embarrassment, and even low self-esteem. It's a debilitating condition that goes way beyond the aesthetic appearance of the skin.



Glaxo's Acne Drug Gets US Nod
Zacks.com
Fabior Foam, 0.1% is approved as a topical treatment for acne vulgaris in patients 12 years and above. The approval was based on data from two pivotal phase III studies conducted with Fabior Foam. The 12-week, randomized and double-blind trials were ...
US FDA approves Stiefel's Fabior Foam, 0.1% to treat acnepharmabiz.com
FDA backs new acne application 'Fabior Foam'CosmeticsDesign.com USA
GSK gets approval for acne treatment in USAPharma Times
MENAFN.COM
all 13 news articles »

Google News

Acne | site map | Tattoos
© 2006