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Acne is a very common and often frustratingly long-lasting condition that usually begins around puberty. You will be relieved to hear that it is also...
Acne is a very common and often frustratingly long-lasting condition that usually begins around puberty. You will be relieved to hear that it is also a very treatable condition. Whether you are trying to understand the best ways of getting rid of acne or you just want to find out how to rid your face of acne, in this article we discuss some of the over-the-counter and prescription options you can try. The right acne treatment for you will depend on several factors including your skin type, how severe the acne is, and how you respond to treatment.
You get acne when pores become blocked by dead skin cells and naturally occurring oils on the skin. During puberty, hormone changes can mean that your body produces more of this oil hence why acne is often linked to puberty. The oil and dead skin can stick together to form an oily and airless ‘plug’ in the pores which is a favourable environment for bacteria to grow and spread.
This is what produces the blackheads, whiteheads, or cysts. As this happens, your body’s immune system tries to protect you and respond to the bacterial overgrowth. This leads to the signs of inflammation such as swelling, redness, and pus that are associated with acne. Several factors including hormonal changes, genetics, or skincare products can also contribute to the development of acne. Understanding the root of the problem is important for the treatment of acne long-term and can help you choose from the excellent acne treatments available.
For people with mild acne, over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatment is enough to keep the acne or any flares under control. Hence it is recommended as first-line treatment and often forms the basis of long-term acne management. Let’s go through some of the best skin acne products that you can get over-the-counter.
One of the top spot treatments for acne, Benzoyl Peroxide might sound like an intense name for an acne cream but it is actually a topical antiseptic. This means that it can help to kill acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation, help to loosen the ‘plugs’ and unblock pores. This makes benzoyl peroxide acne creams an effective first-line treatment for many people.
You may have heard of retinol on social media due to its popularity as an anti-aging skincare product. However, it can also be used for acne. Retinol over-the-counter is a weaker form of vitamin A; it may help to improve the smoothness of the skin and reduce clogged pores. It is advised to introduce any retinol product slowly and gradually as it can irritate the skin. However, cosmetic (or over-the-counter) retinol is also not as strong as prescription retinol for acne.
Understandably, a spot on treatment for acne is very popular as people look to target individual spots quickly. Many of these products marketed as spot treatment usually contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. While these ingredients can help to reduce the swelling or redness, it is unlikely that even the best on the spot treatment for acne can help prevent new breakouts unless you also use some form of full face treatment.
In terms of great skin products for acne, there is no one-size fits all magical product to fix acne. To keep acne under control, you will benefit most from having a good skincare routine. For example:
If you have mild acne and you have tried over-the-counter options for several weeks and your acne has not improved or has worsened, then the approach to best cure acne may be a prescription medication. Similarly, if your acne is moderate or severe, over-the-counter options may not be enough to treat your acne. In these cases, it may be helpful to consult your doctor who can advise on questions specific to you such as the best acne care for adults.
You should consult your healthcare provider or GP if:
As discussed earlier, retinol can be helpful for the treatment of acne. The prescription retinol or retinoids (e.g adapalene, tretinoin) are much stronger than cosmetic or non prescription retinol for acne and hence require a doctor’s prescription. These retinol prescription acne medicines can help to reduce inflammation and prevent blocked pores, they may also help to smooth out skin texture long term.
In moderate to severe acne, sometimes oral tablets may be needed. Using oral medications may be the best treatment for hormonal acne breakouts especially in the context of pre-existing conditions like PCOS. Although oral acne medications are often highly effective, these are strong medications that require medical and sometimes specialist monitoring. Some of these oral medications include:
There are some key differences between prescription and over-the-counter medication for acne. Notably, this is in relation to the severity of acne you are aiming to treat and the accessibility of the treatment product.
Over the counter treatments are a good option for mild acne but the results are likely to take some time. On the other hand, prescription treatments often work faster because they are much stronger and designed to manage moderate to severe acne.
For mild acne, you should always start with over the counter treatment. These treatments can be bought without a prescription because they are milder and associated with less side effects. If this has not worked or you have severe acne, then prescription medications may be more suitable but as these treatments are stronger, you may experience more side effects such as skin irritation initially.
If over the counter acne products are suitable for you, they are the best first line option because they are easier to get. Most pharmacies in-person and online will stock a good range of mild acne products. However, the price may vary depending on the brand or the pharmacy. Prescription treatments require a GP or dermatologist appointment but may be cheaper if you are getting medication on the NHS.
Overall, successful long-term cures for acne in adults and children will require a good skincare routine:
There is no need for some complicated 10-step skincare routine in the morning, the most effective acne skincare routines are simple because consistency is key. The goal is to support any acne treatment or maintain results. For example:
Skin is often the first thing you notice about yourself in the mirror and can significantly affect wellbeing. On top of that, acne treatment can be frustrating and may require lots of patience. There are some common mistakes that make acne worse; if you avoid doing these, it may help support acne treatment and see results faster:
If you have been doing all these things and your skin is not improving (or getting worse) despite treatment, it is important that you consult your doctor.