HEALTH PRODUCTS ARTICLE
Popular Acne Medications
By Ben Carmichael
We all know that acne comes in many forms, such as blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, papules and cysts, depending on the severity.
Because the face is the most commonly affected part of the body, we cannot just let these blemishes remain untreated. Although we should always consult a doctor before taking or applying any medication, the fact is that using over-the-counter acne medication is still the first line of defense for anyone dealing with acne.
Here is a list of some basic information and medications that you can find, ask for over-the-counter or you can just pick up from the grocery shelves.
We all know that acne comes in many forms, such as blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, papules and cysts, depending on the severity.
Because the face is the most commonly affected part of the body, we cannot just let these blemishes remain untreated. Although we should always consult a doctor before taking or applying any medication, the fact is that using over-the-counter acne medication is still the first line of defense for anyone dealing with acne.
Here is a list of some basic information and medications that you can find, ask for over-the-counter or you can just pick up from the grocery shelves.
1. Baking Soda. Massage baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, onto the skin for use as an exfoliating agent or mix with water for use as an acne toner. Baking soda reduces inflammation and kills bacteria that cause acne.
2. Calamine Lotion. Using a cotton ball with calamine lotion, dab the lotion onto cystic acne to dry it out. Calamine lotion also cures pustules and reduces the inflammation and redness of pimples.
3. Benzoyl Peroxide. Used to kill the bacteria in acne and for drying the pustules, benzoyl peroxide should be used in moderation because it can irritate the skin. This medication comes in the form of cream or lotion.
4. Salicylic Acid. Found in a majority of acne creams, lotions, toners and makeup, salicylic acid reduces inflammation and the incidence of acne without irritating or drying the skin.
5. Tea Tree Oil. As effective as benzoyl peroxide in killing the bacteria in acne and for drying pimples and pustules, tea tree oil is one of the more popular over-the-counter and home remedies that do not irritate the skin.
6. Sulfur. An age old treatment, sulfur is used as an exfoliating or peeling agent and skin toner. It is used as an acne treatment because it is not harsh or irritating to the skin.
Using over-the-counter medications is your prerogative but you need to be sure that you are buying a treatment that will help cure your acne and not worsen its condition.
The success or failure of the treatment you choose will also depend on you following the instructions on the label and not prescribing to what you think will hasten the treatment.
Always consult with a dermatologist, and stop the treatment the moment something out of the ordinary happens to your acne upon use of a medication.
If you want more information on over-the-counter acne medication that's beyond the scope of this article, get a copy Audrey Robert's ebook, Clear Skin Magic.
Health and Humor
Voltaire
(and your grandmother) recognized long ago
that humor and laughter are good for you. You've probably noticed
yourself that
you simply feel better after a good belly laugh. The problem, of
course, is
that your sense of humor generally abandons you right when you need it
the most
– on the tough days. But if you manage to bring your sense of humor to
your
daily conflicts on your job, your relationship with your spouse and
children,
and your health or financial problems, you'll go a long way toward
improving
the quality of your life; and you'll boost your physical health and
well-being.
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