Easy to Use Acne Treatment

Most people get acne during their teenage years and beyond. It is an unfortunate fact of life, and the teenager can't ait to get rid of acne! However, there are some quick and easy acne treatment products which can fit in with even the most hectic of lifestyles. They range in price and style; I will take a look here at a few of the top recommended treatments. Anti-Bacterial A large number of 'over the counter' topical (applied externally to the skin) treatments are available for acne sufferers. These are mostly mild anti-bacterial treatments, designed to fight the bacteria which live in spots.

Acne spots are caused by the overproduction of oil in the glands in your skin; these areas become infected and cause the angry red spots which people are so keen to avoid. The anti-bacterial agents in the cleansers fight the cause of infection in the pores at its source, hoping to prevent new spots and shorten the lifespan of existing ones. Benzoyl peroxide is the name for the most common anti-bacterial agent used in over the counter treatments. One of the secondary effects of this agent is to dry the skin; this counteracts oil production and allows the top layer of skin to start to shed, hopefully taking the infected area with it.

Oral Medications

You can be prescribed tablets by the doctor which will dry out your skin. Oral medications are also known as systemic medications; this means that they work from the inside out, attacking the problem at its source. This is opposed to the topical treatments which work from the outside in, dealing with symptoms.

Although it can be frustrating to have to see a doctor every time you need to top up your supply, oral medications do have the advantage that they are the easiest to use. With many topical products it is necessary to apply them several times a day, and they can be messy and unpleasant. With an oral medication you just need to swallow one tablet and that's it!

Medicated Topical

The other kind of medication available is a medicated topical treatment known as a retinoid. Retinoid is a type of synthesized vitamin A, which is incredibly good for your skin. Retinoid must be prescribed too, and is used to treat moderate to severe acne. It is generally given in a cream form, and has an extreme exfoliating effec