How to Find Your Way Through the Maze of Acne Products.

Acne, pimples, zits, we have a number of names for one pretty big problem. Actually it is estimated that three out of four teenagers suffer from some form of acne. However, acne is not just a teenager malady. Acne also attacks adults as well and it has been shown that children as young as 8 are also getting acne and that early acne is an indication of future serious breakouts. Acne is an equal opportunity destroyer, with no regard to race, culture, gender or even age. Some people get it worse than other and there are those "annoying few" who never get so much as a red bump. But chances are great that acne has, in some way, touched your life.

What is Acne?
Acne is a blanket term used to describe several types of skin blemishes that can occur on the face, neck, shoulders, back and even the buttocks area. Many aspects of acne are still a mystery, even to doctors. The oil glands, called sebaceous glands, produce sebum which keeps the skin supple and moist. Sometimes, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the sebum collects in the pores and hair follicles due to a blockage. The sebum is then not able to drain as it should and bacteria grow. The bacteria cause the skin eruptions that are commonly known as pimples, cysts or zits.

What are the Effects of Acne?
The effects of acne can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. Severe acne can cause scarring of the skin and acne outbreaks are often red, inflamed, swollen and even painful. The emotional effects are equally scarring because acne often attacks the face, the first thing that people see on a person. Acne can cause depression, anxiety and even make people resistant to go out in public.

What makes Acne Worse?
Since no one really knows what exactly causes acne, it is difficult to say what makes it worse. However, some things have been linked to an increase in the inflammation of a breakout and even influence breakouts.
Not washing your face
Over washing or scrubbing your face
Sleeping in your makeup
Makeup allergies
Stress
Poor diet (lack of fresh fruits and leafy green vegetables)
Some illnesses (including the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, which very closely mimics the appearance of acne)
Certain medications and antibiotics
Hormones
PMS

What Acne Treatments are Available?
The market is literally flooded with acne treatments, ranging from prescription to over the counter to herbal to alternative treatments such as acupuncture. Many forms of acne respond well to over the counter treatments such as Neutrogena Rapid Clear and the good old standby, Clearasil. The products that seem to get the most positive results, ProActiv, Murad and Exposed, do not require a prescription and are currently very popular.

A dermatologist or doctor can prescribe certain creams and soaps for acne sufferers. For severe cases of acne, particularly those that include painful cysts, oral antibiotic treatments, such as tetracycline, have proven to be effective.

Herbal and vitamin/mineral remedies which include vitamin A, Zinc and Vitamin B6 are another popular method of treating acne. Herbs such as sarsaparilla, yellow dock, burdock and cleavers are believed to effectively treat acne by cleansing the blood and lymph nodes. Tea tree oil is often used topically on the acne to reduce the inflammation while killing the bacteria.

Which is Best, Prescription or Home Treatment?
The best acne treatment is the treatment that works best for you. If you have tried drugstore remedies and have not had any luck, then maybe it is time to check out some of the other acne treatments such as ProActiv, Murad and Exposed. These treatments have different formulations that the drugstore brands of acne treatments and they have been proven much more effective in treating acne.

A visit to a dermatologist can be costly and shots, prescription creams and soaps as well as oral medication can also be very expensive. Unless your acne is very severe or you think that your acne is actually something worse, such as basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, you should probably hold off on your doctor visit until you have tried some of the other products that are out there and you have had no success with them.

Which Acne Products are most Popular and Have the Best Track Record?
The three most popular acne treatments on the market today are ProActiv, Murad and Exposed. These three products are dramatically different from the acne treatments that you get at the drugstore. The acne treatments that you get at the drugstore are typically spot treatments. Additionally, many of these treatments use very harsh, drying chemicals as their active ingredient. This can actually cause acne to become more inflamed, red and swollen because it is very hard on your skin. It can cause other areas of the skin to become dry and scaly.

Products such as ProActiv, Murad and Exposed are different in that 1) they treat the entire face, not just the inflamed areas which means that they can help relieve current breakouts and prevent future ones from erupting. 2) They do not use harsh chemicals in their products. They use ingredients that are kind and gentle to your skin which reduces the inflammation and speeds healing.

What Should You Look for in an Acne Product?
The things you should look for in an acne product depend on the type of acne that you have, your skin type, your lifestyle and any allergies that you may have. For instance, include your makeup in your skincare routine because some ingredients in makeup can cause allergies and result in breakouts. Many of the new mineral makeups that are becoming so popular contain Bismuth Oxychloride as an ingredient and a surprising number of people are allergic to this mineral. This can result in inflammation and acne.

As for your skin care products, assess your skin type and find a product that is formulated for that type. If you have sensitive skin, you want to find a product that is appropriate for sensitive skin. The popular skin care systems such as ProActiv do address sensitive skin and have formulated their product to be appropriate for most skin types, including sensitive skin. Murad and Exposed have followed suit with equally accommodating formulations.

Which Acne Product is Right for You?
The best acne product for you is the one that works. When shopping for a skin care product, know your skin type, know your lifestyle (will you take the time to use cleanser, toner and lotion, as directed, every day or twice a day?) and see if the treatment works into your budget. Many of the products like ProActiv are pretty affordable. You do get membership into their "club" but you can cancel that at any time. As for affordability, ProActiv comes in a strong first with Murad following closely behind and Exposed bringing up the rear.

Finding the product that will effective treat your acne can be challenging, but once you find it, you will be rewarded with clearer skin.