Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and antibiotics like clindamycin are some of the common topical agents used to treat acne.
Acne can be unsightly as it triggers the development of inflamed lesions, whiteheads, and blackheads on the superficial skin. No wonder, acne sufferers are on the lookout for ways to get rid of this skin condition at the earliest. Applying acne creams is the most convenient option to eliminate this skin problem.
Topical Agents to Treat Acne
Benzoyl Peroxide
Mild to moderate acne can be easily treated with creams containing benzoyl peroxide. The common side effects associated with usage of benzoyl peroxide products is dry skin, which is not very bothersome. However, too much use of this remedy has to be avoided as it can cause excessive dryness. Creams containing 2% of benzoyl peroxide are usually recommended for topical application. If that doesn’t help to reduce this skin problem, cream that has benzoyl peroxide in the range of 5 to 10%, may be prescribed. Benzoyl peroxide products are also available in the form of gels and cleansing solutions.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid being a natural substance obtained from plants works to clear acne and rejuvenate the skin. Reports suggest that creams with a higher concentration of salicylic acid are more effective to get rid of acne. Salicylic acid formulations remove the dead cells and unclog the pores. For best results, salicylic acid products are used in combination with other acne treatment methods. The concentration of salicylic acid varies between 0.5% and 2%. These acne products are commonly sold under different brands such as Clearsil and Panoxyl.
Clindamycin
Clindamycin is basically an antibiotic that is available in topical form. Its application on the affected area helps to kill the bacteria that are breeding in the clogged pores. This topical antibiotic is especially useful to clear away small pimples. Large sized pimples too become smaller with regular usage of clindamycin. Its antibacterial activity works to get rid of microbes, in turn reducing the inflammation. Severe bacterial infections of the skin generally are resistant to benzoyl peroxide products and therefore usage of topical antibiotics is recommended.
Topical Retinoids
Application of topical retinoids that include adapalene (Differin), tretinoin (Renova) and tazarotene (Tazorac) can also play a very important role to clear acne. Retinoids are basically chemicals that are obtained from vitamin A. These are prescription medicines and hence one needs to consult a doctor before using any of these vitamin A derivatives. For best results, use of retinoids is combined with topical application of antibiotics. Retinoids are effective to unblock the pores, thus allowing the antibiotics to penetrate through the pores to destroy the acne-causing bacteria.
Clearing Acne Tips
These acne creams work only when the patient sticks to a healthy diet. Having junk and fried food are some of the mistakes acne sufferers commit and then complain that these creams aren’t effective. Daily exercise routine coupled with a healthy diet that mainly consists of green leafy vegetables and plenty of water, is a pre-requisite for clearing up acne. Also, one has to first wash the acne affected area with a mild soap and then only apply the recommended acne cream.
Do topical acne agents and pregnancy go well together? As long as acne medications are not taken internally, there is no harm to the developing fetus. Also, with advances in medical science, new skin care products such as Aczone gel for acne treatment are coming into the market. Dapsone, an antibacterial drug is the main ingredient of this gel that has proved beneficial to reduce acne.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
