- This might be one of the most commonly known medications, with most people recognizing it from Oxy Clear and Clearasil ads. Benzoyl peroxide can be obtained in concentrations from 2.5 percent to 10 percent and purchased over the counter or by prescription. It is available in cream and gel form. Incidentally, many people are allergic to it. For those allergic to it, the chemical causes excessive dryness, itching and possibly swelling.
- Salicylic acid is another popular treatment, generally associated with Stridex and Clearasil pads. It works by preventing cells from shedding inside pores, preventing blockage. Salicylic acid also breaks down the sebum and deposits inside of blackheads and whiteheads.
- An old-time remedy, sulfur is used to treat acne because of its drying effect on skin. Be careful when using sulfur because it can cause excessive dryness, irritation and even discoloring of the skin.
- Erythromycin is an antibiotic used in a few acne medications, the most popular of which is probably T-Stat. Erythromycin is used in acne medications to kill and prevent growth of bacteria underneath the skin. As with the other treatments, erythromycin might cause excessive dryness.
- Tetracycline is an oral antibiotic taken in pill form. It can have some adverse side effects, such as extremely dry skin, skin sensitivity to sunlight, discoloring of the teeth and inhibiting fetal bone growth in pregnant women.
