- Many over-the-counter products are effective in helping to eliminate acne breakouts. The active ingredient is what determines how effective a product really is. Benzoyl peroxide and is common ingredients in these acne treatments and can be used on your face, chest and back for mild to moderate acne. It helps clear and prevent future acne lesions from occurring. It was one of the first ingredients used in over-the-counter medications.
- Salicylic acid is another common ingredient in over-the-counter acne medications. It treats acne lesions and corrects abnormal skin shedding that causes clogged pores. Unlike benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid does not affect the oil production of your skin. It's not drying, so you can use it more often; however it can still be irritating to sensitive skin. It is present in many acne cleansing pads, facial and body cleansers.
- Severe, inflamed acne cysts require medicine that's more powerful than over-the-counter variations. Inflamed cysts can rupture and create permanent scaring. To prevent this, your doctor may prescribe having a diluted corticosteroid injected directly into the cysts. It reduces inflammation so that the skin can heal. Normally the cysts disappear within three to five days.
- Oral medications have been prescribed to treat moderate and severe acne for many years. Oral antibiotics like Erythromycin and Tetracycline are generally prescribed for six months or less to help reduce the p. acnes bacteria that causes inflamed acne lesions. The p. acnes bacteria will eventually become immune to oral antibiotics taken for an extended period of time. If this happens, the breakouts can no longer be controlled.
