Acne is a skin problem which is very common; most of us have breakouts from time to time, especially when you are younger. While there is not a cure for acne, there are a lot of different treatments and medications available for acne out there. A lot of research has gone into acne treatments and because of this there are a lot of effective treatments on the market today. Acne medications fall into three basic categories: Products designed to prevent acne, over the counter acne treatments and treatments for acne which must be prescribed by a doctor.

General or preventative products form part of a large skin care market that deals with skin creams lotions and cleansers that can help to stop acne. When you buy acne treatment and over the counter ointments, you are pretty much on our own as to the results. Many people use products similar to this every day as part of their skin care regime irrespective of whether or not they have acne.

Most of the cleansing products on the market work in precisely the same way which acne skin care products work: namely, they focus on reducing the formation of sebum in the pores. Acne is caused by excess sebum clogging the pores which then become a breeding ground for bacteria.

AN exfoliation skin peel is an acne skin care product which works by removing dead skin cells, which are a factor in the formation of acne. The peels totally unblock your pores, which is a great help in preventing acne.

These acne skin care products are very popular nowadays. These kinds of products are available without a prescription, so you can buy them over the counter. Many acne skin care products which once were available only be prescription are now widely available over the counter.

When using a product which contains benzoyl peroxide, it is best to start with an acne skin care product containing a low amount of this agent: no more than 5.5% until you determine whether or not your skin reacts badly to the benzoyl peroxide. As an alternative, there are alpha hydroxyl acid based products on the market. Of course, you may not find the perfect product for you on the first try. Zgo ahead and try a few, but if none seem to work for you, consult with your dermatologist.

A dermatologist will generally prescribe acne treatment and skin care products. These can include ointments which are supposed to be put on the affected area, and prescribe oral antibiotics in conjunction for a two-pronged approach. In more serious cases the skin care specialist may decide that a minor surgical procedure might be in order to remove the oil and other contents from the pores but you are warned never to attempt this yourself as it could lead to serious skin problems.

Your family physician can prescribe some form of a hormone-based treatment knowing that at times hormones have a great effect on acne outbreaks. When you buy acne medicine, you need to stay aware of what's happening with you skin. In some cases this can prove very helpful. Constant research has paid off, and whilst they cannot cure the condition yet, it is becoming easier to treat.