Acne is a common skin disorder that is generally caused due to inflammation of the skin glands as well as hair follicles. It is a common practice to wash the face for removing the excess oil, but it does not do much to prevent or cure acne because acne develops under the skin’s surface. It is essential to know more about the treatment options for acne in order to tackle the condition. Here are some of the ways to treat acne:

Cleansing and exfoliating the skin
There is a common misconception that not washing the face enough or properly causes acne. While it is important to wash your skin gently, aggressive washing can end up irritating the blackheads and whiteheads, leading to the spread of the infection which can cause more pimples. In such instances, the best way to keep your skin clean is to use mild cleansers or anti-acne cleansers like Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Aveeno® Moisturizing Bar, or Benzoyl Peroxide 5% bar.

On the other hand, the process of exfoliating helps in the removal of dead skin cell layers to promote healthy skin. If you wash your face with a mild cleanser, you can use a facial scrub once or twice a week to exfoliate the skin. This step also helps with the reduction of clogged pores, which are a result of the accumulation of dead skin cells and debris.

Keeping the skin clear
One of the most important points that you have to remember to prevent the clogging of skin pores is that it is a must to pick cosmetics, sunscreens, or lotions that are oil-free. Some of the best oil-free products for dry skin are Complex 15 Body Lotion, Coppertone® Tanning Defend & Glow Sunscreen Lotion, and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen. You must also avoid using hair gels and other hair products as they contain a lot of oily elements in their composition. While buying beauty products, make sure to look for product labels that contain the term noncomedogenic, which indicates that they do not clog the pores.

Medications for acne
There are four main types of medication that are prescribed for acne, and these include — benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, antibiotics, and isotretinoin. Both benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin are available as over-the-counter medications and are usually prescribed to counter acne. Benzoyl peroxide is highly effective in killing the acne-causing bacteria, unplugging the oil ducts, and helping with the healing of the skin.

Antibiotics and isotretinoin cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription, and both of these medications are given based on the severity of acne. The medications prescribed vary from person to person, depending on the severity of acne they have. The same medication will not work for everyone. So, it is advisable to consult a doctor rather than self-medicating because some medicines can cause acne to worsen.