Some acne is brought on by medical conditions and requires treatment by a trained professional. The single most common cause of acne is still puberty and the associated changing hormones. For mild or occasional acne, there are some effective treatments but for severe acne, it is best to consult a medical professional.
1/One of the best treatments for acne is witch hazel. This clear astringent strips excess oil from the pores and promotes healthy skin. It is perhaps the oldest form of modern skincare. The use of witch hazel was extremely prevalent in the 1950s and 1960s to combat teenage acne. Because it is a natually-occuring plant, witch hazel is often less harsh than chemically-based astringents. In addition, it has some natural oils in it as well which help avoid over-drying the skin.
2/Another good acne treatment via prevention comes with oatmeal and almond oil or other natural cleansing products. Since acne is caused by over-production of oil by the skin cells, it is important that the cleanser used on the skin be gentle. If the skin is deprived of all its natural oils because of too harsh a cleanser, it will compensate by producing more oil and generally, more acne.
A combination of oatmeal and almond oil in a face mask will help gently cleanse the skin as the oatmeal helps absorb excess skin oils. The natural almond oil helps maintain balance for the skin and prevents over-drying.
3/Once acne develops, treatment can come in many forms. Most people begin by trying over-the-counter remedies including benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. The point of these medications is to draw the excess oil out of the blemish and promote healing. Again, the issue with these treatments is the potential for over-drying. Both products, sold under various trade names, have a drying property which can cause the nearby skin to again over-produce oil and create an acne cycle.
In addition to these over-the-counter treatments, there are prescriptions that can be used to fight acne. For more severe cases of acne, one preferred treatment is antibiotics. Several different antibiotics have been used effectively to treat acne, including tetracycline and others. The problem with this form of treatment is twofold: First, to be effective, the treatment often requires repeated regiments of the antibiotics. That can make the antibiotic less effective later in life for treating other infections. Second, some antibiotics, including tetracycline, can make the skin particularly sensitive, leading to sunburns or skin irritations.
The fifth best way to treat acne is see a dermatologists who can also prescribe Retin-A in its various forms as a topical treatment for acne. In addition to requiring a prescription, this acne treatment can be drying and irritating to the skin. However, it is widely accepted as the most successful acne treatment available today for severe acne. Those who have used it report that it can leave the skin flaky and itchy for the first several days and that it requires long-term use to be effective. They recommend coupling with a moisturizer that does not clog pores.
