Acne is by far one of the few ailments that unite the world; it cuts across races and colors and constitutes a cause of worry for millions worldwide. So, if you suffer from acne, you are certainly not alone in this predicament. Every year millions of dollars are spent by millions across the globe in search for the most effective acne remedy.

Unfortunately, no drug, either prescription or over-the-counter (OTC), has been shown to effectively cure acne. In essence, you can only hope to find treatment options that prevent, reduce or control the breakout of acne. Because of the popularity of acne, several conventional medicines can be found in the market today and every one of them will want you to believe in the miracle of their products. However, most of these medications come with adverse effects that in some cases are relatively worse than the condition they were supposed to treat. How do you rationalize an acne treatment that in the long run causes severe rash and/or irritation?

In this light, it is very important to understand the constituent of whatever acne drug you choose to use. For example, some so-called oil-free cosmetics actually contain synthetic oils that can clog your pores and even worsen acne. And most creams, mask or lotions that are claimed to shrink the pores of the skin could well be lies, as researches have shown that it is not possible to open or close the skin pore. This goes further to add weight to the argument that you have to understand the content and/or adverse effects of whatever acne treatment you choose to use.

Over the counter (OTC) treatments for acne have been shown to be relatively effective and with minimal or no adverse effects, except in some cases or individuals where irritation or allergic reactions occur. There are several over the counter products that can effectively treat acne; some of them are discussed below.

Benzoyl Peroxide: This is the most widely used over the counter treatment for acne. It is found in several drugs in different concentrations, ranging from 2.5 - 10. Benzoyl Peroxide is believed to be capable of killing the bacteria that causes acne. But the amazing fact about this product is that the bacteria does not get resistant to it with prolonged use. So, you can always be sure of its efficacy, irrespective of the duration of use However, because the product is capable of causing rash/irritation, it is always advisable to begin with formulations that contain lower concentrations of the Benzoyl Peroxide before moving up to higher concentrations. Examples of medications that contain Benzoyl Peroxide include: Fostex 5 Cream, Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment, Clear By Design Gel 2.5% and ProActiv Renewing Cleanser.

Glycolic Acid is another product is not as common or widely used as Benzoyl Peroxide. However, it is believed to be efficacious in cleansing dead skins and stimulating the production of new skin cells. Its use in acne is derived from this function, since it is thought that by removing dead cells on the skin surface, it could help open clogged skin pores, however, its actual effectiveness in treating acne is not known. Though, it is usually found in several acne and anti aging medications. You can find Glycolic Acid in medications like ClearLogix Deep Cleansing Acne Treatment Pads and in Neostrata Products.

Salicylic Acid is another good over the counter treatment for acne. It is believed to work by cleansing the skin of dead cells and also softening the skin. However, like Glycolic Acid, this product might be more effective if used in conjunction with other acne medications. Salicylic Acid can be found in Clearasil 3-in-1 Acne Cleanser, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Maximum Strength Persa-Gel 10 and ProActiv Solution Deep Cleansing Wash.