If your acne is mild or you suffer from occasional breakouts, you have probably at some point considered home treatment for acne. Over-the-counter acne products are a multimillion dollar industry. Department stores, drugstores and supermarkets stock their shelves with all different types of acne products such as creams, soaps, facial masks, pore strips, sponges and more all promising to help prevent or get rid of acne. They use words to describe these products such as dermatologist approved, alcohol free, all natural, hypoallergenic and many more in an attempt to win your faith and hard-earned dollars. If you have determined that your acne does not warrant seeing a dermatologist and you wish to treat your acne, selecting a product from all of the available choices can be overwhelming. A basic understanding of the types of products available, how they are typically used and their effectiveness is a good start to choosing the right product for you.

Just about every home treatment for acne available over the counter without a prescription is applied topically, meaning directly to the skin rather than swallowed in pill form. Topical remedies are comprised of two types of ingredients: active and inactive. The active ingredient is the component which is intended to fight your acne. The inactive ingredient is the base or vehicle through which the medicine is delivered. Common active ingredients include benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Types of inactive ingredients include alcohol solutions, water-based solutions, creams, gels and others. Certain types of product bases are better for certain types of skin. For example, alcohol solutions have a drying effect and might be best for oily skin but an alcohol free water-based solution may be better for someone with dry skin.

When you venture down to your local drugstore to purchase an over-the-counter acne remedy, you will be confronted with an abundance of brands and types of products all claiming to be effective against acne. If you study the list of ingredients on the labels of the products available, you will likely find that many contain very similar ingredients. Starting out with a product that contains a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide is often the best choice, but let's take a look at some of the most widely available acne treatments available without a prescription.

Creams, gels, ointments, lotions and foams are among the most popular home treatments for acne. Most contain benzoyl peroxide alone or in combination with salicylic acid. Among these types of products you'll find many famous brands such as Clearasil as well as cheaper generics and store brand products. Such products are usually a good first choice.

Soaps, rinses and washes are another form of over-the-counter acne product. They may contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or other chemicals to remove surface dirt and oil from your skin. Their effectiveness can be somewhat limited because they are typically applied to the face or skin then immediately washed away.

Exfoliants are designed to rub away dead skin cells. They often come in the form of scrubs and hard sponges. If your acne is inflamed or you have sensitive skin, it would probably be wise to avoid exfoliants.

Facial masks are available in most drugstores. Some people make them at home using common household ingredients. Some are medicated and contain active chemical ingredients while others are organic or labelled all-natural. Masks are usually more expensive per use than your standard acne cream and require that you invest more time to use them, which may not be very practical.

Adhesive pore strips are similar in appearance to adhesive bandages. They are stuck to the face or nose then pulled away, lifting dead skin cells and dirt from your skin. While they may be somewhat effective, they can irritate your skin or hurt when removed. They bring nothing to the table that cannot be accomplished by other less gimmicky means, such as using acne cream.

Home treatment for acne can be made frustrating and confusing by the large number of products available. The simplest approach is often the best so avoid fads and gimmicks. There is no need to choose the famous brand you may have seen heavily advertised when a store brand or generic product containing essentially the same ingredients is available at a lower price. It is best to follow the product's instructions and start slowly with realistic expectations. Some products take a while to work, so running to the mirror several times every day is silly. If you are not sure about a product or cannot decide, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a recommendation.

As a person who has struggled with acne for years and who has recently started to develop wrinkles and crows feet around my eyes, I have used a number of skin care products in the past. If you are interested in finding out about a specific product, I have posted my review of Kinerase Intensive Eye Cream which you may find helpful as well. If you have darker skin or are African American, you may be interested in this hub titled Black Skin Care Products. If you are suffering from rosacea, this Rosacea Skin Care Products hub might be of interest to you.