Best Over The Counter Acne Treatment Ideas

Can you remember the first time you ever looked in the mirror and saw a HUGE blemish and thought to yourself, "What the heck is that?" And now grown up, even though the frequency might have diminished, they still pop up every once in a while. Acne is something that affects everyone, rich or poor, old and young. No matter who you are, at some point you will probably get a pimple or two. So how do you get rid of acne? How do you keep it under control? Well, there are lots of ways, and I'm sure you've heard from all kinds of people that their way is the best. Or they have heard of some new secret that is a miracle and will get rid of your acne forever. This article will provide some simple facts about some of the best over the counter acne treatment ideas. If you don't have the money to go to the dermatologist and spend several hundred dollars on acne medication, then over the counter medicine will be a great alternative.

Acne as it is commonly known, or Acne Vulgaris, is a common skin disease that usually first manifests during puberty and continues through adolescence. It is generally thought that it is the increase in hormones during puberty that causes acne to manifest itself in lesions called "pimples". The areas most affected by acne include the facial area, the back, and the upper portion of the chest.

For decades, science and doctors have worked to try to find out how to get rid of acne. For the most part, acne will go away on its own most commonly when individuals reach their twenties. Some adults have taken acne with them well into their forties, so each case is really unique. There is no "cure" for acne, so to speak, but there are methods for controlling outbreaks. Dermatologists offer several options and treatments that can virtually make acne disappear. These medicines are very expensive and can sometimes have some adverse reactions.

Some over the counter acne medications, though not as strong as prescription medications, have still been found to be effective enough to control even some of the extreme cases. The good news, is that over the counter medications are still expensive, they are way less expensive than their prescription counterparts

Proactiv is at the top of the list as one of the best available methods that is inexpensive and readily available at kiosks nationwide or on their website. They have a three step program that uses three different products in stages in order to achieve acne free skin. They are currently so sure of their product that they offer a 60 day money back offer if you are not satisfied with their product. Their initial three step program will cost you about $30USD for a one month supply, or a two month supply for around $45USD - $50USD, and they have some larger packages at a higher price. This product family is backed by celebrities and countless stories of people giving testimony that this product works.

Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Complete Acne Therapy Systemis another inexpensive system that can reduce all sorts of inflammation like black heads, white heads, and generally reduce "redness". It is a skin cleansing system that works by killing the bacteria in the skin in the affected areas. It is less expensive than Proactiv, and works a little differently. You can find this product from $15USD to $25USD from most retail pharmacy stores, or on Amazon.com. This is not a cure for acne but can help you control outbreaks. In their product lines, Neutrogena has several other products that will work with the Advanced Solutions System to further reduce your outbreaks. For the first seven days, you have to use all four steps twice a day. During the second week, you reduce the frequency to just a face wash in the morning. So this is a really low maintenance product.

AcneFree Severe Acne Treatment Systemis a product that makes some pretty hefty claims. It is said to be significantly more effective than Proactiv and is also 4 times more powerful. It is another "step" program that requires the use of several products on a regular basis. It claims to provide noticeable results starting on the next day after the first use. AcneFree also claims that it can control outbreaks of inflammation 24 hours a day, for 7 days a week. It is also available to people of all ages, with all skin types. It is also a little more expensive than some of the other over the counter acne solutions, available for between $25USD to $30UDS.

Remember the everyone has different skin and that some products may not have the same results for you that it does for others. Like anything else, you might have to try several different products before finding the best over the counter acne treatment for you.

*Like all medications, prescription or not, please read the manufacturers labels and use according to manufacturer specifications. Use products only as directed.

This is a short video showing several techniques for getting rid of acne. It shows several products and methods for cleaning affected areas.