Do Acne Treatment Products Work?

Not everyone was born with beautiful skin. Those who have never had to deal with pimples, blackheads, and other blemishes should count themselves lucky, because for many people, fighting problem skin is an ongoing battle. More often than not, it feels like a losing cause, as most over-the-counter acne treatment products prove to be ineffective at providing a long-term solution for particularly troublesome cases. So what can you do to clear up your face once and for all?

There are a couple of different options that go beyond acne treatment products like Clearasil, Oxy, and Proactiv. The first involves seeing a dermatologist. I know many people try to avoid this, either because their insurance doesn't cover such visits or because they think they can't afford the consultation. But I think you'll be surprised at how affordable some dermatologists are, even without insurance. For instance, there's a clinic near my home that accepts walk-in patients for a $59 consultation fee. That's not bad at all, especially when you'll be getting a diagnosis from a trained medical professional who will then recommend prescription acne treatment products for you.

Some typical prescription acne treatment products include topical creams such as Differin (Adapalene) and Clindamycin. Differin is a retinoid, while Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Both of these topical creams are far more effective at clearing up problem skin than treatments you would find on the shelves at your local beauty supply store. Antibiotics in particular are important for a clear skin regimen because they help fight bacteria that cause pimples. Your dermatologist might even give you oral antibiotics to take as part of your regimen, and those have received positive results as well.

Publish