Homeopathic Heal Information - News about alternative medicine

Over The Counter Acne Treatments – Do They Work?

Over the counter, sometimes referred to as otc for short, products are starting to become an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medication in the treatment of acne.

These products are readily available as you don't need a prescription from your doctor to buy them and for people with mild to moderate forms of acne the best over the counter treatments will be just as effective as the more expensive prescribed ones.

Besides being cheaper, these products often have little, or no side effects, in comparison to some of the highly publicised prescribed antibiotic drugs used by doctors.

Although there are lots of over the counter acne products on sale, really there are only two kinds of treatments available - either medicated or natural. Both types utilise basically the same technique by using a drying agent to exfoliate the skin and to combat the acne and pimples.

Usually, in the case of a medicated product, this is either benzoyl peroxide, salycic acid or glycolic acid. Natural products tend to use combinations of ingredients and plant extracts like vitamin E, tea tree oil, aloe vera, witch hazel, green tea extract, cucumber etc.

There seems to be a growing number of different treatments but usually over the counter products come in the form of topical cleansers, soaps, washes, lotions, creams, gels or even pads and patches that are applied onto the skin.

When using these kind of preparations it is important, that you cover all of the area where you have acne because then you will also be treating the hidden blemishes that you can't yet see as well as the acne breakouts that you can.

Expect some trials and errors as you experiment with the different treatments available, it may take you a while before you find the right type or combination of products that work for you. Whatever you do, don't use more than one treatment at a time, particularly with medicated products, discontinue one before you try out another.

When you are trying a new product give it enough time to start working before discarding it to try something else. Typically you may need to use it for six to eight weeks before you notice any real progress but, of course, this depends upon the severity of your acne and your skin type, some people see improvements after only a few weeks.

After you have found the perfect skin care products that suit you and are providing good results, you may find that you will need to continue your treatments to keep your acne in check. This is because acne is a chronic (meaning long-term) skin disorder and it is possible that once you stop using your treatments the acne could reoccur.

To get the best out of any over the counter acne products you need to use them consistently and correctly. This may be common sense but do read the labels and make sure you use them in line with the instructions given! If you don't you risk causing damage to your skin and doing more harm than good, this is especially true if you have sensitive skin.

The over the counter products that are available, whether medicated or natural, do successfully treat most forms of acne. Unfortunately, there are always exceptions to the rule and there are some types of acne that will not respond to these type of treatments. If this happens to you and nothing you try is helping your condition then seek the help of your doctor or dermatologist.

Elaine Clay is the owner of Acne Treatments Online.com. Get articles and information to help you find proven and effective acne solutions available online to treat and get rid of your condition safely and naturally.

Bach Flower Therapy
About this therapy
Bach Flower Essences Shop (German)
Bach Flower Essences Shop (UK)
Where to buy Original Bach Flower Remedies
Doc Nature - Bach Flower Remedies Advisor
How to use Bach Flowers
About Bach Flower Remedies & Essences
Dr Bach
Read more about the life of Dr Bach

MORE ARTICLES:

Effective and Natural Treatments for Insomnia
There are natural treatments for insomnia that are both effective and practical. You can try following some of these tips if you are suffering from sleeplessness or difficulty in sleeping three times per week or more. Remember, adequate sleep is vital to keep the mind and body refreshed for the day ahead. Enough sleep can result to better performance in school or in the office, endurance to last the day and more energy for other activities.

Exciting News in Time for Pride Month
"HIV infection weakens the immune system, making someone highly susceptible to a large number of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections. The infected may also be vulnerable to certain types of cancers." Now the USA has been introduced to an all natural product that helps support the immune system. With over thirty years of research, Zuf Globus laboratories in Israel, developed clinically tested LifeMel Immune and now many in the US are benefiting from it.

A New Concept in Bridal Gift Registry Emerges: My Dream Home Registry Offers an Alternative in Changing Times
My Dream Home Registry opens its doors to the designing public with advantages never before possible.

Need Cash? A Payday Loan Online Can Rescue You
If you are out of money and you have financial things that need to be taken care of, don't fret because a payday loan online can be your knight in shining armor. And that is certainly not an exaggeration. Just think of the times when you needed to do an urgent home repair or you needed to seek medical care and you didn't have the money. By seeking out an online cash advance through an online payday loan company, you will never have to let an emergency go again.

Health Insurance Alternatives for the Uninsured
Recently, I read an article in this publication, "The Middle-Class Struggling with Health Insurance." Health insurance costs are certainly an issue for everyone today, especially the self-employed and those working for small companies. Many companies are trying to cut costs and those cost-cutting measures may eliminate employee health coverage, forcing employees to find coverage on their own. Consequently, many employed individuals and families are now facing the same challenge small business owners have been facing for years-finding affordable insurance.

Website Created by Woodworkers for Woodworkers Offers Top-Rated Wood Routers and Educational Information
Website created by woodworkers for woodworkers becomes popular one-stop-shop by offering top-rated wood routers and educational information, taking the guess work out of buying routers and accessories.

Top 12 Areas for Innovation through 2025: Personalized Medicine
The first in a series of 12 briefs that shed light on the top areas for technology innovation.

Medical Treatments For Acne Scaring
Having visible marks of any kind on the face is enough to feel uncomfortable and self conscious It is important to be aware though of the many advanced skin care treatments that are available to those who are seeking out the removal of scars

Get Really Affordable Health Insurance In Virginia
There are many ways to find affordable health insurance in Virginia. You can always turn to the tried and true methods of shopping for affordable health insurance online, but sometimes people want to talk to a person face-to-face. If this is the case, you can always visit your local health insurance company and speak with a live health insurance agent about your health insurance needs.

Wake Up To Good Health! Coffee Is A Powerful Supplement
Coffee. Everyone has, does, or will drink it at some point in time. It is a staple in households, offices, and every restaurant. It is the most traded commodity in the world after petroleum. You have probably heard somebody talk about how bad coffee is for you. You may not be aware that coffee also has a significant health benefit.

Namur Tourist Information
Namur is the capital of Wallonia, the French speaking southern part of Belgium. It is also the most important town in the province of Namur. This place of historic interest is situated 60 km south-east of Brussels, Belgium?s capital city.

Health Benefits of Wine
You may enjoy an occasional glass of wine It is used on many festive occasions to raise a toast, or to enhance a fine meal

Some Basic Student Loan Information
Some Basic Student Loan Information

Most Important Travel Information
When you travel not only do step out of your comfort zone, but you also leave behind all the important information about your life. You know about the stuff youd need like, insurance numbers - in case of an emergency; the number to call in case you lose your credit card, prescription information, etc.

Spy Surveillance Cameras, Trading Information For Sales
Are you selling spy surveillance cameras and other surveillance equipment online? Would You like to build up the number of repeat custom?