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During your acne-prone years you'll go through a lot of different types of acne products in hopes of finding one that will work for you. This is mostly because cosmetic companies will flood the market with a large variety of over-the-counter acne products that can treat mild to moderate acne. This makes it almost impossible to make a choice when you're confronted with so many options. So how do you know which one is best for you?

Most of the time you're so overwhelmed with all the different types of acne products that you'll basically base your decision on a friend's recommendation. You'll buy whatever worked on him or her and hope that it'll do the same for you, however, you're not the same person, nor do you have the same skin care needs. So, before you grab the cheapest acne medication you need to understand how OTC acne products work and what ingredients to look for. Once you have the basics for an acne free life, then you'll have all the tools to develop a gentle skin care regimen that can treat and prevent acne breakouts.

Treat acne causes treated with acne products

There are several factors that may indicate signs of acne formation; however, the formation of a single pimple begins when 3 main factors coincide:

*Surplus of sebum produced by the body

*Closed pores

*Bacteria proliferation

Acne solutions: What works and why

Pimple products work in different ways depending on their active ingredient. Here are some of the most common active ingredients found in most skin care products for acne.

*Benzoyl peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide kills P. acnes, helps remove excess oils from the skin and removes dead skin cells that clog pores. It is probably one of the most effective active ingredients used in acne products to date.

*Salicylic acid: This ingredient slows shedding of cells inside the hair follicles, which prevents the pores from clogging. It also helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.

*Alcohol and acetone: These ingredients are often available in astringents and other cleansing washes. They are helpful in removing dirt and oils from the skin, keeping it clean and clear of acne producing elements.

*Natural ingredients: Our immune system reacts to an injury with inflammation or an inflammatory response. When this type of response occurs we reach for the first acne product we find to soothe the inflammation, however most of those products are filled with chemicals and can actually destroy our own skin cells and skin structures. This is why it's best to use products that contain special natural ingredients that are gentle on our skin and can restore lost skin structures.

There are a wide range of products and ingredients that can treat acne; however, not every product is apt for your specific acne treatment needs.