Although there is no one miracle cure for acne, there are many types of effective treatments that are geared toward the varying degrees of the irritating skin condition. Because everyone’s body and skin are essentially unique, acne skin treatments may range from prescription medication and antibiotics for the more severe cases, while milder outbreaks can be successfully treated by using the right type of skin care products as well as gently caring for and amply protecting the skin.

Caring for Acne Prone Skin

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions as to the right type of products to use on skin that’s affected by acne, pimples, blemishes, and blackheads. Not all skin with acne is considered to be oily all of the time, and the main mistake people make is drying out the skin too much, causing the sebaceous, or oil, glands to produce even more of the pore-clogging oils that exacerbate acne. Regardless of your overall skin type, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t ever become too dry and be sure to only use products that don’t contain any harsh, chemical ingredients.

For virtually any type of acne skin treatments, the main goal is keep the skin as clean as possible to avoid clogging the pores. If you have acne mostly on the facial area and mostly oily skin, use a toner with no more than three percent hydrogen peroxide after washing the face with a gentle cleanser intended to be used on skin with acne. Also, look for products that contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid and ask your dermatologist or doctor to recommend the right concentration for your particular type of acne if you aren’t sure what’s best for you. Make it a point to never use anything containing alcohol or any kind of abrasives.

Protecting the Skin

Any type of acne skin treatments are always at their most effective when the skin is protected from further damage, like that which is caused by the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays, or even from tanning beds. Even those people without acne would be wise to protect themselves from overexposure and increasing the risks of skin cancer as well as prematurely aging the skin. It’s imperative to use sunscreen when going outdoors with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, and those with acne should use the kind that’s labeled as noncomedogenic in order to keep the pores open and unclogged. Makeup and moisturizers for use on skin with acne should be noncomedogenic as well for the very same reason.

Obviously if the skin is inflamed or sensitive due to acne, it’s also important to protect it from further damage while cleaning it as even the gentlest of cleansers and soaps can do harm if they are used too often or with a sponge or pouf that’s too rough. Always use a soft cloth, sponge, or some type of applicator that’s specifically intended for the face to gently exfoliate the outer layer of the skin, which encourages the growth of newer, healthier cells. Also, limit the number of times you wash the skin to twice per day, or once again after exercising if necessary.