Top Acne Fighting Ingredients

Acne is an inflammatory disease that involves the pilosebaceous units of the skin. The hair follicles and pores are clogged which leads to the build up of sebum and the infiltration of bacteria under the surface of the skin. As a result, an inflammatory reaction occurs in the form of pimples. This is a skin disorder that does not only affect adolescents. Today, even adults suffer from the condition.

Fighting off acne involves a number of ingredients. These ingredients work as exfoliants and anti bacterial agents. Other ingredients function to reduce sebum production.

Salicylic acid
This is an anti acne ingredient that is found in most over the counter anti acne treatments. It works by slowing down the shedding of cells inside hair follicles. As the rate of shedding is reduced, the incident of clogged pores is also reduced. Salicylic acid also breaks down white heads and black heads further contributing to the reduction of clogged pores. The breaking down can also be described as exfoliation.

Alpha hydroxyl acid
Alpha hydroxyl acid or AHA is also known as glycolic acid and lactic acid among others. It has an exfoliating effect. It breaks up dead skin cells revealing a clearer skin. It is obtained through a prescription and its application instruction must be followed since it can cause drying and peeling of the skin.

Tretinoin, Isotretinoin
Both of these are derivatives of Vitamin A and both are acquired through prescription. These Vitamin A derivatives have an exfoliating effect. The old skin is peeled off which promotes the growth of new skin, a clearer and rejuvenated skin after which is revealed. They also reduce oil production and both work to unplug clogged pores. They also soothe inflammatory reactions (pimples), drying them out in the process. 

Benzoyl Peroxide
This anti ance ingredient has an anti bacterial action. Some acne is caused by a bacterial strains, S. aureus and P. acnes. While other anti acne ingredients may work by exfoliating and drying out the pimple, it doesn’t necessarily kill the bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria and dries up excess oil as well. It also has a mild exfoliating effect which results to drying and peeling of the skin. There are forms of benzoyl peroxide that you apply directly to a pimple. It reduces the redness by soothing the inflammation.

Oral antibiotics
Tetracycline is an oral antibiotic that is commonly prescribed to teens. It kills the bacteria causing acne and further prevents the spread of acne.

An anti acne treatment often involves these ingredients. You dermatologist may prescribe you with an oral antibiotic, tretionoin, AHA, and a mild cleanser. Strong cleansers with beads are often discouraged since it can further irritate the skin which is especially sensitive because of the peeling. A mild, unscented cleanser is advised. For the especially large pimples, those with pustules too, benzyol peroxide is prescribed as well. This would be the typical anti acne treatment however the result is different for every person.