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Teenagers have enough to worry about without adding acne control to that list. For some, acne control is only a passing phase and once the surge of hormones goes down, the acne also decreases. But for others, acne control becomes a lifelong battle. There are many ways to treat acne regardless of how mild or severe the case may be.

The acne sufferer must both keep the pores of the skin unclogged and work on unclogging already infected pores. One must keep at bay the bacteria that cause the infection and redness of acne and reduce any redness that is already present. The best line of attack is to apply preventive measures to avoid an acne breakout altogether.

Caring for your face with a gentle washing once or twice daily using just soap and water can make all the difference in keeping your pores clear. In addition to this, applying benzoyl peroxide will aid in drying out the skin as well as cleaning it even further. Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient in most over the counter facial wipes such as Oxy Pads. One of the truly nice things about using benzoyl peroxide is that it can be coupled with other acne treatments.

Using exfoliation has become a common technique in acne control. The removal of dead skin cells through exfoliation can help prevent them from clogging the pores of the skin, which in turn aids in preventing acne. The skin revealed by exfoliating is new, smooth, and much more healthy looking. It is important to know, however, that many of the agents found in exfoliating products can be very irritating to your skin. Before using them on your entire face, a small area of your skin should be tested to check for any negative reactions to these agents.

Many of the products available to treat acne have a dual function: the exfoliating agents which remove dead cells from the skin can also kill the bacteria associated with acne and reduce the inflammation of the skin. Therefore these products not only help to prevent acne, but also reduce the swelling and redness associated with an acne breakout.

Common ingredients in other acne products are azelaic acid and sulfur. It is wise to test any product before using it on your entire face. If the product you intend to use contains salicylic acid, you should be very cautious. It can be effective in preventing the clogging of your pores, but is very harsh and irritating to the skin of the face.

For very persistent or severe acne a consultation with a dermatologist may be needed. The dermatologist can help set up an effective cleansing routine. He or she may also use lasers or write a prescription to fight tougher cases of acne. Acne medications can be very harsh, and you should be made aware of any possible side effects by your doctor.

If the idea of prescribed treatments from a dermatologist concern you, give the over-the-counter products a try. They are readily available, less expensive, and just might work for you. Since these products are applied externally, you will also avoid ingesting any acne medications and suffer the possible side effects that they can cause.

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