Solutions for You!
A Review of Acne Products
There is hope. Although acne is not curable, it is treatable. And dermatologists now know more about the controlling and prevention of acne than ever before. One secret to acne management acne is prevention or stopping the condition before it starts or reoccurs. Another is to use any of a variety of treatments that work best for you under the guidance of your healthcare provider or dermatologist. And after you find acne products or solutions, use them regularly. We’ve already looked at preventative measures, so now let’s take a look at treatment options available today.
First of all, timing can make a difference in acne treatment. It can be prudent to begin treatment as soon as the first signs of acne appear in order to avoid the most minimal damage. And even after the blemishes fade, you may need to continue treatment to keep new outbreaks at bay.
Next let’s take a look at research below that represents a compilation of a wide variety of acne healthcare, programs and treatments available today. They are basically listed in alphabetical order below. Wherever possible, websites have been included so that you can follow up at your leisure for additional information. You can also check out www.your-best-acne-treatment.com for suggestions.
ABY SkinCare – A management and treatment program that combines Benzoyl Peroxide, Sulfur and Glycolic Acid. Their Acne Kits are customized to individual skin care needs with strength varying from 2.5 percent to 15 percent (factoring sensitivity and prior usage).
Accutane - This retinoid prescription medicine, also known as Isotretinoin, is used to help treat severe acne when other methods like antibiotics fail. It is generally packaged in 30-day portions at a time, closely monitored under a physician’s care because the medicine has important precautionary measures. Possible severe side effects have been reported including birth defects with pregnant women, mental lethargic issues and suicide. The medicine cannot be combined with Vitamin A and take care with contact lens wearing and a decrease in night vision.
Acne Clearz - This DHEA-free and fragrance-free Night Serum, for adults and teens, boasts a sensitive or low irritation ingredient mixture with moisturizers, deep penetrating yet clear and gentle for skin. It’s considered a super strength pore clearing medicine that combats existing and returning pimples and blackheads and helps cover acne scars, featuring Hydroxy and Anti-Oxidant protectors, helpful in the control of oil generation. www.teramec-direct.com
Acne Treatment Clinic - This California-based clinic offers a variety of acne helping products via mail order upon completion of a skin assessment questionnaire. They ask clients to email or call them to share details about their progress with using their products during the first few months. And their product selections include cleansers, cosmetics, masks & peels, moisturizers, sunscreens, topical medications, vitamins; like BENZOYL Peroxide Medication, Glycolic Gel to help prevent new acne and reduce scarring, Sunscreen Crème to help prevent sunburn and pore clogging, and miscellaneous items like sponges and applicators to use with their products. www.acnetreatment.com or http://stores.yahoo.com/acnetreatment
AcneControl Thera Line - Developed by Biomani Scientific SkinCare, this product line was formulated by a physician specifically to treat acne. It features sebum production and oil control properties, acne bacteria destroyer, acne preventative measures, dead skin cell exfoliation and removal, pore minimizing treatments, white and black head dissolvent and prevention treatment and skin soothers. Their product line includes TheraGel, containing acne-causing bacteria Benzoyl peroxide, Salicylic acid and Sulfur to help with acne treatment and prevention. (Results have been reported in as little as six weeks of use.) Another product in their line up is a therapeutic cleanser containing tea tree and botanical extracts that help control oil and remove makeup and extra pore-clogging sebum and dirt, boasting immediate results. They also have a therapeutic toner, Sun TheraCare and TheraScrub to aid in skin care. www.acnecontrol.com
Acne-Ltd III - This is a new topical treatment that destroys bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses in areas where applied. Compacted and highly concentrated with Zinc oxide, Iron oxide, Sulfur, Sodium chloride, Polyethylene glycol and Manganesium sterate, you simply glide the product’s applicator over clean, wet skin (infected area only). Blackhead elimination and pore clearing begins in the infected areas at once, moisturizing, not aggravating, the skin in the process. www.acne-ltd.com
Acnesil – This topical cream’s active ingredients include non-skin drying Melaleuca alternifolia, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. It has been reported to reduce whiteheads, when applied at the first sign of a breakout, doesn’t dry out skin and can be used for larger infected areas or smaller targeted spots. The cream can speed up the length of time it takes to heal, helping completely remove all traces of acne. www.acnesil.com
Acne Spot Dry - This non-irritating, hypoallergenic blemish treatment by DAK Pharmaceuticals is made of Aluminum Magnesium Silicate, Camphor, Iron Oxides, Salicylic Acid, Sulfur and Zinc Oxide. Blot it on trouble spots and it fights acne-causing bacteria and dries out the problem areas including the blemishes themselves. Immediate results have been reported. www.acnespotdry.com
Acnevention – This pimple treatment, also by DAK Pharmaceuticals, contains Chitosan Ascorbate, Glycolic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Kola Nut Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Salicylic Acid, and Ubiquinone (CoQ10). Similar to Acne Spot Dry, this product features these benefits: it destroys harmful bacteria, dries blemishes, unclogs pores, heals damaged skin, moisturizes, helps prevent scars, nourishes and soothes, and helps prevent the return of blemishes. When used, this product leaves a skin soft and refreshed. www.acnevention.com
The Body Shop – This company has many products to help with acne treatment and prevention that feature tee tree oil, a known helpful remedy. The anti-bacterial tea tree oil is reported to seep deep into the skin, keeping oily shine under control and helping control acne problems. It is said that the Bundjalung aboriginal tribal group have had knowledge of tea tree oil healing properties for a long, long time - approximately 40,000, years! And The Body Shop offers lots of healing items with it including Tea Tree Oil Facial Blotting Tissues, Tea Tree Oil Facial Wash, Tea Tree Oil Facial Scrub, Tea Tree Oil, Tea Tree Oil Daily Cleansing Wipes, Tea Tree Oil Face Mask,Tea Tree Oil Blemish Stick, Tea Tree Oil Daily Foaming Facial Wash, Tea Tree Oil Mattifying Moisture Gel and Tea Tree Oil Freshener. They also sell Tea Tree Oil Nose Pore Mask, Tea Tree Oil Blemish Pads and Tea Tree Oil Pressed Powder. www.thebodyshop.com
Care Plus Corrective Skin Care - This California-based company offers a skin care product and corrective program treatment line for all skin types, with step-by-step help. Their four major treatment programs are: Clear Complexion Acne Program; Even Color Skin Lightening Program; Anti-Aging/ Renewal Program; and Rosacea Care Program- -each customizable, depending upon each persons treatment needs. Their individual products focus on corrective solutions for acne, skin rejuvenation, skin renewal, skin lightening and rosacea.
The Care Plus skin care products fall under their four-step program as follows (note step four has two variations). www.careplusskin.com
Step 1 - Care Plus Cleansers include Cleanser, Complexion Cleanser, Gentle Cleanser, Cleansing Milk, Extra Strength Facial Wash
Step 2 - Care Plus Toners include Aloe Vera Tonic Mist and Normalizing Hydrating Toner
Step 3 - Care Plus Corrective Solutions include C Plus Unique Vitamin C Serum, C Plus High Potency Vitamin C Serum, Active Derm A (Sensitive to Normal) and Vitamin A Forte (Stronger, most aggressive), Skin Lightening Gel, Complexion Gel 5% Benzoyl Peroxide (Mild to Moderate Acne) / Complexion Gel 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (Moderate to Severe Acne) / Complexion Gel with Salicylic and Lactic Acid
Step 4 - Care Plus Moisturizers / Hydrators / Anti-Stress Serum include Moisture Cream, Ultra Blend Moisture Complex, Resource Gel and Collagen / Elastin Rose Extract Eye Crème
Step 4 - Specialty Products include Sunscreen SPF 15, Calming Cream and Calming Mask
 Clear Essentials Advanced Acne Treatment System – This treatment line is from national skin-care management company, featuring acne and anti-aging products. All items boast a patented low pH and their acne products are made up of 2% Salicylic Acid , reportedly the highest percentage allowed by the FDA without a prescription. Some popular products for acne solutions include Gentle Acne Cleanser, a milky lotion for microexfoliation and complete cleansing; and Aloe Toner, an alcohol-free non-irritating Aloe-based soother. Others are their Acne Treatment Cream, with Salicylic Acid and Vitamin E, for help unclogging pores and preventing further acne; and Clear Essentials Skin Mask, a clay-based formula for conditioning and absorbing excess skin oils.
Clearasil – This is a well-known name for acne treatment products. They have a specially formulated line just for men. And some of their popular products for both genders are treatment creams to clear up acne and formulated pads to remove makeup and dirt while deep cleaning and medicating pores. They also have cleansers and several new products like Oil Control Acne Wash, Blackhead Clearing Scrub and an Ultra Acne Treatment Cream that boasts fighting acne and clearing up skin in only three days. www.clearasil.com
Dermaclear - -This is an alcohol-free, oil-free, all-in-one skincare product that takes the place of 3 to 4 other brands without unneeded additives, drying ingredients or heavy fragrance. Dermaclear is a combination cleanser / skin care product, that is has Lauryl sulfacte and Salicylic acid in it for cleaning skin without rinsing and clearing up and preventing further acne. It also has 8-HO quinoline and tartaric acid to fade marks (not deep scars) left from earlier blemishes. Se it twice daily, applied with cotton balls or pads. Caution: do NOT use this product with Retin-A. www.dermaclear.com
Dermajetics® Acne Treatment System – These acne products are available individually or in skin care kits. Their items include Foaming Wash and Cleansing Bars that rid pore-clogging elements and decrease blackheads and pimples. Follow up cleansing with 24-Hour Lotion and Spot Gel to help clear up skin and target acne areas.
Elicina® Cream – This product is made with bio-available skin care ingredients and helps with a variety of skin problems, not just acne: starch marks, scars, wrinkles and more. Focusing on acne, it helps control adult acne breakouts & teen pimples & blackheads, end back acne, aid in the repair of acne scarring and other skin improvements. This product is actually natural antibiotics that kill harmful bacteria in skin follicles, targeting the source of acne; and Natural Glycolic Acid that exfoliates dead cells, thus opening clogged pores; and Allantoin, Collagen, Elastin, Proteins & Vitamins for nourishment and the healing of scar tissue. http://bioskincare.com
End Zit® - This line of products offers suggested treatment steps and invites discussion on their online forum at: www.endzit.com . Their products, reported with good results on most parts of the body afflicted with acne including the face, are listed in their four steps follow with a treatment at the end. Note: those sensitive to sulfur should avoid use of End-Zit® Acne Control Drying Lotion AND End-Zit® Blemish Control Mask.
Step 1 - End-Zit® Blemish Control Cleanser - Apply small amount to damp skin. Gently massage, resulting in mild foam. Rinse with warm water. Pat dry. Use daily, AM & PM.
Step 2 - End-Zit® Blemish Control Toner - After cleansing skin, apply small amount of toner with sterile cotton ball or pad over face. Use daily, AM & PM.
Step 3 - End-Zit® Blemish Control Moisturizer - After cleansing and toning, apply a few drops of End-Zit® Blemish Control Moisturizer to fingertips. Lightly pat affected area. Also use daily, AM & PM.
Step 4 - End-Zit® Acne Control Drying Lotion - (Most important step!) Shake bottle well first. Apply a small amount to each blemish with application cap. Leave alone to dry for 10-15 seconds. Gently pat, blending into skin. (Apply make-up or other products over top if you like). Repeat twice a day, AM & PM.
Treatment - End-Zit® Blemish Control Mask – Wash face. Apply mask evenly over face. AVOID eye area. Allow mask to dry for 7-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Pat dry. Use only one or two times each week.
Estée Lauder Clear Difference Targeted Blemish Gel – Made with Salicylic Acid and oil-controlling Absorbex™ Complex, this product helps neutralize any extra sebum. It also helps prevent future outbreaks in the same area and minimizes redness. www.esteelauder.com
Face Solutions by Georgia Acosta – based insane Francisco, this company specializes in providing high quality treatment programs for acne and other skin conditions. Face Solutions offers several different programs that last a minimum of 6 weeks each, based upon their recommended treatment applications. Each program along with its contents is below. For more information visit: www.facesolutions.com
Program A - For active skin conditions, Age 14 to 19:Mud wash cleanser for oil skin, Acne aid soap, Blue lotion toner, Moisturizer with glycolic acid 8 percent, Hydrant essence, Moisturizer with SPF 15, Corrective toner
Program B - For acne and oily skin condition, Age 20 and above:Medicated BPO 10% acne wash, Glycolic acid clarifying tonic, BPO Gel 5 percent, Hydrant essence, Lyphazome, Corrective Toner
Program C - For combination skin / looking fresh and glowing:Gel cleanser, Blue lotion toner, Moisturizer with glycolic acid 8 percent, Hydro driver moisturizer, Ultra sun protection
Program D - For dry skin. Avoid premature aging:Cosmetic soap, Blue lotion, Collagen cream with glycolic acid 8 percent, Hydrant essence, Vitamin C cream with RNA / DNA, Eye toner
Greenlee Powerwash for Acne - PowerWash is specially formulated with from Greenlee’s Goat Milk Soap and blended with tea tree oil. This powerful combo punches out acne by unclogging pores and stopping acne outbreaks. Use twice a day for best results. Another super acne product of there is called Zap! It’s a topical spray that dries and shrinks blemishes so that skin regains its health. www.greenleenaturalproducts.com
Lancôme Extra Controle – This is an Acne Treatment Matifying Solution in a gel lotion form that helps clear up acne, prevents breakouts and provides all day oil (shine) control. The product is oil-free, non-aggravating. It gently exfoliates skin, leaving it clear, clean, smooth. Another item in this product line, called Lancôme Pur Controle, is a Purifying Foaming Mousse that dissolves excess oils, makeup and other harmful substances that can clog pores. www.lancome.com
M.D. Forté – This is a comprehensive Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) skin care system. The system has specialized products to help with cleansing, renewal, hydrating, protection and special care like for acne treatment. Their products are reported to have up to 2-3 times as much Glycolic Acid than other products in similar price ranges. www.mdforte.com
MagicClear – This Teenage Acne Treatment was specifically created for teenage acne by an esthetician for her teenage son. An effective over the counter acne treatment, it is sold exclusively on the Internet and via mail order. It can be used by all age groups, too. www.magicclear.com
Murad Acne Complex Kit – This acne treatment skincare kit helps control acne flair-ups, and heal and hydrate skin. Active ingredients are Retinol, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, antibacterial agents and antioxidants. The treatment process exfoliates dead surface skin cells and decreases over supply of oil while destroying harmful bacteria.
One kit generally comes with a two-month supply of: Clarifying Skin Cleanser, Acne Prone Skin Formula, Skin Perfecting Lotion, and sometimes a free gift: Acne Management Formula. They also sell Pure Skin® Skin Clarifying Supplement and Age Proof Oil Free Sunblock SPF 15 for Face. www.murad.com
Origins Spot Remover – This acne treatment’s active ingredients include Salicylic Acid oregano and clove buds. This will not dry out your skin causing it to flake, while it dries up your acne problems. It’s noted for speedy healing and reduced redness, especially for those with sensitive skin. Simply coat targeted acne area with thin layer. That’s it. Use only ONCE a day at first. Then increase to 2 to 3 times daily, as needed. IF dryness or flaking begins, reduce applications. You can use makeup or other skincare products with it, too. “It's invisible!” www.origins.com
Oxy Balance Acne Treatment – available over the counter at most drug stores, this 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Lotion Acne Treatment is highly effective against eliminating pimples and helping to prevent future breakouts. The product also kills harmful bacteria that causes acne and helps control oil.
Proactiv Solution – This is a 3-step treatment program. The steps with their products follow along with some recommended supplemental treatments. www.proactiv.com
Step 1. Renewing Cleanser - This oil-free formula is made up of small, smooth grains that gently exfoliate dead skin cells and other impurities. It also has prescription-grade Benzoyl peroxide that seeps into pores, destroying bacteria and healing blemishes in a hurry.
Step 2. Revitalizing Toner - This is noted as a refreshing, alcohol-free liquid with botanical agents that removes dead skin cells, gently balance skin tone, unplugs pores, helps with excess oil ridding, and overall soothes skin. Results are refreshed skin.
Step 3. Repairing Lotion – This light, oil-free lotion is made up of fine milled prescription-grade Benzoyl peroxide that heals blackheads and blemishes. It also helps with the prevention of future flair-ups. An advanced delivery system in Repairing Lotion is noted as being "soothing and safe for your entire face.”
Supplemental products include: Oil-Free Moisture with SPF 15. This lite lotion leaves your skin soft, but not greasy-feeling. Specially formulated for acne skin types, this product doesn’t clog pores. It also boasts SPF 15 for sun protection. Another supplemental product is called Daily Oil Control – This product helps skin glow, instead of shine with excess oil. It also helps keep pores from clogging and makeup (and other skin care products) from running throughout the day.
 Retin-A® - This topical treatment, Tretinoin, is used to help stop acne and help heal cases in progress. You simply apply a small amount of the liquid with cotton swabs or gauze pads to affected areas before going to bed. (NOTE: make sure to wash hands after applying.) AVOID any product near the eyes, mouth and around any open cuts; this can be very irritating for sensitive skin. It is not unusual for acne to worsen after the first use. Just continue, as it may be anywhere from three to six weeks before positive results show. Caution: Using Retin-A more frequently or in excessive amounts may increase side effects (NOT increase acne healing)! Side effects can include: skin stinging or redness, skin peeling and increased sun sensitivity. If any persist, contact your healthcare provider. See package instructions for more details about product usage and care instructions.
SONYA DAKAR ACNE SKIN SOLUTION™ - This company has a line of acne fighting and scarring treatment products including: Wash Decongesting, Scrub, Toner, Protect, Repair, Hydrate, Acne Treatments, Acne Fighter, Drying Potion, Complexion
Corrector, Peeling Cream, Mask and Acne Mini-Kit. The Scarring Line helps with rebuilding damaged skin cells and in speeding up the healing process. www.sonyadakar.com
Stridex – A name brand well known for acne treatment and prevention products, this line has a variety. There are Essential Care Pads, Maximum Strength Pads, Facewipes To Go and Sensitive Skin Pads for cleaning your face anytime, anywhere. And there are helpful daily and weekly products like Clear Cycle, a 7-day purifying preventative treatment; Day and Night, a pore de-clogger; Cooling Foam Wash, to rid harmful bacteria from pore areas; and Fruit Therapy, fruity pore un-clogger. www.stridex.com
The Grekin Skin Rejuvenation System – The Grekin Skin in Michigan actually has a Woman’s Acne Center and Skin Rejuvenation Clinic. Their acne prevention and treatment products include Gentle Skin Cleanser, a soap-free cleanser that gently cleanses the skin; Foaming Gentle Skin Cleanser, another soap-free cleanser that foams, and it contains glycolic acid; Active Skin Cleanser, made for oily or acne-prone skin; Blemish Control Solution, for active blemishes and inflammation due to flair-ups and Refirming Gel Moisturizer, with ½ percent Hydrocortisone. They also offer Hydrating Cream Antioxidant, to help replenish nutrients; Oxygenating Natural Serum, a non-greasy skin renewing treatment; and Viennese Repair Crème, to rejuvenate the skin. Sign up for their mailing list and keep informed of updates: http://grekinskininstitute.com.
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