Acne, sometimes known as Zits, is a menace to people who suffer from this condition; however, medical science continues to look at new remedies.

The number of people afflicted around the world is huge so science research is making advances; these days, even with serious cases, there are many skin care treatments available. Despite the number of acne skin care products currently available on the market, they are broadly categorized into three distinctly separate groups:

*Those that help prevent the condition
*Those available at a drugstore or over-the-counter
*Prescription: Dermatologist or Doctor, specialist cream or ointment

Those that fall into the preventative category are based around general skin conditioning to help stop acne from forming; this sector deals with skin creams, lotions and cleansers that can help stop the problem. Many people use products similar to this every day as part of their skin care regime; often this is irrespective of whether or not there is a problem condition.

Other acne skin care products, like skin cleansers for instance, are more specific about their job; they ensure the facial pores (and other areas) remain free of oil. Excess oil needs to be stopped from clogging the pores as this oil make it easier for bacteria to grow, exacerbating the condition.
This type of skin care treatment also includes those which exfoliate such as skin peels; these are easily obtainable in any drug store. They work by reducing oil plus other contaminants from the skin and in the pores; this can reduce harmful bacteria and stop their chance of growth.

There is a huge market for these types of acne skin care products as they don't require a consultation with a dermatologist. Treatments that are effective contain the ingredients benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid; these include products which extract the unwanted oil from the skin.

Dermatologists recommend any product should have low concentrations of the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide (no more than 5.5 parts per hundred) if there is an adverse reaction; if a reaction occurs, a cleaner or cream containing alpha hydroxy acid should be safe. Because we all have different types of skin, more than one type of acne skin care products may need to be tried; if finding something that works is proving difficult, your dermatologist should be able to help. Products that your dermatologist or doctor will recommend will only be available on prescription, they may include a course of antibiotics or topical ointments.

In more serious cases your skin care specialist may decide that a small surgical procedure can be used to remove the oil and infection from your pores; however, sufferers are warned never to attempt this as it could lead to serious skin problems. Hormone treatment might be suggested as hormone changes can cause skin problems; hormone changes are known to be one cause of acne. Positive research means that a sufferer does not have to put up with this condition anymore.