About Acne Cream
As a parent, you want to know how acne creams work to make sure that your teen chooses an option that is both safe and effective. There are several different types of OTC acne cream options available on the market, so you will need to pay close attention to the specifics of each product. Doing so will help you and your teenager choose an acne cream that can prevent pimples without causing unwanted side effects.
Acne Cream with Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a common active ingredient that you will find in many acne creams. Companies choose to include benzoyl peroxide in their products because it fights acne and cleans pores.
When someone applies an acne cream with benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient seeps into the pores, where it can break apart that troublesome mixture of oil and dead skin cells that often leads to pimples. Benzoyl peroxide also has antibacterial properties, so it can kill acne-causing bacteria that lie at the root of your teen’s pimples.
When choosing an acne cream that contains benzoyl peroxide, you should look for options that contain fairly low concentrations. A 2.5 percent concentration is effective for most people with typical acne. Even those with extreme cases of acne can benefit from low concentration acne creams.
It is important to start with an acne cream that has a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide because your teen could experience unwanted side effects. The side effects are usually pretty mild, but they can cause some discomfort. Dry, flaking, and irritated skin are some of the most common side effects. The risk of developing these problems becomes significantly greater when someone uses an acne cream with high concentrations of benzoyl peroxide.
Acne Cream with Salicylic Acid
You and your teen will also find that some acne creams contain salicylic acid. Salicylic acid has many of the same properties that help benzoyl peroxide prevent pimples. It cleans out pores and kills bacteria, allowing skin to heal quickly.
Although these two active ingredients work in similar ways, some people find that one works better for them than the other. This often has to do with skin sensitivity, allergies, and other individual factors that can influence how your skin responds to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
Affordable Acne Cream Options
The prices of acne cream products can vary greatly, even when they contain the same active ingredients. Sometimes the price of one product is higher than the price of another because it contains additional ingredients that improve one’s complexion and skin tone. An expensive acne cream might, for instance, contain herbal extracts and antioxidants.
Some acne creams charge high prices to attract a certain segment of consumers. A higher price does not always mean a better product, so be sure to compare the products before making a purchase.
You can also read reviews of popular acne creams and other acne products to help you make a decision. There are numerous websites that give consumers the opportunity to write about their experiences with OTC acne products.