Acne Cleanser as a Treatment

For anyone who suffers from acne, finding the right acne cleanser can be nothing short of exhausting as you hunt through the many options on the market. The wide range of products varies from all natural treatments to over the counter products to those that require a prescription after a visit to a dermatologist. A number of factors go into finding the right acne cleanser, so trying to determine which will be the best cleanser for your skin and your case of acne can be overwhelming at times and even discouraging.

There is nothing worse than trying product after product, hoping that one of them will finally help with your acne. With a little preparation, you can narrow down your options and, hopefully, find exactly what you are looking for right way.

What’s in Acne Cleanser?

Medicated or non-medicated – Both over the counter and prescription acne cleansers can contain medication. The difference in whether a prescription is required usually has to do with what the active ingredient is as well as its concentration within the cleanser. By using a medicated cleanser, the oiliness of skin is usually reduced, which leads to a decrease in the number of pores being blocked, so less flare ups. The drawback is that these types of cleansers can be drying, so may not be a good choice for those with dry or sensitive skin.

Active Ingredients

– Different ingredients are included in different acne cleansers. In most cases, the cleanser will contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Salicylic acid

– This is often used to treat non-inflamed acne, or blackheads, whiteheads and soft closed comedones, which appear as red bumps on the skin. Treating acne at this stage can stop bacteria from attacking the blocked pores and causing an infection, leading to pimples and more severe acne. Acne cleansers that contain salicylic acid are great for exfoliating the skin. The salicylic acid can penetrate into blocked follicles and cause the blockage to break up. They keep the skin clear of dead skin cells, so breakouts can be prevented. There are many products besides acne cleansers that contain salicylic acid, but only one type of product should be used to prevent extreme drying of the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide

– This can be found in both brand name products, such as Clearasil or Proactiv, as well as generic store brands as it is an inexpensive form of treating acne. For mild to moderate cases of acne, cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide are a good starting point. The benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria responsible for many acne breakouts and also helps clear pores, so not only does it reduce the acne, it can prevent further cases. In most cases, 2.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide is included in over the counter acne cleansers. Higher levels are available, but often irritate skin. It is best to start with the lower levels and then move up if results aren’t seen after a few weeks.

What to Look for in an Acne Cleanser

While acne cleansers come in many forms, shower and bath gels, bars, etc., they all work the same way. The type of cleanser you choose really comes down to personal preference, although those with drier skin may prefer a cleansing lotion or non-foaming one as they appear to be less drying to the skin. Also, it’s important to choose the right cleanser for the job. If you are treating facial acne, be sure to choose a cleanser that is for the face and not one for the body. The skin of your face and body is much different, so body cleansers are often harsher on the face.