How to Treat Moderate Acne Effectively
Teens that have moderate acne might overreact to their condition by purchasing OTC treatments that contain strong medicines. It is possible that your teen might need an OTC product with a strong concentration of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or other substances, but more than likely he or she will get the best effects from a mild treatment. Overmedicating can lead to unwanted side effects that, in some cases, look worse than pimples. It is, therefore, important to guide your children when choosing treatments for moderate acne to make sure they select options that will work best for them.
What Causes Moderate Acne?
Moderate acne is usually caused by bacteria living inside clogged pores. When children enter puberty, their sebaceous glands start to work overtime. This often creates an excessive amount of oil that can mix with dead skin cells to clog pores. This creates an environment that promotes bacteria growth and usually leads to a breakout of pimples.
Preventing Moderate Acne
The most effective ways to prevent moderate acne in teenagers focus on OTC treatments that clean out pores and kill bacteria. Most reliable acne products contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, two substances that have remarkable cleansing and bacteria fighting capabilities.
The problem, however, is that many teens think that stronger concentrations of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid will help them eliminate acne faster. This is not always true. Instead, it makes more sense to choose products with mild concentrations of these active ingredients. That way, teens can treat their moderate acne without experiencing side effects.
Treating Moderate Acne with OTC Products
When you are browsing OTC acne products, look for ones that contain small concentrations of benzoyl peroxide. A 2.5 percent concentration will usually work well. Anything over 5 percent, however, could cause side effects such as excessive dryness, itchiness, flaking skin, and redness. Some companies make benzoyl peroxide products that contain 10 percent concentrations. This is not the right level for someone who has just started taking acne medications. In some cases, people who try to treat moderate acne with such strong concentrations have experienced skin swelling.
If a low concentration of active ingredient does not eliminate your teens’ acne, then you can consider moving up to stronger treatments. Be sure, however, that they try the mild treatment for several months before giving up and moving on to a stronger option.
Avoiding Side Effects While Treating Mild Acne
Teenagers with sensitive skin could find that they experience side effects while using mild treatments. In most cases, the side effects are not severe. If your teen experiences any of the common side effects (dry or flaking skin are two of the most common), then use a non-comedogenic moisturizer to relieve the symptoms. These moisturizers will keep the skin healthy without clogging pores and causing more pimples.
Over time, most teens find that they can take control of their moderate acne with mild OTC products. Those with more severe cases, however, might need to visit a dermatologist for prescription medications.