Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the United States. Breakouts are caused by fluctuating hormone levels, bacteria in the skin, and dirt and oils produced by glands in the hair follicle. Considering that about 60 million Americans have acne, according to the Acne Resource Center, it's not surprising that acne treatment is so well studied.
What Is Acne
Acne is a lesion on the skin caused when the pores become clogged with dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells or oil. The treatment for blackheads, whiteheads, pustules or any other kind of lesion is the same. Treatment begins to differ based on the severity of the breakout. Mild to moderate acne can be easily treated at home, but severe acne might require a prescription medication with medical supervision.
Home Treatments
Most cases of acne can be treated at home. Although 20 million Americans have lesions severe enough to cause scarring, the remaining 40 million acne sufferers can successfully prevent and reduce the formation of blemishes with products available over the counter, without a doctor's prescription. The most popular home treatments for clearing and preventing acne are ordinary soap and water, and products containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid and.
How They Work
Washing skin is the first step in preventing acne and treating existing lesions. A study titled "The Effect of Morning Shower on Sebum" found that people who showered using ordinary soap and water reduced the production of sebum from the sebaceous glands for several hours compared to people who did not wash.
Applying a cream or gel contain benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that causes acne. It also dries lesions and causes dead skin cells to peel away.
Salicylic acid works like an exfoliant by cleaning pores and hair follicles. It slows the skin from shedding dead skin cells and also washes away skin cells that clog pores. Salicylic acid also reduces redness and helps shrink pimples.
Home Treatment Routine
Wash skin first thing in the morning with soap and water. Areas most prone to breakouts include the face, chest and back. But acne can appear anywhere. Use a salicylic pad to remove dirt and oil from pores. Spot-treat lesions with benzoyl peroxide. Depending on the severity of your acne, whether you have a dry or oily complexion, this treatment can be repeated two or three times daily unless irritation results.
Risks
Some people are known to develop irritation or rashes from benzoyl peroxide. The Mayo Clinic reports that the most common side effects of benzoyl peroxide are itching, scaly skin, swelling and burning.
The National Institutes of Health reports that salicylic acid should not be applied to cuts, burns or open wounds---such as popped pimples---because it can cause burning, severe irritation or infection.
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