Acne develops when dead skin cells, dried oil and bacteria cause the inner hair follicle to become gummy and plugged, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Although adolescents tend to be most prone to acne, pimples, whiteheads and blackheads can strike at any age. Products that help eliminate this common skin condition work by slowing oil production, diminishing inflammation and accelerating the turnover of skin cells. Topical acne treatments include solutions, creams and gels.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide has been a core acne treatment for more than a half century, according to the AAFP. This topical agent is available both over-the-counter and by prescription. Benzoyl peroxide is typically available in strengths ranging from 2.5 to 10 percent.
Some acne medications combine benzoyl peroxide with antibiotic medications such as clindamycin, brand names Acanya and Benzaclin. Prescription strength acne creams may cause redness, burning and stinging.
Retinoids
Retinoid creams have been used successfully to treat acne since the mid-1980's, notes the AAFP. Retionids including tretinoin, brand name Retin-A, are vitamin A derivatives that are available by prescription-only to help eliminate noninflammatory or mild to moderate inflammatory acne.
In the years since tretinoin came on the acne treatment scene new retinoids such as tazarotene, sold as tazorac have become available to help treat and mild to moderate acne.
Azelaic Acid
The FDA approved azelaic acid to treat and help eliminate acne in 1996. This antibacterial agent seems to work just as well as as benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin in treating mild to moderate acne.
Azelaic acid works to slow the abnormal shedding of skin cells and diminishes inflammation, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is contained in a number of over-the-counter acne lotions, creams and pads. It may work as well as benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of comedonal acne, which essentially consists of non-inflammatory lesions like whiteheads and blackheads. Salicylic acid is sold in concentration of 0.5 or 2 percent .
Sulfur
The use of sulfur to fight acne dates back to the time of Hippocrates according to the AAFP. Sulfur works to eliminate blackheads and whiteheads, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The potential downsides of topical acne medications that contain sulfur are the unpleasant odor and possible temporary skin discoloration.
Tea Tree Oil
Over-the-counter gels that contain 5 percent concentrations of tea tree oil may help eliminate less severe cases of acne, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A study published in January-February 2007 in the "Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprology," concluded that topical tea tree oil is an effective acne treatment. Tea tree oil may not work as quickly as benzoyl peroxide.
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