Acne Medicine Comparisons

When it comes to medicine to treat your acne, you've got quite a few choices--enough so that dermatologists can treat almost every acne outbreak, no matter how severe, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. For mild acne, over-the-counter products plus a good cleansing routine may be enough, while moderate and severe acne sufferers may need help from their dermatologists.

Causes

Acne results from a combination of three important factors, according to the Mayo Clinic. First, your skin's sebaceous glands, which produce sebum oil in response to hormonal signals, begin to produce excess sebum. Next, your skin begins to shed too many skin cells, which can irritate and clog delicate hair follicles. Finally, acne-causing bacteria begin to reproduce too fast, causing acne-related infection. Most acne medicines work on only one of these causes, although there are some that target several.

Over-the-Counter Products

Drugstore counters abound with acne-fighting products, but not all are created equal, according to the AAD. Many contain benzoyl peroxide, a very effective ingredient that kills acne-causing bacteria and also helps to remove dead skin cells, preventing them from clogging pores. Salicylic acid-containing products also remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, and the AAD considers them effective. Other products contain alcohol and acetone, which help to dry skin and kill bacteria. However, the AAD cautions that little research has been done on the ingredients in products labeled "herbal" and "organic."

Topical Prescriptions

If your acne fails to respond to over-the-counter medications, your next step may be to visit your dermatologist and get a prescription-strength topical medication. These fall into two main categories: antimicrobials, which combat bacterial infection in acne, and topical retinoids, which help to clear pores by encouraging new skin cells to form, according to the AAD. Effective antimicrobials include azelaic acid, the antibiotic clindamycin and sodium sulfacetamide. Retinoids, which are versions of vitamin A, include tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene.

Oral Medications

If your acne worsens or resists topical prescription medicines, your dermatologist may turn next to an oral acne medication, according to the AAD. Oral antibiotics such as erythromycin and tetracycline can fight the bacteria found in inflamed acne lesions. If you're a woman with bad acne, you may receive a prescription for oral contraceptives, which fight acne by regulating the hormones that cause too much skin oil production. And for severe cystic acne, you're likely to receive a prescription for oral isotretinoin, another retinoid. Isotretinoin works extremely well to fight acne because it's the only acne medication that fights all causes of acne at once. However, it also can cause some severe side effects.

Considerations

Depending on how stubborn your acne turns out to be, you may need to try several medications before one works well for you. Regardless, the AAD notes that proper skin care can help to heal your acne lesions and prevent new ones. Wash with a gentle cleanser once or twice a day, and don't pop your existing lesions or you'll risk infection.