If you're a typical teenager, you probably have acne. Most teens have some pimples, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If your acne is mild, you probably can treat it with over-the-counter products. Some of the products you might consider likely will contain the ingredient resorcinol, often in combination with other acne-fighting ingredients.
Causes
Mild acne, characterized by multiple whiteheads and blackheads along with smaller pimples, results when your skin makes too much oil. The extra oil irritates the skin and then forms clogs in your hair follicles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Acne worsens when bacterial infection takes hold, but this type of infection isn't as large a factor in mild cases of acne that you can treat with over-the-counter medications.
Function
Resorcinol, which you can use to treat acne as well as psoriasis, eczema and even callouses, works by breaking down pore blockages and scaly skin, according to the website Drugs.com. Resorcinol works well to control the smaller pimples found in mild acne, because it can open up your blocked pores and allow the pimples to subside. Makers of over-the-counter acne products often combine resorcinol with sulfur, an acne-fighting ingredient that combats oily skin and also helps to open up your pores.
Uses
All over-the-counter resorcinol-based products are designed for application directly to your skin. You should use an over-the-counter acne product with resorcinol as the package directs. Avoid getting the product in your eyes, nose or mouth. Possible side effects, which are rare, include changes in your breathing or heart rate, weakness, headache or vomiting, according to Drugs.com. The risk of these increases if you apply too much of the product to your skin.
Results
Products that feature resorcinol include Clearasil Adult Care and Clearasil Medicated Blemish Cream, Rezamid Acne Treatment Lotion and Acnomel Vanishing Cream. All of these also contain sulfur. On the website Acne.org, products containing resorcinol and sulfur generally get high marks for treating acne, although users reported that some of the products tended to dry the skin too much.
Considerations
Regardless of which over-the-counter product you choose to treat your acne, you need to keep in mind that successful acne treatment takes patience and time. You'll need up to eight weeks to see real results, and the first treatment you try may not work regardless of whether it contains resorcinol, according to the AAD. In addition, pay careful attention to your skin-care regimen, making sure to wash thoroughly but not to scrub your skin twice a day to remove dirt and excess oil.
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