Over the counter acne treatments sometimes have unnatural chemicals that certain people would like to avoid. Instead, these people opt for home remedies, more natural acne treatments. On the other hand there are those who don't believe natural home solutions are effective enough to treat stubborn acne. These people opt for stronger acne medications. Here are some tips and information so you can decide what is right for you to become acne free.

At Home Acne Treatments

There are various home treatments that are effective. Here are some tips in home acne treatments.

*Apply essential oils at night such as Tea Tree Oil, Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil. Rinse your face the next morning with gentle soap and water.

*Acne starts within the body, not just at the surface of the skin. Therefore, it is vital to drink lots of water to detoxify your body and help clear your skin.

*You can also use an oatmeal mask one or two times a week to exfoliate and clear skin. Cook the oatmeal and apply it while it's still warm, let it dry and then wash it away.

There are many at home treatments for acne, some of which work and some which don't work. Those with more serious cases of acne however, such as cystic acne, usually turn to stronger over the counter acne treatments.

Over the Counter Acne Treatments

Over the counter acne products can be very effective because they target the causes of acne. Certain products function by killing Prionibacterium acnes (P.acnes), the bacteria that creates inflammation. Other acne treatments renew skin by speeding up the growth of new skin cells and the removal of dead ones, as well as reducing sebum output. Some treatments work by a combination of these things.

Acne medication treatments work in different ways depending on their active ingredient. Here are some ingredients often found in acne products.

*Benzoyl Peroxide is very effective as it kills P. acnes as well as removes excess oil and dead skin cells that clog pores. It is available in different strengths that come in products in certain percentages.

*Salicylic Acid slows shedding of cells within hair follicles which prevents pores from clogging. It also fights whiteheads and blackheads.

*Alcohol and acetone are in astringents and cleansers. They clear your skin of dirt and oil.

These over the counter acne treatments tend to be stronger in fighting acne but they usually come with a variety of possible side effects such as dryness, sensitivity to sun, stinging or irritation, redness or peeling.

Now there are many natural options available that offer strong results while evading negative side effects. The top acne treatments is a strong but organic acne cream which is a perfect compromise between gentle home remedies that don't show results and powerful but irritating over the counter products.