During your acne-prone years you'll go through a lot of different types of acne products in hopes of finding one that will work for you. This is because cosmetic companies are quick to flood the market with so many different acne products that can treat mild to moderate acne or periodic breakouts that it makes it difficult to decide. So how can you make the right choice?

Most of the time you're so overwhelmed with all the different types of acne products that you'll basically base your decision on a friend's recommendation. You'll buy whatever worked on him or her and hope that it'll do the same for you, however, you're not the same person, nor do you have the same skin care needs. So, before you grab the closest acne medication or the cheapest learn how OTC acne products work and what ingredients to look for. Once you have the basics for an acne free life you'll be equipped enough to develop a gentle skin care regimen that can treat and prevent acne breakouts.

Acne causes treated with acne products

There are several factors that may indicate signs of acne formation; however, the formation of a single pimple begins when 3 main factors coincide:

*Over-production of sebum

*Clogged pores

*Bacteria proliferation

Acne solutions: What works and why

Depending on the active ingredient contained in certain pimple products one product can be much more effective than another. Here is a short list of some of the most common active ingredients found in the majority of all skin care products.

*Benzoyl peroxide: Probably the most effective active ingredient in acne products, benzoyl peroxide kills P. acnes, helps remove excess oils from the skin and removes dead skin cells that clog pores.

*Salicylic acid: This ingredient prevents the pores from clogging. It may also break down whiteheads (clogged pores that have no opening) and blackheads (pores that are open and have a dark surface).

*Alcohol and acetone: These ingredients are often available in astringents and other cleansing washes. They are helpful in removing dirt and oils from the skin, keeping it clean and clear of acne producing elements.

*Natural ingredients: Natural ingredients gently help treat skin care concerns especially when our immune system reacts to an injury with inflammation or an inflammatory response. When this type of response occurs we try to soothe it by applying chemical laced products that can actually destroy our own skin cells and skin structures. This is why it's best to use products that contain special natural ingredients that are gentle on our skin and can restore lost skin structures.

Keep in mind that there is also a wide range of acne products that don't contain ingredients capable of treating your specific acne treatment needs.