Acne is the number one skin condition in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). It can produce skin blemishes in the form of pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. While acne is often associated with adolescence, blemishes can develop at any age. Bacteria, blocked pores, inflammation and an oversupply of oil all appear to play a role in the formation of acne. A number of topical and oral remedies are available to help get rid of blemishes.
OTC Acne Creams
Over-the-counter acne creams and gels that are applied to the skin are the most common treatment for the blemishes produced by mild acne, according to the AAD. Topical acne medications are made to be applied on all acne-prone areas of the skin, not exclusively on individual lesions. This may help to prevent additional lesions from forming.
Many OTC acne medications contain benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide may effectively remove blemishes by destroying acne bacteria and by unclogging oil gland pores, according to Skin Care Guide.com.
Temporary side effects associated with OTC acne treatments including dryness, flaking and irritation.
Tea Tree Oil
Over-the-counter gels that contain 5 percent tea tree oil may be effective treatment options for mild to moderate acne, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tea tree oil may take longer to work than do OTC products with benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient, and may cause mild skin irritation in some people.
Prescription Creams
Tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, Renova), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage) are vitamin A derivatives known as retinoids that may help clear blemishes by promoting cell turnover and preventing plugging of the hair follicles.
Skin Care Guide.com says these prescription-only topical medications are the most effective type of medications for unclogging the pores of oil glands that can lead to a reduction in blemishes.
Prescription topical acne treatments may cause burning, peeling and redness.
Topical Antibiotics
A number of topical antibiotics also are available to treat blemishes. For example, Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) says prescription medications such as clindamycin (Cleocin) or erythromycin (E.E.S granules, E.E.S. filmtab) are applied directly to the skin, usually twice daily. They work by killing excess skin bacteria.
Oral Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics including doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx ) and tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Panmycin). may be prescribed by your doctor to reduce skin bacteria and inflammation, according to HUHS. Oral antibiotics are the first line of care in managing moderate to severe acne, acne that is resistant to topical treatment and blemishes that cover large areas of the body.
Combination Therapy
In some cases, both oral and topical products are necessary to achieve optimal results. A number of benzoyl peroxide and antibiotic combination medications are available, including benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin (Benzaclin, Duac, Acanya) as well as erythromycin (Benzamycin).
