Some people choose to avoid the unnatural chemicals often found in over the counter acne treatments. Instead, these people opt for home remedies, more natural acne treatments. Others don't believe that home remedies are powerful enough to fight stubborn acne. These people try more powerful acne medications. This information can help you decide which approach is right for you to become acne free.

At Home Acne Treatments

There are many at home treatments that do actually work and it's a great way to avoid unnatural chemicals often found in pharmaceutical products. Here are some ideas for home solutions for acne.

*Use essential oils at night, for example, Tea Tree Oil, Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil. Wash your face clean in the morning with pure soap and water.

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

*You can exfoliate and clear pores with an oatmeal mask once or twice a week. Cook oatmeal and while it is still warm, apply to your face, allow oatmeal to dry and then wash away.

There are many at home treatments for acne, some of which work and some which don't work. However, people with more serious acne, for example cystic acne, often choose 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. Some over the counter products work by killing Prionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacteria that cause acne inflammation. Other medications reduce sebum output and renew skin. Some products work by doing a combination of these things.

Acne medication treatments function differently depending on their active ingredient. Here are some common active ingredients that acne products contain.

*Benzoyl Peroxide kill off P. acnes, removes excess oil and dead skin cells and clears pores. Products contain different strengths shown by percentages that you can choose depending on the sensitivity of your skin.

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

*Alcohol and acetone are found in astringents and cleansing washes. They clear your skin of dirt and oil.

These products are powerful in fighting acne, but have higher risks of side effects which may include dryness, sensitivity to sun, stinging or irritation, redness or peeling.

Recently there have been many natural acne treatments developed that fight acne with great results while avoiding 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.