Selling acne products is like selling gold, it’s a lucrative market for retailers. As a result there are literally thousand of Acne treatments/products available.
A lot of these acne products do not work and would be better used cleaning the inside of your oven. I have spent lots of my hard earned cash buying acne products online, I found out the hard way. I use to spend around £100 ($200) a month buying acne products online.
I now realise I was crazy to spend so much. Cheaper and even free acne treatments are just as effective, if not better. In this post I will try to separate the wheat from the chaff (good from the bad).
In no particular order:
- 1. Accutane (Roaccutane), Isotretinoin – The Holy Grail of acne treatments for so many people. People write to me saying they were plagued with acne for years but after taking Accutane they have not had a spot since. You will need to be prepared for at least two to seven months treatment and monthly blood tests. Accutane is a powerful drug with potentially serious side effects. You will need to be prescribed this drug by a dermatologist - do not buy this drug online. Read more about Accutane’s side effects.
- 2. Benzoyl Peroxide Cream – a handy little cream which you should be able to buy at your local chemist, supermarket or online. Benzoyl Peroxide is an ingredient often found in Neutrogena, Clearasil and Oxy products. You can also get Benzoyl Peroxide Cream as a prescription. Usually comes in three different strengths, 2.5%, 5% and 10%. Side effects include dry and slightly peeling skin, so a good moisturiser would complement this treatment. Please be warned: Benzoyl Peroxide bleaches your clothes.
- 3. Antibiotics (Such as Tetracycline, Minocycline, Doxycycline) – taken in pill form, up to four times a day (usually twice a day) and can work wonders for mild acne. You can only get antibiotics from your GP. Antibiotics work by getting rid of the bacteria in and around your skin. Please be warned: antibiotics may lessen the effectiveness of birth control pills.
- 4. Proactiv Solution - three step solution that can heal current spots and help prevent new ones from forming. Three steps include: Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner and Repairing Lotion (contains Benzoyl Peroxide). Proactiv has been endorsed by many celebrities including Elle Macpherson, Vanessa Williams and Stephanie Seymour. Proactiv is considered the number one selling acne treatment in America. Proactiv is quite expensive and has a strong smell so it might not be suitable for everyone.
- 5. Retin A (Tretinoin) – a form of vitamin A and works best for mild acne (whiteheads and blackheads). You can buy Retin A online and obtain as a prescription. Tretinoin can also be used to treat wrinkles. Your skin will be irritable (peeling skin) while taking this treatment so a good moisturiser is a must.
This post is part of a group writing project - Thank you Darren from ProBlogger.net for giving me the motivation to get off my backside and post some content.