[dropcap_1] W [/dropcap_1]e have all been there when a pimple starts to form or you discover a zit starting to poke his ugly little head out. We race to the nearest pharmacy to grab a product that will help us fight the little intruder and hopefully get rid of him fast! Then we run into a problem when we get to the store. There are just too many acne solutions to choose from the lotion to the scrub or the cleanser.

If you are like me then you may have a bunch of questions running through your mind, like; what makes them different? What makes one product better than another? What are the ingredients that fight pimlpes? Which will work for me?

To help answer these questions we will look at some of the most used active ingredients in over-the-counter topical acne remedies and with this information we should have a better understanding of how a product works. Then we may be able to determine if it will work for our specific needs.

Benzoyl Peroxide

The first ingredient we will look at is Benzoyl Peroxide. This chemical is an organic peroxide that breaks down when it comes into contact with the skin. This agent is used in mild acne lotions and creams to help dissolve and clear off dead skin cells. Benzoyl Peroxide also kills bacteria that may grow in the pores and inhibit future growth of bacteria. This ingredient acts as an antiseptic to keep the skin disinfected so it is stronger and harsher on the skin than the other chemicals available such as Salicylic acid.

Salicylic Acid

The other heavily used agent in acne products is Salicylic acid. This ingredient is an organic chemical extracted from willow trees and is used as an anti-inflammatory. It can also help to keep pores clear by encouraging the skin cells to slough off more readily. Salicylic acid also kills bacteria that can be found in the pores but to go one step further it also reduces the pores diameter to prevent future invaders from sneaking in there. This chemical isn’t as hard on the skin as Benzoyl Peroxide is, so it is recommended for those that have sensitive skin.

The big difference among the pimple treatments at the store is the amount of each chemical they use in their topical treatment. Some people have sensitive skin and using products with a higher concentrated amount of either of these active ingredients may leave their skin irritated, itchy and dry. It helps to use a small amount of the treatment if you are unsure of how your skin will respond to it. Another good idea is to use a moisturizer daily to help combat the dryness of the skin.