Product Recommendations: Acne Treatments

Acne Treatment Products |

Because there are so many acne treatments on the market, it can be really overwhelming looking for one that suits your skin. To make your life easier, here is a list of acne treatments grouped by their active ingredient (ex. benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, etc.). The below chart also explains the pros and cons of each active used to treat acne and offers both expensive and cheap acne treatment products to help fit your budget:

ACNE TREATMENTS

Active Ingredient	Pros	Cons	Expensive	Cheap
Benzoyl Peroxide	Kills bacteria; Dries out pimple; Easily found in stores; Available in 2.5%, 5%, and 10% strengths	Can irritate skin causing redness, dryness, and peeling skin; Some people are allergic; Bleaches hair and clothing	DDF 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Gel CLEAR Extra Strength Acne Fighting Treatment (5% BP) Sage Fix Zit (5% and 10% BP)	Daniel Kern's Acne.org 2.5% BP Treatment Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 (10% BP) Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel (5% BP)
BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid; Salicylic Acid)	Exfoliates pores from the inside; Good for clogged pores and blackheads	Can make you purge; Can be hard to find one at the right pH	Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid La Roche- Posay Effaclar K Acne Treatment Fluid Unagel Calming Acne Treatment	Stridex Maximum Strength 2% BHA Alcohol-Free Pads Oil-Free Acne Stress Control® 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment (2% BHA)
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid; Glycolic Acid; Lactic Acid; Mandelic Acid)	Fades red marks and light wrinkles; May help with clogged pores and acne	Can irritate your skin; Makes you more sensitive to the sun; Some people experience purging	DDF Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Oil Control Gel Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads Garden of Wisdom 10% Mandelic Acid Serum	Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Gel Paula's Choice 8% AHA Gel Daniel Kern's Acne.org AHA+ (10% AHA) Reviva Labs Glycolic Acid Toner
Sulfur	Dries up pimples; Can calm redness	Can be too drying; Smells bad	DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask Mario Badescu Drying Lotion Mario Badescu Drying Cream DHC Acne Spot Therapy	Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque Bye Bye Blemish Drying Lotion Prosacea
Tea Tree Oil	Antibacterial and antiseptic; Not as irritating as benzoyl peroxide	Stinks; May burn your skin if you use it full strength	Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick Gowoonsesang Oil Control Intensa The Body Shop Tea Tree Cleansing Wipes	Jason Natural Cosmetics Tea Tree Oil Dessert Essence Organic Tea Tree Oil
Clays
Retinoids	Check here for retinoids product recommendations.

The above acne treatment products are ones that generally get good reviews from people who use them. However, this doesn't mean that a product listed above will automatically work for your acne. You will still have to see how your skin responds to each acne treatment before you ultimately find the one that clears your skin.

This is a growing list of acne treatment product recommendations. It will be continually updated when there are new products, so please check back often!

Last updated: February 27, 2011