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- Over-the-counter acne products: What works and why
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Over-the-counter acne products: What works and why
Many acne products are available in pharmacies and drugstores. Find out how they differ, what main ingredients to look for and how to use these products for best results.
By Mayo Clinic staffMany over-the-counter (OTC) acne products are available to treat mild to moderate acne or periodic breakouts. But with so many acne products lining store shelves, how do you know which one is best for you?
Before you grab whatever package is closest, learn how OTC acne products work and what ingredients to look for. Then, develop a gentle skin care regimen to treat and prevent acne breakouts.
Acne products target causes
Your hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily substance known as sebum to lubricate your hair and skin. Sebum normally travels up the hair shafts and then out through the opening of the hair follicle onto the surface of your skin.
When your body produces an excess amount of sebum and dead skin cells, they can accumulate in the hair follicle and form a soft plug. As the plug enlarges, the follicle wall can rupture, allowing more oil and skin cells to accumulate. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in acne.
Some OTC acne products work by killing Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacteria that cause acne inflammation. Other acne products remove excess oils from the skin or speed up the growth of new skin cells and the removal of dead skin cells. And in some cases, acne products work by doing a combination of these things.
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