Adapalene - Differin
What is adapalene?
It is produced under the brand name of "Differin." It's a gel that is applied once daily.
How can Differin help me?
Differin gel reduces the accumulation of your skin cells inside the follicle which plug the pores.
What should I know when taking Differin?
Less than 40% of sufferers experience dryness, redness, itchiness, scaling, or burning.
Azelaic Acid - Azelex
What is Azelaic Acid?
It's produced under the brand name of "Azelex." This is a cream which contains 20% azelaic acid. Azelex is usually applied twice a day.
What can it do for me?
Azelaic acid is believed to assist your skin for renewing itself faster and preventing the creation of cells which may plug pores; thus, azelaic acid reduces blackhead and pimple development. Plus, it helps to destroy the bacteria which cause acne.
What should I know when I take Azelex?
Its side effects are often mild and brief. The most commonly known side effects in a small percentage of patients are stinging, itching, burning, and tingling.
Benzoyl Peroxide
What is benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide can be bought through prescriptions and in over-the-counter medications. It's an anti-bacterial agent that is available through these brand names: Clearasil Ultra and Triaz.
What can it do for me?
Benzoyl peroxide destroys the bacteria which causes acne. In addition, it causes a drying and peeling effect that is believed to assist in preventing breakouts.
What should I know when taking benzoyl peroxide?
Approximately less than 5% of sufferers experience an allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide and severe crusting or a case of inflammation of their skin. Benzoyl peroxide may bleach fabric and hair.
Clindamycin
What is Clindamycin?
Clindamycin comes as a lotion, gel, or a solution. It is applied twice a day.
What can Clindamycin do for me?
Clindamycin is an antibiotic that destroys the bacteria which causes acne.
What should I know when taking Clindamycin?
Clindamycin can cause peeling, redness, burning, itching, dryness, bloody and normal diarrhea, and colon inflammation.
Erythromycin
What is erythromycin?
Erythromycin is an antibiotic that comes in pledgets, ointment, gel, and solutions that are applied on the skin twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
What does erythromycin do?
Erythromycin is another antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing. Erythromycin sometimes is used to treat acne.
What should I know when taking erythromycin?
Always ask your doctor prior to using other products for your skin when taking erythromycin. This also goes for other prescribed medications, harsh and abrasive cleansers, over-the-counter medicines, make-up, or perfumes. People have reported burning as the number one occurring side effect. Other side effects include itching, redness, peeling, dryness, and oiliness
Isotretinoin - Accutane
What is Isotretinoin?
Isotretinoin is produced under the brand name of "Accutane." Isotretinoin originates from vitamin A which is taken in a pill for 15 to 20 weeks. Usually a doctor will prescribe isotretinoin for anyone suffering a severe case of acne and when no other treatments seem to work. 15 to 20 weeks of isotretinoin has helped sufferers with complete clearing for long periods.
What does isotretinoin do?
Isotretinoin reduces the quantity of oil created by your oil glands.
What should I know when taking isotretinoin?
When taking Accutane(or isotretinoin) in any quantity while pregnant, there exists a very high risk of having a deformed infant. Women who are pregnant or those who might become pregnant when following a treatment must not take Accutane. There are other side effects such as dry skin, dry and cracked lips, dry mouth and nose, muscle and joint aches.
Salicylic Acid
What is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is derived from the bark of the willow tree. Beta hydroxy acids have a bigger molecule as opposed to their cousin--alpha hydroxy acids.
What does Salicylic Acid do?
The bigger molecule size helps to keep the beta hydroxy acid on the skin surface, allowing it to penetrate more effectively and exfoliate inside the pore. This action inside the pores is what make it a great exfoliant for application on acne and acne-prone areas of your skin.
Who should use Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic Acid works ideally for those with on acne-prone and sensitive skin types. Patients with sensitive skin who are unable to tolerate alpha hydroxy acids might discover that they can use salicylic acid with positive results.
WARNING: Salicylic Acid to date has not been tested on pregnant women; its safety while pregnant is not known.
To learn about highly effective acne-fighting treatments read our Top 10 Best Acne Product List.
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