What is the Best Acne Medication for You?

You want to do what's best for your complexion, but there are enough acne products out there to make your head spin. Most, however, contain the same active ingredients repackaged under different brand names. To choose the best acne medication for you, you need to take a look in the mirror and assess your condition:

Mild acne. Lucky you! You get the odd blemish and might get a pimple now and then. Pimples clear up quickly in under a week and are not deep and painful. You may have blackheads and whiteheads. If this sounds like you, the best acne medication for you is a topical gel containing 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. Do not use anything stronger as it will irritate your skin and does not do a better job. For an extra punch use a salicylic acid cream at the same time to allow the benzoyl peroxide to penetrate more deeply into your clogged pores. Use this combination treatment twice per day.

Moderate Acne. Not quite so lucky. You rarely have clear skin. Your pimples are deeper and more painful. They may linger for several weeks. For moderate acne sufferers, topical treatments are much less effective. You might have been prescribed oral antibiotics a few years ago, but these are no longer considered effective and contribute to antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Your best acne medications are Accutane, or holistic acne treatments. Accutane has recently been removed from the U.S. market because of its severe side effects. You should examine the holistic alternatives which can help to balance your androgen hormones (which cause acne) through changes to your diet.

Adult female acne. And you thought pimples ended in your teens, right? Sorry. The best acne treatments for adult women include holistic treatments and hormonal therapy. Birth control pills containing estrogen can reduce androgen hormone production by the ovaries. Spironolactone can also be considered. Talk to your doctor. Accutane is a last resort, but must only be taken if you are on two forms of birth control. Holistic acne treatments should be considered because they are more cost effective and work faster than any of the alternatives.

Severe Acne. Unfortunately, you know who you are if you suffer from severe acne. Topical treatments will not work for you. You have two alternatives: Accutane or holistic acne treatments. If you are willing to put up with the severe side effects, Accutane may be an effective medicine for you. Holistic treatments that affect your androgen hormones through dietary changes should be considered prior to choosing Accutane because they are cost-effective, fast acting and if they work, you will avoid the serious side effects and costs that come with Accutane treatment.

The truth is that there is not one best acne medication. Acne is a complex condition and you will probably have to go through some trial and error before you discover the best medication for you. By assessing the severity of your condition, you can shorten that time considerably.