The Effective Acne and Pimple Treatment
It is very crucial to use the appropriate treatment form for your skin type.
Never use cream-based products if you have oily skin. Cream-based products usually contains grease or oil and if you apply that to your oily skin, your pores are very likely to get clogged.
Please refer to the below table to know which type of treatment form is appropriate for your skin.
Skin Type |
Treatment Form |
Comments |
Sensitive/Dry Skin |
Cream type |
It’s recommended to use cream-type products if you have sensitive/dry skin since it is nondrying and it doesn’t irritate your skin. |
Oily Skin |
Gel type
Solution type |
Gel-type products have a drying effect, which is very useful for oily skin. Unfortunately, it can cause burning irritation. Mainly used with prescribed antibiotics. |
Others |
Lotion type |
Lotion type products usually contain propylene glycol which can have burning and drying effects. |
It’s very important to use the right chemical to treat your acne problem.
The table below explains to you the types of chemicals that are usually found in OTC (over the counter) acne/pimple products and the mechanism of the chemicals.
Chemical Type |
Mechanism |
Comments |
Benzoyl Peroxide |
Reduces oil on your skin surface by drying it up. |
Best used on pimples that is forming (those painful red bumps). If your skin is sensitive to Benzoly Peroxide, try Sulfur. |
Salicylic Acid |
Exfoliates your skin.
|
Best used on whiteheads and blackheads. Facial wash products that contain Salicylic Acid are great to prevent breakouts. |
Sulfur |
Sulfur’s mechanism is similar to Benzoyl Peroxide, but it also unclogs pores like Salicylic Acid. |
It’s great to get facial wash products that have Sulfur content since it helps to kill acne-causing bacteria effectively and unclogs your pores. If your skin is sensitive to benzoyl peroxide-based products, you can try Sulfur-based products. |
Triclosan |
Cleans but keeps the “good oil” in your face. It also kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation. |
Triclosan is never used as a spot-treatment. It is an active ingredient that is usually used in facial cleanser products. If your face frequently gets blackheads or whiteheads, it’s best to use products that have Salicylic Acid or Sulfur. If pimples or acne are the problem, then use facial cleansers that have Triclosan and Benzoly Peroxide as a spot-treatment. This helps to effectively kill the acne-causing bacteria. |
Alcohol and Acetone |
Acetone acts as a degreasing agent, and Alcohol as an antimicrobial agent. |
Acetone has no effect when it works alone. It is usually combined with Alcohol. |
Resorcinol |
Helps to control small acne lesions. |
Resorcinol is usually combined with Sulfur. It is commonly used in OTC products. |
It’s very unfortunate that most people do not know the difference between the chemicals and their mechanism. I’ve seen people who used Salicylic Acid for their pimples when they are supposed to be using Benzoyl Peroxide.
Use Benzoyl Peroxide, Tricolsan-based facial foam, or Sulfur when pimples are forming (those painful, red bumps) or you’re suffering from acne.
Unfortunately, it takes at least 2-3 weeks to see the miracle effects of Benzoyl Peroxide.
Note: Benzoyl Peroxide can (ironically) cause more pimples or worsen breakouts due to its extremely drying effects.
Also, the strength level of Benzoyl Peroxide makes no difference. In a recent study, it’s proven that 2.5% is as effective as 10%. And 2.5% strength is less drying and you will less likely to experience any side-effects.
Lastly, Benzoyl Peroxide can bleach your fabric.
So avoid having any of your fabrics come into contact with it!
Salicylic Acid is good for preventing pimple breakouts or when pimples are still in the early stage – the whitehead and blackhead stage.
Sulfur is good for preventing pimple and acne breakouts.
If you're looking for something that get rids of your new/old pimple within a day; then check Zeno Hot Spot Blemish Clearing Device
Choosing the right treatment form and the right type of chemical is very important or it will be no different from not seeking treatment.
Now you need to know that there are certain ingredients that are comedogenic (produce or aggravate acne by clogging pores).
I’m sure you’ve heard of Oil Therapy for skin care. Unfortunately, many people do not know that most skin-care oil products that are selling on the supermarket shelves are comedogenic! Take Cocoa Butter for example. Cocoa butter’s comedogenicity level is very high! It can clog your pores very easily and aggravate pimple or acne breakouts.
Yet, they are added to “scar serums” and skin repair products!
Now that you know the right treatment type, I will tell you the secret to:
- stops excess oil production on your face,
- clears acne and pimples quickly,
- and never had to experience an outbreak again!
Next Article: The Cure To Pimple Outbreaks and Acne Outbreaks
