There are millions of people around the world who suffer with acne (Zits); fortunately treatments are improving all the time. Medical investigation and research is ongoing and making interesting discoveries; as a result there are a variety of new products available to help prevent and treat skin conditions. Despite the number of acne skin care products currently available on the market, they are broadly categorized into three distinctly separate groups: *Preventative: Creams, lotions etc. to help cleanse and tone the skin *Internet or Drugstore: Treatment to help relieve the condition *Prescription only: Requires visit to doctor.

Many skin care products are used as a measure to prevent acne; these include cleansers, make-up removers and other similar products that can help prevent the condition. Many people these days use products like this to maintain their skin; in many instances the user has never had a skin condition to worry about. Other acne skin care products, like skin cleansers for instance, are more specific about their job; they clean out the pores to help stop sebum or oil which can clog these areas. Excess oil needs to be stopped from clogging the pores as this oil make it easier for bacteria to grow, exacerbating the condition.

Exfoliation skin peels have proved quite effective as a skin care treatment and at controlling the problem; most are readily available over the counter at drug stores or even online. The peels clean the skin by removing all surface pollution and dead skin cells which can block the pores. Many different, specially formulated acne skin care products designed to reduce the problems have now been made available without prescription. Most of these creams etc. are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne); these include products which extract the unwanted oil from the skin.

Generally it is best to start using this type of product with only a small amount of benzoyl peroxide (less than 5.5 percent is recommended), just to see how the skin reacts; should a reaction occur, products containing alpha hydroxy acid are generally safer. As with any type of zit cream, you may need to try a few acne skin care products until you find one that will suit your skin; however, if nothing you try seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist. On-prescription treatments are prescribed by a dermatologist and can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical ointment.

In some case your doctor may suggest the pustules are drained of harmful contents under local anesthetic; this is not something you should ever attempt yourself. Your doctor could prescribe a hormone-based treatment to treat your skin problem; hormone changes can be responsible for acne but hormone therapy can be very effective when used under prescription. With all the treatments available, tackling acne is not that difficult as there are many new products available to help.