Acne is such a skin problem that almost everyone suffers from it. In order to fight with acne, the market has wide range of acne products like cream, lotions, gels, masks and scrubs. You can find these products at your nearby pharmaceutical store or any beauty shop. Before you buy any acne product, you must know how it works in your skin and what are the ingredients of acne products.
How Acne Products Work?
The function or job of any acne product is to target the causes of acne and uproot them without damaging the skin. The hair follicles are attached with sebaceous glands. This gland secrets sebum oil so that the skin and hair are lubricated. Normally, sebum travels upwards of the hair shafts and goes out from opening of follicle and rests on the skin surface. When the body produces excessive dead skin cells and sebum, it accumulates in hair follicle so that soft plug is formed. With time, this plug enlarges thereby allowing more dead skin cells and sebum oil to accumulate. Bacteria can help in infection and inflammation and acne is caused. An acne product works by destroying P. acne or Propionibacterium acne causing acne inflammation. On the other hand, there are some acne products that helps in clearing the excess oil from skin surface so that birth of new cells occur and dead cells are removed. There are some acne products who provide the skin with a combination of all these. Depending on the type of acne you are suffering, you can choose your acne products.
Acne Products Ingredients
Depending on the active ingredients of an acne product, the end result varies. Some of the most commonly used ingredients are benzyol peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcino and sulphur, acetone and alcohol.
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- Benzyol peroxide: This is one of the most effective and useful ingredient for acne products. Benzyol peroxide destroys P. acne cell followed by removal of dead skin cells and extra oil that obstructs the pores of the skin. This ingredient is used in the quantity ranging from 2.5% to 10%. The use of benzyol peroxide sometimes causes dryness and minor swelling. Thus, after the application of acne products made from this ingredient, it is advisable to use a moisturizer.
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- Salicylic acid: This active ingredient is used in acne products in slowing the process of cell shedding. With the process becoming slow, the skin will suffer from less obstructed pores. This ingredient is also known to help in breaking down blackheads and whiteheads. After the application of this ingredient, the skin might suffer from irritation and mild stinging. This active ingredient is used in acne products within the range of .5 to 2 %.
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- Resorcinol and sulfur: These two ingredients are rarely used separately. They both work very effectively in removing excess oil and dead skin cells. If you find any acne product is made with this ingredient, it is advisable to go for a patch test as it can cause peeling and redness.
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- Acetone and alcohol: This ingredient is used in cleansing acne products and astringents. They are effective in removing oil and dirt from the skin surface. The skin might experience stinging sensation or burning.