A variety of acne medicine is available for coping with this troublesome skin condition. These medicines have been grouped into categories according to the nature of their function. An account of main categories of acne medicine follows here.

Exfoliating Agents

Exfoliating means destroying the top layer of skin cells (on a microscopic scale) to prevent accumulation of dead skin cells that may block the skin pores and cause acne. Commonly used exfoliating agents are salicyclic acid and glycolic acid. Over the counter moisturizers and anti-acne topical formulas contain these chemicals.

Topical Bactericidals

In mild to moderate cases of acne, topical bacteriocidals are commonly presribed. Most of these include Benzoyl peroxide, usually available as a gel or cream for rubbing twice daily over the affected skin area. By killing the acne-causing bacteria, Benzoyl peroxide prevents the development of new lesions. An undesirable effect of using these gels and creams is their drying character which causes premature wrinkling and aging of the skin. Due to its bleaching effect, Benzoyl peroxide should not be allowd to come in contact with hair or fabric.

Topical Antibiotics

These are externally applied acne medicine including chemical formulas like erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline etc., used for killing bacteria residing in clogged hair follicles in the skin. The main advantage of topical antibiotics over oral medicine is that topicals do not upset stomach and do not interact with other drugs that are being taken orally.

Oral Antibiotics

Oral acne medicine includes tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline and so on. Two reasons make these drugs less popular. First, they do not treat the excess secretion of sebum (skin oil) which is largely responsible for acne. Secondly, they become less useful as the bacteria become resistant through their continual use.

External Retinoids

Retinoids influence the lifecycle of cells in the lining of hair follicles. This serves to prevent the accumulation of dead cells in the follicles that would ultimatley clog the follicles and cause acne. Tretinoin (Retin A), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac) are more commonly prescribed external retinoids. A side effect frequently associated with external retinoids is that they can irritate the skin to an annoying degree. Other side effects are much milder.

Oral Retinoids

These types of acne medicine work by inhibiting the release of oily secretions from glands. The most popular formula for these drugs is the Isotretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A. It is sold by brand names like Accutane, Sotret, Claravis etc. and has proved very effective in the treatment of sever acne cases.

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