Choosing An Acne Topical Treatment That’s Effective

January 5th, 2009 by author

Some of the most popular acne cream products today contain either antimicrobials or retinoids. Antimicrobials, as their name suggests, kill or inhibit the production of the bacteria that cause acne. Retinoids, which are made from vitamin A, stop the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and unclog the pores. Following are examples of these.

Topical Antimicrobials

· Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic. It reduces acne and lessens inflammation. Clindamycin has been proven to be safe and well tolerated. However, it may cause side effects such as skin dryness or irritation. It decreases bacterial resistance caused by antibiotic use.

· Erythromycin’s properties are both anti inflammatory and antimicrobial. Acne cream preparations that combine erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide have been proven to be very effective. Possible side effects are irritation and dryness of the area treated. It can also decrease the bacterial resistance from antibiotic use.

Topical Retinoids

· Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid that unclogs pores and has moderate to potent anti-inflammatory properties. Dryness and minor skin irritation are possible occurences with use.

· Tretinoin was the first retinoid developed for topical use. Tretinoin is a natural retinoid which over time unclogs pores, and helps keep them unclogged. Burning, itching and redness are a few of the side effects that some users observe.

Topical Niacinamide (also called Nicotinamide)

After Vitamin-A derived retinoids, the most recent revolutionary treatment for acne comes from a substance called niacinamide. It is derived from niacin, a component of the Vitamin B complex.

In a New York University study, acne treatment and niacinamide was the subject, and 76 people were tested for the acne healing effects of 1% clindamycin gel compared to 4% Niacinamide gel. The preparations were used on moderate to inflammatory acne, twice daily for eight weeks.

RESULTS…68% of the Clindamycin patients improved, compared to 82% of Niacinamide treated patients. Niacinamide is the preferred choice because it doesn’t diminish bacterial resistance, as Clindamycin is widely known for.

Acnessential, a 4% Niacinamide cream, is one of the most effective acne cream products in the market today. Some advantages are…

· It is natural and safe to use for as long as you need it.
· It will not make your skin develop bacterial resistance unlike most antimicrobials.
· It is perfect for those who have sensitive and/or dry skin and can’t tolerate retinoids very well.

Furthermore, 4% Niacinamide cream (such as Acnessential) can be used alone or alongside antibiotics and even retinoids.

Visit acne-free-info.com for more information about niacin cream for acne.

Free Acne eBook

If you’d like further information on treating acne in general, visit http://acne-free-info.com for an ebook entitled Acne Free.

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