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The Newest Treatments for Acne

New treatments for acne are always on the horizon. With some of the world’s best scientists looking for a true acne cure, they’re bound to find many acne treatments along the way. Here’s a quick rundown of the newest and best acne treatment products on the market. If any of these products sound like a solution for you, talk with your doctor or dermatologist about getting a prescription.

Acanya®
2.5% benzoyl peroxide with 1.2% clindamycin

While benzoyl peroxide can be irritating and damaging when used for prolonged periods of time, it is often the best ingredient for use on severe or persistent acne. 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is the best concentration for use on severe acne, as higher concentrations aren’t more effective and may cause excessive irritation, such as itching and redness. Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic that has been shown to have exceptional anti-acne abilities, especially when used in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide.

Atralin®
.05% tretinoin with hyaluronic acid

Tretinoin, an acid form of vitamin A, is a common yet aggressive adult acne treatment, more commonly known by Retin-A® or other brand names. Tretinoin is also used to treat signs of sun damage, visible signs of aging, stretch marks, and even some forms of cancer. Tretinoin is known to be drying to the skin, which can cause discomfort such as itching. However, this new tretinoin acne treatment also contains hyaluronic acid, a potent hydrator. Hyaluronic acid is able to attract and hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it ideal for combating the drying actions of tretinoin.

Dapsone®
topical anti-inflammatory

Dapsone is a clear gel that helps reduce the inflammation caused by acne. It may be used alone or in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide for maximized results. Dapsone is unique in that it focuses on inflammation rather than killing bacteria or boosting exfoliation, making it a great new tool in any acne-fighting arsenal. While it takes 12-14 weeks to see results, the improvement is truly worth the wait. Plus, unlike some acne products, Dapsone will not make acne worse before it gets better, which makes those 12-14 weeks a little easier to live through.

Evoclin®
Clindamycin foam

Perfect for mixing with shaving cream, Evoclin uses antibacterial clindamycin to kill acne-causing bacteria while you shave. Ideal for on-the-go men, Evoclin will work to clarify the complexion without adding an extra step to your daily skin care regimen.

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Acne and Makeup

It’s a classic catch-22: wearing makeup causes breakouts, which makes you use more makeup. This cycle can both cause and aggravate acne, which leaves you feeling aggravated. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution. Creating a pure beauty care routine will help prevent acne cosmetica, the fancy name for acne caused by cosmetics. Building a pure cosmetic regimen is actually easier than you think. All it takes is the desire for clear skin and some diligent label-reading.

Acne Cosmetica
Before delving into what makes a makeup product pure, let’s take a look at acne cosmetica. When a makeup product is applied, it doesn’t adhere to the application area to sit for the day. It actually migrates into the low areas (the pores), just like water to a drain. If your makeup cosmetic contains comedogenic ingredients, the formulation can clog the pore, resulting in makeup-caused acne. Acne cosmetica can appear just like traditional acne blemishes, or it can simply look like a fine rash. If you experience either form, be sure to discontinue the use of the offending product immediately.

Comedogenics
Most people, especially acne sufferers, believe that all oils are comedogenic. Surprisingly, that is not the case! Many oils, including essential oils, petroleum products, sunflower oil and mineral oil, are non-comedogenic and safe for use on acne-prone skin. On the flip side, lanolin and isopropyl myristate are two common comedogenic ingredients used in beauty makeup products. If you’re unsure about a product’s ingredients, check the label for “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic” markings. These two phrases indicate that the product in question is probably ok to use on acne-prone skin.

Shimmer
Many skin care makeup products add a little shimmer, glimmer or shine to your look. The ingredient that makes this happen is usually mica, a very common mineral often used in mineral makeup formulations. Although natural and gentle, mica features a jagged shape that can cause irritation or pore clogging. If your mica-infused beauty care product is causing issues, trying switching to a shimmer-free formulation, or finding a glimmering product that uses something other than mica to provide you with the glow you desire.

Red Dye
We’ve all been told that red dye is bad for our health, but it can be bad for our skin, too! Most red dyes used in cosmetic products, such as blush, eye shadows and lip products, are actually comedogenic coal derivatives. Don’t like the idea of slathering coal on your face? Try using carmine, a natural and gentle red hue that’s been used since the Aztecs.

Texture
When it comes to keeping your skin free of acne blemishes, texture matters! Cream formulations are more likely to contain comedogenic ingredients, which makes them more likely to cause acne. Even if a cream formula is non-comedogenic, the thicker, heavier texture can feel uncomfortable to some acne sufferers. If you’re trying to prevent acne, look for powder or gel formulations.

source:flickr by:erix!Acne-Causing Medications

Acne-Causing Medications

Some acne breakouts have surprising causes, such as prescription medications. Even if your medical condition is not acne-related, the medication prescribed to treat the condition may trigger a blemish outbreak. If nothing seems to be helping and you’re at a loss for how to get rid of acne, your prescription medication may be to blame.

If you suspect that your medication is causing you to break out, do not stop taking the medication! Your doctor prescribed the medicine for a reason, and a blemish or two does not justify ceasing your regimen. Take your concerns to your doctor if you’re concerned about your medication causing or exacerbating your acne. He or she may have an alternative drug that won’t leave you looking for the concealer.

When experiencing medication-related breakouts, your normal acne treatment regimen should suffice. However, sufferers of mild to moderate acne may need to amp up their treatments for acne to combat worsening breakouts. Simply using a higher concentration of your active ingredient of choice may provide the results you’re looking for. Or, you can try out new acne-fighting ingredients to see what works best for you.

Here’s a general list of medications that are known to have acne as a side effect. If you are taking one of the listed drugs and experiencing unusual or worsening acne, talk with your doctor or dermatologist to see if there’s a different medication for your condition.

• Anticonvulsants – taken for epilepsy or other seizure-causing conditions, as well as bipolar disorder
• Antabuse/Disulfuram – a drug used to enforce sobriety in alcoholics
• Corticosteroids – used to treat asthma and chronic lung diseases
• Immuran – an immunosuppressant often used before organ transplant
• INH/Isoniazid – used to treat tuberculosis (TB)
• Quinine – used to prevent and treat malaria
• Thyroid medications – taken to stimulate the thyroid gland