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If you are one of the 85% of Americans suffering or having suffered from acne at one point in their lives, you probably have tried a number of different over the counter (OTC) products. OTC products are of a strength to relieve mild acne and are available in cleansers, exfoliating scrubs, lotions, creams and gels. Unfortunately, there are still no simple over the counter acne pills to take.

If even the top over the counter acne medications aren't solving your acne worries, you probably have a more severe form of acne. Don't give up hope. There are so many types of OTC acne treatments that one you haven't tried might just be your solution.

Over the Counter Acne Medications Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide, like other OTC medications, is used against mild and moderate acne, with improvement seen as quickly as five days. Available in varying strengths, the strongest benzoyl peroxide percentages are only available with a doctor's prescription. Gel formulations are typically the most potent.

A common side effect of benzoyl peroxide is skin dryness and irritation. To help avoid this side effect, start with a lower potency formulation (2.5%) and increase the strength (5% to 10%) as needed for acne control. Also, if the lower strengths are still too strong, you can start by applying every other day and working up to the recommended number of applications. When applying, make sure your skin is clean and dry.

As it has been discovered to produce free radicals, the major drawback of benzoyl peroxide is that it leads to cancer and causes premature aging, like persistent acne.

Free radicals ruin skin and cause premature skin aging. Damage is determined by the concentration of benzoyl peroxide and the frequency and duration of use. While moderate to severe acne will cause the skin to age quickly, the use of benzoyl peroxide will significantly increase this speed.

The skin produces hydrogen peroxide to fight each acne infection and this may continue for weeks until the infection is resolved. Hydrogen peroxide is also a free radical. Over a period of time the volume of hydrogen peroxide acts just like continual sun exposure, damaging skin components such as collagen and causing the skin to sag and wrinkle.

Additionally, the healing process of acne infections involves thousands and thousands of chemical processes. Throughout these natural processes, free radicals are released, increasing the amount of damage to the skin and other organs.

To counter free radicals, the body has antioxidants. Research is showing that severe and even moderate acne uses all of the skin's antioxidants, leaving it defenseless to fight against the free radicals formed due to normal every day body functions.

To stop skin aging, it is essential to find an acne skin care solution to stop acne (and its production of hydrogen peroxide) without creating more free radicals.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is a cream used in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. It kills acne bacteria and reduces inflammation of skin. Redness, burning and itching are low incidence with azelaic acid.

Sulfur, Sodium Sulfacetamide and Salicylic Acid

These are not as successful with treating acne as benzoyl peroxide but work well for mild acne. Side effects include the skin turning brown and some skin irritation, but markedly less than benzoyl peroxide.

Not enticed by the side effects? Don't think that there are over the counter acne treatments that work? Success is sometimes luck as everyone has different skin and responses. If your mild to moderate acne improves with an over the counter treatment but you can't handle the harsh side effects, there are also a number of natural ingredients that have the same antimicrobial and sebum stopping power.