Acne Product Reviews & Reports

Posts Tagged ‘natural treatments’

Several of todays poular acne cream treatments contain either retinoids or antimicrobials. Antimicrobials inhibit or kill acne causing bacteria. On the other hand, retinoids, derived from Vitamin A, unclog pores and stop the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. Below are some examples of these.

Topical Antimicrobials

· Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic. Clindamycin lessens inflammation and reduces acne. Clindamycin has been proven to be safe and well tolerated. However, it may cause side effects such as skin dryness or irritation. It can decrease the bacterial resistance that often occurs when antibiotics are used.

· Erythromycin has both antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory properties. 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 also decreases bacterial resistance caused by using antibiotics.

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.

· The first retinoid produced for topical (applied to skin) use was Tretinoin. 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.

The result – 82% of niacinamide patients showed improvement as compared to only 68% of clindamycin patients. Niacinamide is the preferred choice because it doesn’t diminish bacterial resistance, as Clindamycin is widely known for.

4% Niacinamide creams/gels are one of the best acne treatments available for moderate to inflammatory acne. Some of the advantages are the following.

· It is safe and natural to keep using it for as long as necessary.
· Niacinamide won’t cause your skin to develop a bacterial resistance, which most antimicrobials do.
· It is perfect for those who have sensitive and/or dry skin and can’t tolerate retinoids very well.

Additionally, a 4% Niacinamide cream (such as Acnessential brand) can be applied alongside retinoids and antibiotics, or on its own.

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

Free Ebook On Acne 

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