There are plenty of products sold for the treatment of acne, most of them without any scientifically-proven effects. However, a mixture of treatments can greatly minimize the severity and amount of acne in many cases.

It is strongly advisable to ask a dermatologist about the tradeoffs between these treatments for any individual case, especially when considering applying any of them in combination. There are several treatments that have been proven effective.

Destroying the bacteria that are gathered in the blocked follicles. This is done either by the administration of antimicrobials or by treating the afflicted patches externally with bactericidal substances like benzoyl peroxide or erythromycin. However, reducing the P. acnes bacteria will not, in itself, do anything to minimize the oil secretion and abnormal cellular behaviour that is the initial cause of the blocked follicles. Benzoyl Peroxide has the characteristic of being a strong oxidiser and does not seem to generate microbial resistance. Acne will usually reappear quite soon after the end of treatment; days later in the case of local administrations, and weeks later if oral antibiotics were used.

Reducing the secretion of oil from the glands. This is achieved by a regular oral intake of vitamin A by-products like isotretinoin (marketed as Accutane) over a period of a few months. Isotretinoin has been demonstrated to be highly effective in treating severe acne and is effective in well over 80% of patients. The drug has a much longer action than anti-microbial treatments and will usually cure acne for good. The treatment needs close medical supervision by a dermatologist because the drug has many known side effects, even some severe ones. The most common unwanted effects are nosebleed and dry skin. The drug also produces birth defects if women become pregnant while taking it or take it while pregnant. For this reason, female patients are asked to use two separate forms of birth control or vow abstinence while on the drug. For this reason, the drug is supposed to be administered as a last option after regular treatments have proven insufficient.

Exfoliating the skin. This can be done either mechanically, using a liquid scrub or an abrasive cloth, or chemically. Known chemical exfoliating agents include salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which encourage a peeling of the top layer of skin to prevent a build-up of dead skin cells which combine with dermal oil to clog pores. It also helps to clear already blocked pores.

Note that the word "peeling" is not used in the classic sense of shedding, but rather as the elimination of the top layer of dermal cells at the microscopic level. According to the type of exfoliation used, some evident flaking is possible. If you want to give them a try, moisturizers and biological acne skin care products containing exfoliating agents are commonly available over-the-counter.