Acne affects almost 17 million people in the United States. Accordingly, pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies have targeted this large market by developing a vast range of skin care products to clean and clear your skin of acne.

Here, we'll touch on fads, brand names, types of acne products and what ingredients should be found in the best acne products to help you get a handle of that daunting cleansers aisle. After reading, you should have a general idea of the non acne medication options available.

Over the Counter Acne Products

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide, one of the most used over the counter acne solutions, prevents acne by killing the bacteria P. acnes and by removing extra skin. The P. acnes bacteria cannot withstand aerobic (with oxygen) environments. By putting oxygen into the follicle, benzoyl peroxide destroys the bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide can cause drying and flaking of the skin, as well as some level of damage to skin structures due to its creation of free radicals. The infomercial fad Proactiv's main product line uses solutions of benzoyl peroxide.

Salicylic Acid

Pimple products containing salicylic acid help the skin shed excess skin cells more effectively, reducing the availability of those skin cells to combine with sebum and create pore-blocking keratin. Salicylic acid tends to work well as the main ingredient of whitehead and blackhead products. Popular brands that use salicylic acid include Noxzema, Oxy and Stridex.

Alcohol and Acetone

Alcohol and acetone are typically found together in oily skin acne treatments as toners and astringents. The acetone reduces oil found on the skin while the alcohol helps to moderate the amount of bacteria.

Sulfur and Resorcinol

Sulfur and resorcinol are also usually sold together as an acne product. The reason that sulfur works, even though it has been in use for more than 50 years as a way to becoming acne free, has still not been agreed upon by scientists. Resorcinol prevents whiteheads and blackheads by removing excess dead skin cells. The Clearsil 'Medicated' Blemish line utilizes resorcinol and sulfur.

Natural Acne Products

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil works as an antimicrobial when applied topically to the skin. The skin can initially be quite sensitive to tea tree oil so application should begin in low concentrations, diluted with water or aloe vera gel.

Licorice Root Extract

Licorice root extract is an antibacterial and kills the P. acnes bacteria. It also works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antioxidant and inhibitor of sebum.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antiseptic that also contains sulfur.

Alpine Willow Herb Extract

In addition to being an antiseptic, this extract is a botanical source of keratolytic salicylic acid.

Helix Aspersa Muller Glycoconjugates

All top acne products, not exclusively natural treatments, should include this miracle ingredient. It stimulates skin cell reparation (especially beneficial if you should be tormented by acne scars) and helps to moderate the body's inflammatory response to infection. This cuts down on the number of damaging chemicals released by the body's white blood cells as they fight foreign entities, protecting the adjacent healthy skin against unnecessary injury. It also enzymatically breaks down excess skin, preventing further pore blockage, and disinfects the skin without causing dryness.